It only takes 45 minutes to drive to the Ribble Valley from Bradford but it might as well be Timbuktu as far as most people are concerned.

In fact, it's a well-kept secret even among people who live in Lancashire, let alone dyed-in-the-wool Tykes.

Luckily for me, it's also my husband's home county so we were over the moon to get the chance to spend a "two centre" gourmet weekend there - and spread the word.

The Ribble Valley - which takes its name after the River Ribble and is no distance from Blackburn and Burnley - boasts over 200 square miles of breathtaking countryside, most of which is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is dotted with pretty villages and is the official centre of Great Britain since Dunsop Bridge was declared by Ordnance Survey to qualify for the title.

It is beautiful in any season but was at its wintry best when we visited last November during a bright, cold snap.

Two top attractions for foodies are Northcote Manor, at Langho, the 1999 Independent Hotel of the Year, and The Gibbon Bridge Hotel at Chipping, a Britain in Bloom award winner.

We arrived at Northcote late on a Friday night after a tortuous week at work - and fell straight into the lap of luxury.

It is a hotel but is perhaps better known for its restaurant. Chef and joint owner Nigel Haworth was named Egon Ronay 1995 Chef of the Year, the year Northcote was awarded its first Michelin star.

Organically-grown herbs and vegetables, many from the Manor's own grounds, have helped him pioneer regional and British dishes.

But, although the food is unquestionably out of this world, so is the whole experience.

The pampering begins as soon as you reach the front door and it is swept open by a welcoming member of staff before your fingers can touch the handle.

After a revitalising shower, we were shown into the lounge, seated in huge, comfy chairs in front of a roaring fire, and presented with half a bottle of champagne and mouth-watering canapes.

By then we were starting to feel human again and were ready to move into the light, airy dining room - hung with modern art - for an exquisite set meal served with equal style.

We began with hot smoked salmon and Beluga caviar, followed by a beautiful risotto of horseradish, cepe mushrooms and parsley oil, then palate-cleansing lemon and thyme sorbet.

Murray tucked into a perfectly-cooked Scotch fillet of beef, with creamed artichoke and potatoes while I had fish.

If they were good, the dessert defies description - macaroon wafers, raspberries, white chocolate and coconut mousse. Say no more.

Afterwards, we made our way back to the lounge for fresh coffee, home-made Petit Fours and a night cap. (At the time of our visit, the set gourmet menu, without drinks, would have cost £40 per person).

After a sound night's sleep in our room over-looking the heli-pad - people do, literally, fly in for lunch - we had a hearty breakfast (Finnan haddock and poached egg for me, full English breakfast for Murray) before heading off into another crisp November day.

For strangers to the area, there's a wealth of things to do and see. Follow the Pendle Witch Trail and you'll find out about two old women living in the shadow of Pendle Hill during the reign of King James. They were accused of witchcraft and sent to Lancaster for trial.

The route follows that taken by the women from their Pendleside villages through the wild beauty of the Trough of Bowland in the Ribble Valley. The 45-mile journey passes through spectacular scenery - and there is an audio tape available from tourist information centres to relate the tale as you drive.

Shoppers will love Clitheroe, dominated by its castle, with an open market on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Voted as one of the top ten places to shop by the Times magazine, it boasts a host of galleries and irresistible little shops.

If you want to exercise your body and not your purse, try the cycle trail in Gisburn Forest, follow part of the 70-mile Ribble Way or join a ghost walk in Clitheroe with noise impersonator Simon Entwistle. (For ghost walk details, call (01200) 425566 - they start again on Friday April 7.)

For history lovers, there are the abbey ruins at Sawley (founded in 1147) and Whalley (1296). Whalley Abbey is a retreat but people can visit the ruins, gardens and coffee shop - and Whalley is a charming riverside village worthy of a visit in its own right (The Beatles once played there at what is now an exclusive clothes shop).

But the most stunning attraction architecturally has to be Stonyhurst College near Hurst Green. The Catholic College was established by the Jesuits in the 17th century and moved to Stonyhurst 200 years ago to avoid persecution in France. The college is visible from the road and one of its most famous scholars was Arthur Conan Doyle.

After a day exploring, we drove to The Gibbon Bridge Hotel at Chipping which is also highly acclaimed but, we felt, more relaxed than Northcote.

It was a family farm for over 30 years, converted into a sumptuous hotel by owner Janet Simpson and her late mother Margaret in 1982.

Today there are 30 individually-designed bedrooms, a bar, restaurant, conservatory with grand piano, terraces, bandstand, conference facilities, helicopter pad, tennis court, gym and beauty salon.

We were greeted by the farm cat who showed us to reception where we booked into our own suite of rooms - a sort of mini house with an enormous bathroom, even bigger lounge, and a bedroom upstairs in the eaves which was as big as both of them.

Once again we enjoyed an aperitif in front of an open fire, but in more informal surroundings.

Then we were ushered through to the conservatory restaurant, dripping in plants with stunning views of the gardens and a pianist tickling the ivories.

This meal was equally tantalising, with a sort of Mediterranean-meets-Lancashire feel.

This time we chose from the menu and I began with warm tartlet of feta cheese on marinated tomatoes with a pesto dressing (£4.75) while Murray had winter soup of the day which was potato and leek (£3.75).

I followed up with a light main course of pleated zucchini and brie, gratinated with brie and served with homemade chutney and fresh vegetables (£9) and Murray plumped for local roast Bowland pheasant and winter vegetables (£13.50), which were both excellent.

In the morning we tucked into a buffet breakfast, once again served in the conservatory where the sun was pouring in.

And then we blew away the cobwebs with a stroll round the grounds - accompanied, of course, by the cat. My sort of place.

All in all, wherever you stay, the Ribble Valley is a magical area, and a bit of a "find".

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.