Overview
The Forest of Bowland is a large Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) covering roughly 800 square kilometres of Lancashire and a small part of North Yorkshire. Despite the name, 'forest' here is used in its historic sense — a medieval hunting ground — and the landscape is dominated by open moorland, gritstone fells, limestone valleys, and pockets of ancient woodland rather than dense tree cover.
The area is one of England's least-visited AONBs, which is a genuine draw for travellers seeking solitude. Villages such as Slaidburn, Dunsop Bridge, Chipping, and Abbeystead serve as quiet bases. The fells — including Pendle Hill on the southern fringe, Clougha Pike, and the Trough of Bowland — offer rewarding walking without the crowds associated with the Lake District or Yorkshire Dales.
Bowland is nationally important for upland bird conservation. The hen harrier, once nearly extinct in England, has its primary English breeding stronghold here. Peregrine falcon, short-eared owl, curlew, and golden plover are also regularly recorded. This makes it a significant destination for birdwatchers as well as walkers and cyclists.
The AONB does not have a single gateway town. Lancaster, Clitheroe, and Preston are the nearest sizeable settlements and serve as practical starting points for visits.
Before You Go
Visas
The Forest of Bowland is in England, United Kingdom. Entry requirements vary by nationality. Check TravelerPulse's Visas section and the UK Home Office / UKVI official website for current requirements before travelling.
What to pack
- Waterproof jacket and over-trousers — moorland weather changes quickly at any season
- Sturdy waterproof walking boots; many paths cross boggy ground
- Warm mid-layer even in summer; summit temperatures are significantly cooler than valley level
- OS Explorer map (verify the relevant sheet number for your planned area) or a reliable GPS app with offline maps
- A compass and basic navigation skills — mobile signal is unreliable across much of the moorland
Health and fitness
Most village-level and valley walking is suitable for families and casual walkers. The open fell routes (e.g., Ward's Stone, the Trough of Bowland crossing) require a reasonable level of fitness and basic navigation ability. There are no mountain rescue facilities specifically within Bowland; Lancashire Constabulary coordinates mountain rescue. Emergency number: 999 (ask for Police, then Mountain Rescue).
Mobile connectivity
Expect limited or no mobile signal across large parts of the upland area. Download maps and information before entering remote sections.
Getting There
By rail
The AONB has no railway stations within it. The closest mainline stations are Lancaster (West Coast Main Line), Clitheroe (served by trains from Manchester Victoria), and Preston (major interchange). From these stations you will need onward transport by bus, taxi, or hire car.
By bus
Local bus services connect some villages — Clitheroe to Slaidburn and Chipping, for example — but services are infrequent, especially on Sundays and in winter. Verify current timetables with Traveline Lancashire or the Lancashire County Council transport pages before relying on bus travel.
By car
A private vehicle is the most practical way to access and move around the AONB. The B6478 through the Trough of Bowland and the roads connecting Clitheroe, Slaidburn, and Dunsop Bridge are among the main routes. Roads are mostly single-track or narrow in the upper valleys; passing places are common and patience is required.
By bike
Cyclists can reach parts of Bowland via the Lancashire Cycleway and quiet lanes; however, the terrain is hilly and distances between villages are significant. Verify current cycle route conditions locally.
Getting Around
A car remains the most effective means of getting around between the AONB's villages and trailheads. Parking is available at several managed sites — including those near Dunsop Bridge and Beacon Fell Country Park — though spaces fill quickly on fine weekends in summer.
On foot is how most visitors experience the moorland itself. The Bowland Witch Way and the Pendle Way are two waymarked long-distance routes that cross or pass through the AONB. Many shorter circular walks are described in guidebooks and on the AONB Partnership website (verify at forestofbowland.com).
Cycling on quiet roads and permitted tracks is popular. There are no lift-accessed mountain bike centres within the AONB, and most off-road cycling requires navigation on bridleways. Verify which tracks are open to cyclists before setting out, as access restrictions apply on certain moorland management areas during the grouse-shooting season (generally August–December).
Where to Stay
Accommodation within the AONB is mostly small-scale: independent B&Bs, self-catering cottages, farm stays, and a handful of country inns with rooms. Slaidburn, Chipping, and Dunsop Bridge each have a small number of options. Glamping and camping sites exist but numbers are limited; booking well ahead for summer weekends is advisable.
For a wider range of hotels and serviced apartments, base yourself in Clitheroe (Ribble Valley), Lancaster, or Garstang on the AONB's western edge and make day trips into Bowland. These towns also have better restaurant and transport options.
Youth hostel provision within the AONB is limited; verify current availability through the YHA website or equivalent. Self-catering cottages can be searched through national cottage rental platforms; always confirm exact location and access road conditions, as some properties are down long, rough tracks.
Wild camping is not a right in England. Always seek landowner permission or use an established site.
