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Things To Do
Choose from the list below
Walking
The
Forest of Bowland offers some of the most beautiful
and remote walking in the country, from the grandeur
and isolation of the moorland hills to the undulating
lowlands with their distinctive pattern of settlements,
woodland cloughs and river valleys. These landscape
contrasts, along with the serenity and tranquility of
the area make this a walker’s paradise.
As well as the fell tops and moors,
there are extensive opportunities for shorter and less
challenging routes in the valleys, most especially riverside
walks which abound in the area.
Click
here to see information about walking routes in the
Forest of Bowland.
Ribble Way
The Ribble Way follows the river from the sea near Preston
to its source high in the fells of the Yorkshire Dales;
70 miles of delectable walking through an ever varied
landscape. For convenience it is divided into seven
easy sections with comprehensive descriptions of places
passed en route such as Preston, Ribchester, Stonyhurst,
Clitheroe, Settle and Horton. For those who do not wish
to tackle the whole route, each section makes an easy
day’s walk. See
more information on the Ribble Way walk from Lancashire
County Council’s Countryside web site.
Pendle Way
The Pendle Way is a 45 mile circular walk in 8 sections
passing through villages like Barnoldswick, Earby and
Newchurch-in-Pendle. There are also 6 smaller circular
walks along the route. Information about the Pendle
Way is contained in a special information pack available
from Nelson Tourist Information Centre. Telephone 01282
692890.
The Lune Millennium Park
A multi-user route roughly following the River Lune
from Glasson near Cockerham to Lancaster and on to Bull
Beck near Caton. The section between Lancaster and the
Bull Beck Picnic Site follows the banks of the River
Lune and is suitable for disabled users. It follows
the route of the former Lancaster to Wennington railway
and is approximately six miles in length. Car parking
facilities are available at Lancaster, Ladies Walk,
Denny Beck, Crook O'Lune, Bull Beck, Conder Green and
Glasson Dock. A leaflet on the cycle way is available
from Tourist Information Centres.
Lancaster Tel: 01524 32878
Morecambe Tel: 01524 582808.
Gisburn Forest
Gisburn is the largest forest in Lancashire and is managed
by Forest Enterprise. Within the forest there is a network
of waymarked forest walks. These are based on existing
forest roads and offer a variety of routes with a cycle
network of 16km length. Contact Forest Enterprise for
further details on 01229 860010.
Beacon Fell Country Park Trails
The Fellside Trail is a circular route on Beacon Fell
provided for mountain bikes. The route takes approximately
one hour to complete. Horse riding is permitted by prior
arrangement with the Ranger Service. Please remember
to give way to walkers and wildlife and to wear a cycling
helmet at all times. For further information on horse
riding permits please contact the ranger service on
01995 61693. See
more information on the Fellside Trail from Lancashire
County Council’s Countryside web site.
Gisburn Circular Walk
The walk begins in Gisburn, a village with an ancient
church dating back to Norman times, inns and other buildings
of interest dating from the sixteenth to the nineteenth
centuries. Between the main village and the River Ribble
is Gisburn Park, which until 1943 was the ancestral
home of the Lister family and their successors the Lords
Ribblesdale. Walks are approximately 4-5 hours, medium
grade. Leaflets are available from local shops and businesses.
See
more information on the Gisburn Circular Walks from
Lancashire County Council’s Countryside web site.
Five Walks Around Longridge
This attractively illustrated pack details 5 walks in
the area to the east of Longridge. It includes circular
walks on Longridge Fell and between Longridge and Ribchester
"in the footsteps of the Romans", together
with a linear walk over Longridge Fell to Chipping.
Copies of the packs are available for £3 from Clitheroe
and Preston Tourist Information Centres, Longridge Library
and Longridge Post Office.
GPS Trailing – GPS
trailing is a fairly new pastime to sweep its way across
the UK. Likened to a high-tech treasure hunt, it is
a pleasurable way to explore the countryside and is
a particular favourite with families. Yorkshire Dales
Guides have set up 7 GPS trails in Bowland. For
details of the trails visit the Yorkshire Dales Guides
website .
