The Oaks Hotel

The lawn outside was immaculate, and the stained-glass window at the top of the main entrance staircase is striking. The room was quiet, the curtains kept all the light out, the heating worked, and the shower was fine. That said, the bed felt worn and sagged in the middle, with springs I could feel. There was only one pillow per person, and the chairs were past their best. The annex rooms are new, but getting to them means an epic walk up and down stairs. The hotel is a bit dated and basic, and although the pool is advertised, it costs £7 to use. We also had to wait 10 minutes for someone to come and check us in, so it felt understaffed.

The room was clean, spacious and quiet, and Mr Andrew made an already pleasant stay even better with his kind, hospitable manner. After we checked out, he even offered us tea while we waited in the lobby for a few hours. Truly excellent service.

The staff were friendly and helpful, but I wouldn’t stay again. We left a day early because the room was so hot we couldn’t sleep comfortably. Even with the window wide open, it felt like an oven, and there was no fan or AC. The water pressure was terrible, barely more than a trickle. The extractor fan was full of dust, and everything felt old and tired. The bar prices were ridiculous, similar to London. The hotel badly needs a revamp.

I’m here for work, and both the hotel and its location are fantastic. It’s a large place with lovely original features and a history tied to Lancashire. The staff are very friendly, and there’s decent parking. Highly recommend.