Things to See & Do
Walking and hiking
The AONB's principal attraction is its walking. Ward's Stone (the highest point in Lancashire at approximately 561 m) offers a full-day upland walk. The Trough of Bowland pass is a scenic route connecting the Dunsop Bridge and Wyresdale sides of the moors. Beacon Fell Country Park is a lower-level, well-signposted option suitable for families.
Wildlife and birdwatching
Hen harrier watching is a highlight between April and August; the AONB Partnership has periodically organised managed viewing events — check with them for current arrangements. Curlews return to moorland edges from February onwards. Autumn sees red deer rutting on some estates. The River Hodder and its tributaries hold otters, though sightings require patience and early-morning visits.
Historic sites and villages
- Slaidburn: An exceptionally well-preserved medieval village with a historic inn and church
- Sawley Abbey: Ruins of a Cistercian monastery near Clitheroe, just outside the AONB boundary — worth combining with a Bowland visit
- Browsholme Hall: A historic house near Whitewell with periodic public opening days; verify dates locally
- Whitewell: A hamlet in the heart of Bowland with a church and a well-regarded inn
Cycling
The Lancashire Cycleway passes through the AONB. Quiet lanes between Chipping, Longridge, and Slaidburn are popular with road cyclists. Gradient profiles are significant; treat route descriptions with care if you are not an experienced hill cyclist.
Food & Drink
Dining options within the AONB are modest in number but can be of high quality. Several village pubs and inns serve food using local produce — lamb, beef, game, and dairy from the surrounding farms are common menu staples. The Inn at Whitewell is one of the most cited dining and accommodation destinations in the area; verify current opening and booking requirements directly.
Chipping has a small village shop and a café, useful for provisioning before a day on the fells. Slaidburn's Hark to Bounty pub is a historic building and a reliable stop for pub food. Outside the AONB, Clitheroe has a broader selection of cafés, restaurants, and a well-regarded food market (Clitheroe Farmers' Market — verify current dates).
Self-catering visitors should stock up in Clitheroe, Longridge, or Lancaster before heading into the more remote parts of the AONB, as village shops are few and their hours can be limited. There are no supermarkets within the AONB itself.
Practical Information
Money
The AONB is largely cashless in the sense that mobile card payments are common in pubs and B&Bs, but mobile signal for contactless payments can be unreliable. Carry some cash for smaller village establishments, parking machines, and honesty-box farm stalls. The nearest ATMs are in Clitheroe, Lancaster, and Longridge.
Parking
Parking charges apply at some managed car parks; verify locally. Roadside parking on narrow moorland roads can obstruct farm and emergency access — use designated laybys and car parks.
Accessibility
Beacon Fell Country Park has some accessible paths. Much of the upland AONB is on uneven, boggy terrain with limited accessibility for wheelchair users or those with significant mobility impairment. Verify specific access routes with the AONB Partnership or individual site managers.
Useful contacts
- Forest of Bowland AONB Partnership: verify current website at forestofbowland.com
- Traveline Lancashire for public transport: traveline.info
- Emergency services (police, ambulance, mountain rescue): 999
- Non-emergency police: 101
Safety
The primary safety consideration in Bowland is upland navigation. The fells are not technically difficult but the combination of limited paths, extensive boggy ground, sudden weather changes, and poor mobile signal means that under-prepared walkers can get into difficulty. Always carry a map and compass and know how to use them before heading onto open moorland.
During the grouse-shooting season (generally 12 August to 10 December) shooting may take place on private estates. Stick to public rights of way and follow any temporary closure signs. Firing is not conducted across public footpaths, but be aware of the activity around you.
Tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease risk is present in upland and woodland areas of northern England. Check yourself and children for ticks after walks in long grass and bracken. Remove ticks promptly using a tick removal tool. If you develop a bull's-eye rash or flu-like symptoms after a tick bite, seek medical advice.
River levels in the Hodder valley and tributary becks can rise rapidly after heavy rain. Do not attempt to ford streams in spate conditions.
Local Culture & Etiquette
The Forest of Bowland sits within the historic county of Lancashire, a region with a distinct identity separate from neighbouring Yorkshire. The area retains strong connections to its agricultural and pastoral heritage; sheep farming, grouse-moor management, and dairy farming are still economically significant, and visitors will encounter working farms throughout.
The name Bowland is thought to derive from the Old English or Old Norse for 'land of cattle'. The designation as a royal hunting forest in the medieval period is reflected in village names, estate boundaries, and the survival of some ancient woodland. The area also falls within the broader region associated with the Pendle witch trials of 1612, a chapter of history that is interpreted at various sites just outside the AONB boundary.
Local residents are generally welcoming to respectful visitors. The countryside code is taken seriously: close gates, keep dogs on leads near livestock, take litter home, and stay on public rights of way where indicated. Many of the moors are privately managed for grouse and conservation, and straying from footpaths can cause genuine harm to ground-nesting birds.