Cycling
Outstanding
scenery, picturesque villages, charming tea rooms and
a network of Quiet Lanes - all waiting to be explored.
And what better way to do it than by bike? Silently
travelling around this area of outstanding natural beauty
under your own power, coming across hidden gems around
every corner, this truly is a spectacular area for biking
enthusiasts of all types and levels.
Gisburn Forest Cycleway - Gisburn is
the largest forest in Lancashire and is managed by Forest
Enterprise. Within the forest, adjacent to Stocks Reservoir,
you’ll find several colour-coded mountain bike trails
which can be accessed from designated car parks. The
shortest ones are suitable for younger children or the
inexperienced. Walkers can make use of any of the forest
tracks but cyclists must keep to the way marked routes.
Contact Forest Enterprise for further details on 01229
860010.
Lancashire Cycleway - listed amongst
the top 10 long distance cycle rides in Britain, (Daily
Telegraph, 2008), consists of a north and south circular
route which meet at the historic town of Whalley, to
the south-east of the Forest of Bowland. The route has
been designed specifically to use minor roads which
have low levels of traffic but also to pass through
areas of scenic beauty. The Cycleway is well signposted
and is also accessible from many railway stations near
to the route.
For
further information visit the Lancashire Cycling website.
Bowland by Bike - The Bowland by Bike leaflet details
5 stunning cycle routes in and around the Forest of
Bowland. These routes vary in length and surface and
have been selected to give you a flavour of the excellent
cycling opportunities available throughout the AONB.
Available from Tourist Information Centres in the area.
Cycle Hire
Cycle Bowland - Off the Rails based
in Settle, offer four very different cycling experiences
in the Forest of Bowland, to suit all your requirements.
Explore on a comfy, easy to use hybrid bike and discover
for yourself why this area is so special!
From unique bike/rail trips offering
leisurely cycling to self guided day hire exploring
the quiet lanes, hidden delights and country villages.
Alternatively, why not extend your visit and try a 2
or 3 day cycle tour in style with detailed routes, overnight
accommodation and baggage transfers included. If you
fancy something more challenging off-road, try the MTB
Taster Day or take a "learn to mountain bike"
course or even have a 'dirty weekend' with guides on
the fantastic bridleways and single tracks of Gisburn
Forest.
Whichever you choose you can be sure
you'll have top quality bikes, well researched routes,
great accommodation and fully qualified guides and instructors
who live locally and know the area well.
Winner of the National Cycle/Rail Awards,
Finalist in the North West Sustainable Tourism Awards
and a Gold Award winner in the Green Tourism Business
Scheme.
For further information visit the Cycle
Bowland website
Cycle Adventure –
From gentle cycling on quiet lanes and tracks to more
adventurous mountain biking on exiting off road trails.
All inclusive flexible cycle hire service
including free delivery and collection to any location
in the Forest of Bowland, including the way marked trails
of Gisburn Forest. Choose from a large choice of well
researched route sheets for all abilities including
helmet, lock, puncture resistant tyres, map holder,
pump and expert route advice based on many years of
local knowledge and experience.
Quality new Trek front suspension mountain
bikes with disc brakes and children's cycles and equipment
available including tag-a-longs and child seats.
Stay for longer on a Cycle Adventure
Tour and explore the rich variety of landscapes and
attractions of this stunningly picturesque Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty. Staying in a quality Farm House or luxury
Country House Hotel, with luggage transfer, vehicle
support and all the equipment and accessories you'll
need, all you'll have to do is pedal!
You can also hire a qualified guide
to take you straight to the heart of best cycling in
Bowland with skills coaching courses and bespoke guiding
packages available.
Call 07518 373 007, text 'ca' for call
back or visit the Cycle
Adventure website
Dalesbridge, Austwick – cycle
hire Tel: 015242 51021 or visit the
Dalesbridge website (www.dalesbridge.co.uk/)
Pedal Power, Clitheroe – cycle
hire Tel: 01200 422066
Horse Riding
Imagine
trekking along quiet tracks, cutting through the heart
of some of most remote and beautiful parts of Bowland.
