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- Discover Bowland and explore 803 sq km of rural Lancashire and Yorkshire. The Forest of Bowland was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1964 and provides some of the most peaceful and remote walking, riding and cycling in the country.
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Oct 23, 2017 · 10 places in the Forest of Bowland that you should visit. Dunsop Bridge by Philip Sherrington (Image: Archant) There are many reasons why the Forest of Bowland is designated Area of Natural Beauty, we’ve picked our favourite spots that we think you will love too. Hornby Castle by Les Fitton (Image: Archant) Hornby.
Discover Bowland and explore 803 sq km of rural Lancashire and Yorkshire. The Forest of Bowland was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1964 and provides some of the most peaceful and remote walking, riding and cycling in the country.
- Overview
- What to do
- Where to eat
- We like
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Discover a literary trail, cycling paths and picturesque villages in this little-known corner between northeast Lancashire and North Yorkshire, where nature takes centre stage.
This article was adapted from National Geographic Traveller (UK)
Sandwiched between the great cities of Manchester and Liverpool to the south, and the beauty spots of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales to the north, the Forest of Bowland is every bit as enchanting as its more famous neighbours. This is a land with a deep history peopled by Vikings, witches and kings; where the patchwork fields, coaching inns and pretty villages evoke a sense of time out of mind.
A designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, its gorgeous landscapes are more diverse than its name suggests, with the woodlands of the Lune Valley ascending to the wild moorlands of the Bowland Fells. The new Eco Escapes initiative connects them with local food producers, pubs and B&Bs by public transport, meaning it’s never been easier to explore the region in an eco-minded way.
JRR Tolkien is known to have written much of The Lord of the Rings during visits to Stonyhurst College, in the south of the Forest of Bowland. It’s not hard to see how the rivers, woodlands and rolling farmland of this countryside could have inspired the more rural corners of Middle Earth, and the Tolkien Trail, a six-mile walking route, is a gentle way to familiarise yourself with the landscape. Highlights include handsome Cromwell’s Bridge, marched across in 1648 by Oliver Cromwell and his army, and the sylvan oak and ash forest of Over Hacking Wood.
To go further and faster than any hobbit could, rent an e-bike from the riverside village of Dunsop Bridge and set out to explore the surrounding fells, forests and villages. Head south to Browsholme Hall, a Tudor country home set in acres of wooded gardens, or make for Gisburn Forest, where bike trails wind through woodlands rich in birdlife, including lapwings, oystercatchers and ravens. Make it a multi-day adventure by pitching a tent at Gisburn Forest Hub to take in the wonders of the cosmos in an accredited Dark Sky Discovery Site.
A wonderfully revived cotton mill in the heart of Clitheroe, Holmes Mill is now home to the fantastic Bowland Beer Hall — complete with one of the longest bars in the country — and the Bowland Food Hall, selling goodies from producers across the region. The Inn at Whitewell, meanwhile, showcases the very best of Bowland’s produce, whether it’s smok...
Located at the foot of Beacon Fell, Goosnargh Gin infuses prize-winning gins with botanicals foraged from the Bowland countryside, such as meadowsweet, wimberry and gorse flower. The distillery also hosts gin-making classes where attendees sit before a miniature copper gin still and choose from a wide selection of botanicals, including more exotic ...
In Bolton-by-Bowland, ivy-smothered stone cottages cluster around two village greens. The heart of village life is the Coach and Horses, a classic country inn where rooms have a gorgeous traditional look. Expect superb food, too. From £175, B&B.
The lifelong passion project of owner Janet Simpson, Gibbon Bridge is housed in a beautiful country estate. It has lovely spacious rooms, and its trad-decor doesn’t feel dated or stuffy; the eclectic architecture includes gothic stonework from an old church. From £100, B&B.
discoverbowland.uk
Published in the March 2023 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK)
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- Whalley Abbey. Although technically located just outside of the Forest of Bowland in the historic village of Whalley, the ruins of Whalley Abbey are often included in a Forest of Bowland itinerary.
- Sawley Abbey. Although not as impressive as Whalley Abbey, Sawley Abbey is another monastic building worth visiting. Located in the town of Sawley, the ruins of Sawley Abbey date back to the 12th century.
- Browsholme Hall. Located near the charming village of Chipping, you’ll find Browsholme Hall and Tithe Barn. It’s a Grade I heritage-listed Tudor Hall, dating back to 1507.
- Stonyhurst College. Stonyhurst College is located in Hurst Green. It’s an esteemed boarding school and a very elegant building. It’s well-known that J. R. R. Tolkien spent much of his time there, whilst visiting his son.
The Forest of Bowland was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1964 and provides some of the most peaceful and remote walking, riding and cycling in the country. Explore some of the many unique villages steeped in history, while away your time observing some of the rare and enigmatic birds and wildlife, or simply indulge in ...
This dramatic and exciting landscape is a patchwork of grassy fells, windswept moorland and rich forest that can be found just south of the western Yorkshire Dales. Just a short journey by rail from Skipton, the Forest Bowland is a haven for outdoors lovers.
Discover Bowland and explore 803 sq km of rural Lancashire (730 sq km) and Yorkshire (73 sq km). The Forest of Bowland was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1964 and provides some of the most peaceful and remote walking, riding and cycling in the country.
