Forest of Bowland
The Forest of Bowland covers an area of over 300 square miles and was in 1964 was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Its name is actually something of a misnomer, since much of the area consists of gritstone fells and peat moorland. The usage of the word ‘Forest’ derives from the Latin word ‘foris’ which was used to denote a royal hunting ground (much of the land still belongs to the Duchy of Lancaster).
The forest includes areas of both the Ribble Valley and the Lune Valley.
Villages here include:
- Abbeystead
- Barley
- Bolton-by-Bowland – The 15th century Church of St Peter and Paul here is home to the Pudsey Tomb with its engraving of Sir Ralph Pudsey with his 3 wives and 25 children.
- Caton – A bustling village in the Lune Valley.
- Chipping – The 17th century post office here is reputedly the oldest shop in Britain.
- Claughton
- Downham – An extremely picturesque village overlooked by Pendle Hill. The village is owned by a local squire who refuses to permit overhead cables, TV aerials and satellite dishes.
- Dunsop Bridge – The gateway to the Trough of Bowland and the geographic centre of Britain. A plaque at the telephone box on the village green here reads ‘You are calling from the BT payphone that marks the centre of Great Britain’. It was unveiled by explorer Sir Sir Ranulph Fiennes in June 1992 and was BT 100,000th telephone box.
- Hornby – A picturesque village overlooked by Hornby Castle (private).
- Hurst Green - An idyllic village best know for the nearby public school, Stonyhurst College. The surrounding area inspired J.R.R. Tolkien while writing the Lord of the Rings. Follow in his footsteps by walking the Tolkien Trail. The 5½ mile circular walk starts close to the Shireburn Arms Hotel.
- Newton – The Friends Meeting House here was founded in 1767.
- Roughlee – Famous for its links with the Pendle Witches. One of them, Alice Nutter, allegedly lived at Roughlee Old Hall.
- Sabden
- Sawley – The ruins of Sawley Abbey (maintained by English Heritage) are found close to this picturesque village. Admission is free.
- Quernmore
- Wennington
- Wray – A small village that hosts a couple of unusual annual events; the Wray Scarecrow Festival and the Maggot Race.
Places of interest and attractions within the Forest of Bowland include:
- Bowland Wild Boar Park – Close to the village of Chipping. Children can hand feed llamas, red deer, goats and other animals.
- Browsholme Hall
- Dunsop Bridge – The geographic centre of Great Britain.
- Gisburn Forest – The largest forest in Lancashire.
- Pendle Hill – separated from the main area of the Forest of Bowland by Clitheroe.
- Sawley Abbey – Ruins managed by English Heritage.
- Slaidburn Heritage Centre
- Stocks Fly Fishery – 320 acre trout fishery. The largest fishery in the North West of England. Close to Slaidburn.
- Trough of Bowland – Picturesque valley.
One of the best ways to experience the Forest of Bowland is to take the minor road that runs from Clitheroe to Lancaster and passes through the Trough of Bowland via Dunsop Bridge and Quernmore.
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