Skirting picturesque farms and villages with a sense
of stepping back in time to a forgotten part of the
English countryside; and no better way to do it than
by horse back.
Horse riding is growing in popularity
and although there are currently no trekking centres
within the AONB, there are opportunities
to ride your own horse along a network of country lanes
and bridleways.
North Lancashire Bridleway
- The first phase of this ambitious project
to develop a circular bridleway in Bowland is complete,
offering 47km of bridleway that cuts through the heart
of the Forest of Bowland AONB. The majority of accommodation
available on the route is provided by working farms,
with many offering livery for horses. The route travels
from Halton on Lune near Lancaster before wending its
way up the Roeburndale Valley over to Slaidburn and
the Hodder Valley on the old Salter Fell Road, skirting
Dunsop Bridge and Whitewell and finally on to Chipping.
North Lancashire Bridleway leaflet
- There is a comprehensive leaflet that includes a map
of the route and a list of accommodation providers,
to obtain a copy call 01772 534709. or you can download
it from the link below. North
Lancashire Bridleway Leaflet in PDF format (2,543kb)
Riding Schools
Broomhill Equestrian, Grindleton
– Tel: 01200 440462 or visit the
Broomhill
Equestrian website (www.broomhillequestrian.co.uk)
Greenhall Farm, Tatham - Tel:
01524 261594 or visit the
Greenhall
Farm website (www.greenhallridingcentre.co.uk)
Fishing
The Forest of Bowland offers wonderful
opportunities for quiet enjoyment including fishing.
Some
of the fishing venues can offer access for all in the
form of a Tramper - an all-terrain electric wheelchair
facility for access to bank side angling. This might
be useful for those who may have difficulty negotiating
uneven footpaths. Please ask about this when making
enquiries. Bank House
Fly Fishery
Low Mill
Caton
Nr Lancaster
LA2 9HX
Tel: 01524 770412
Website: www.stocksreservoir.com/bankhouse/index.htm
Barnsfold Waters
Barns Lane
Goosnargh
PR3 2NJ
Tel: 01995 61583
Email:jfcasson
[at] hotmail [dot] com
Website: www.barnsfoldwaters.co.uk/
The Lake at Cleveley Mere
Cleveley Bank Lane
Forton
PR3 1BY
Tel: 01524 793644
Email: enquiries
[at] cleveleymere [dot] com
Website: www.cleveleymere.com/
Dales Anglers
1 Grove Cottages
44A Main Street
Bentham
LA2 7HN
Tel: 015242 61612
Forrest Hills
Hazelrigg Lane
Ellel
Lancaster
LA2 0PL
Tel: 01524 752566 or 07941473469
Email: colin
[at] forresthills [dot] demon [dot]
co [dot] uk
Website: www.forresthills.net
Inn at Whitewell
Whitewell
Near Clitheroe
BB7 3AT
Tel: 01200 448222
Website: www.innatwhitewell.com
Slaidburn (King Wilkinson)
Estate
Central Stores and Post Office
Slaidburn
BB7 3ER
Tel: 01200 446268
Red Pump Inn
Clitheroe Road
Bashall Eaves
BB7 3DA.
Tel: 01254 826227.
Email: info
[at] theredpumpinn [dot] co [dot] uk
Website: www.theredpumpinn.co.uk
Riverside Caravan Park
High Bentham
Lancaster
LA2 7FJ
Tel: 015242 61272
Tel:015242 62835
Mobile: 07711 587 428
Website: www.riversidecaravanpark.co.uk
Stocks Reservoir
Catlow Rd
Slaidburn
BB7 3AQ
Tel: 01200 446602
Website: www.stocksreservoir.com
Wyresdale Park
Snowhill Lane
Scorton
PR3 1BA
Tel: 01524 791874
Wyreside Lakes
Sunnyside Farmhouse
Bay Horse
Lancaster
LA2 9DG
Tel: 01524 792093
Email: Wyreside2003
[at] yahoo [dot] co [dot] uk
Website: www.wyresidelakes.co.uk
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