For nearly half a century, Guy’s Thatched Hamlet was one of the most recognisable destinations in Lancashire. Tucked beside the Lancaster Canal in the village of Bilsborrow, about 20 minutes’ drive from Highcross Corner, it was the kind of place where generations of families celebrated engagements, weddings, anniversaries and birthdays. When it closed suddenly in February 2026, the outpouring of memories from locals was remarkable.
The good news? It has already begun reopening under new ownership, with ambitious plans for its future.
How It All Began
The story starts in the early 1970s, when builder John Toolan and his wife Sylvia spotted a derelict barn beside the canal while driving through Bilsborrow. Toolan purchased the barn and a plot of land, and spent two years battling for planning permission before construction began in 1974. He did much of the work himself, including digging the foundations.
The distinctive thatched roofs were inspired by thatched houses Toolan had seen in South Africa as a child. The original building opened in 1976.
After roughly seven or eight years, Toolan sold to the Wilkinson family, and in 1980 Roy and Irene Wilkinson opened Guy’s Eating Establishment Restaurant & Pizzeria — the beginning of the “Guy’s” name that would become synonymous with the site.
Building a Lancashire Landmark
Over the following decades, the Wilkinsons steadily expanded the hamlet into something far larger than a single restaurant. By the time it reached its peak, the complex sprawled across approximately 14 acres and included:
- Guy’s Eating Establishment — a 175-cover restaurant and pizzeria
- ’Owd Nell’s Canalside Tavern — a 200-cover pub housed in a converted farmhouse dating from 1798
- Guy’s Canalside Lodge — 65 en-suite bedrooms across cottages and converted farm buildings
- Function rooms including the Tommy Hatton Room and the Boddington Pavilion
- A cricket ground with an all-weather wicket and thatched pavilion
- A crown green bowling green with its own thatched pavilion
- Craft shops in School House Square
- Free moorings for canal boats on the Lancaster Canal
It was recognised as one of Lancashire’s Top 100 Attractions and became a fixture of the social calendar, particularly through its annual Oyster Festival, launched in 1992. The four-day event each September drew visitors from across the county for live music, family entertainment and, as one report put it, “light-hearted entertainment, networking and even a bit of deal-making.”
The Wilkinsons ran it as a three-generation family business for 46 years.
A Bit of History: School House Farm
The building that became ’Owd Nell’s Tavern — School House Farm — predates the Lancaster Canal itself. Built in 1798, the farmhouse was purchased by the Wilkinsons in 1986 from the Parkinson family. During restoration, a brick-lined well 30 feet deep was discovered.
Records show that in the 1830s, the Reverend Thomas Duell, vicar of nearby St Lawrence’s Church in Barton, lived at the farmhouse while his vicarage was rebuilt after a fire. Legend has it that he brewed porter beer from scorched barley salvaged from the ruins — a recipe the Wilkinsons later claimed to have revived.
What Went Wrong
The closure in February 2026 came after several years of increasingly difficult trading. Administrators from FRP Advisory later revealed the trajectory:
- Rising costs for ingredients and energy squeezed margins
- Consumer spending on dining out fell during the cost-of-living crisis
- Poor weather hit trade hard — particularly damaging for a venue so reliant on its outdoor spaces
- Cash flow difficulties led to years of underinvestment in the property
By January 2025, the company could not settle its VAT liabilities, and HMRC issued a statutory demand. The site was put on the market in early 2025 but failed to attract a buyer. On 2 February 2026, administrators were appointed and 94 staff were made redundant.
It was a sad end to a place that meant so much to so many. When the Lancashire Evening Post ran a feature inviting readers to share their memories, the responses were overwhelming — proposals, first dates, family Christmases, retirement celebrations. Kirk Wilkinson, who oversaw the final years, said: “We have poured our hearts into this business for over four decades, creating a place where people come to celebrate, relax, and make memories.”
The New Chapter: Bowland Inns & Hotels
The site didn’t stay closed for long. In March 2026, Bowland Inns & Hotels — the Lancashire hospitality group behind the James’ Places collection — completed the purchase out of administration.
Founded in 1996 by James Warburton, Bowland Inns operates 11 venues across the Ribble Valley, Lune Valley, Yorkshire Dales and the South Lakes. They also run the Bowland Brewery and the Dream Venues Collection of wedding venues. Their flagship is Holmes Mill in Clitheroe.
The site has been renamed The Thatched Hamlet, dropping the “Guy’s” name.
What’s Open Now
’Owd Nell’s Tavern reopened with a soft launch ahead of Easter 2026. Hotel rooms are also accepting bookings. Food is served throughout the day alongside cask ales from Bowland Brewery.
Opening hours are Sunday to Thursday 8am–11pm, Friday and Saturday 8am–midnight, with breakfast from 8am and lunch and dinner served noon to 9pm.
The restaurant (Guy’s Eating Establishment) has not yet reopened — no date has been announced.
What’s Planned
Bowland Inns have outlined a phased refurbishment:
- Outdoor areas and terrace improvements first, to make the most of summer
- Interior refurbishment room by room during quieter weekday periods
- Bedrooms and pavilions to follow later in 2026
- Development of wedding and events spaces
- Revival of the Oyster Festival
- New entertainment around the cricket pitch and bowling green
James Warburton has said: “We aim to get the site working again as quickly as possible.”
Getting There from Highcross Corner
The Thatched Hamlet is on St Michael’s Road, Bilsborrow, Preston, PR3 0RS — about 20 minutes by car from Highcross Corner. Head east on the A586, join the A6 north, and you’ll see the signs for Bilsborrow. The complex has three car parks with space for around 200 vehicles.
If you’re visiting Blackpool Zoo or exploring the wider Fylde coast, The Thatched Hamlet makes a good stop on a day out. For an evening closer to home, The Thatched House in Poulton town centre is our favourite local pub — a 10-minute walk from the cottage.
For help with parking in Poulton or finding local shops, see our other guides.