Peregrinating the North West and Beyond

Tag: Lancashire

  • Forest of Bowland: 10 miles from Dunsop Bridge with a cafe and my favourite Inn in the area

    Close to both the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District; the Forest of Bowland is often forgotten and underrated. But it is a very stunning area (AONB status), and you will often have the walk for yourself !
    And for the fans of architectures, the area has 500 listed buildings and 18 scheduled monuments. When I first moved to the area, I did not understand why it was called a forest and yet I could see so few trees. This comes from the traditional term used to described a royal hunting ground. You will mostly found heather moorlands and blanket bogs.

    Close to both the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District; the Forest of Bowland is often forgotten and underrated. But it is a very stunning area (AONB status), and you will often have the walk for yourself ! And for the fans of architectures, the area has 500 listed buildings and 18 scheduled monuments. When I first moved to the area, I did not understand why it was called a forest and yet I could see so few trees. This comes from the traditional term used to described a royal hunting ground. You will mostly found heather moorlands and blanket bogs.
    Click on the picture to see the full slideshow and route video

    Stats
    DifficultyModerate to strenuous. No great ups and downs but over 10 miles
    Length10.2 mi – 16.4 km
    Total elevation1,627 ft – 496m
    Highest point956ft – 292m
    Walking time4h20
    Terrainpaths, footpaths and road
    EquipmentWaterproof shoes as you will be crossing some stepping stone and some parts of the walk could get boggy
    View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)
    Hike of c. 10 miles and 1,500 ft of elevation in the stunning Forest of Bowland. Take good waterproof shoes as some paths can be muddy. However, Bowland is very underrated as a beautiful area to walk in, away from the crowds of the Lake Districts and Yorkshire Dales
    Send me a message on social media or email to request the GPX file, AllTrails or Komoot link

    Getting there
    • Driving: Some free parking on Trough Road, and paid car-park in Dunsop Bridge. Alternatively, if you prefer starting and finishing at the Inn in Whitewell; some parking at the corner of Little Bowland Road and River Hodder
    • Public transport: Bus 11 from Clitheroe (C. 45 mins)
    • From Preston: Train to Blackburn then train to Clitheroe then bus 11 to War Memorial (c. 2h)

    Watering Holes
    • The Inn at Whitewell – Whitewell – 5.5 miles into the walk
      My favourite in the area. This is a 16th Century former coaching Inn.
      Check before you go as this is a popular wedding venue.
      Fab local ales as well as home-cooked gastro food using local ingredients.
      Pub classics for lunch and gastro-pub dishes for supper. This is also a place to eat local Game when in season. The kitchen is open every day from 12:00-14:00 and Mon-Thu 19:00-21:00 as well as Fri-Sun 18:30-21:00.
      There are several rooms for food and drinks. All with peat-fires burning.
      Even though the Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip had the queen’s celebratory 80th birthday lunch at the Inn; the Inn has won an array of awards; the service is very professional and friendly.

    Make a week-end of it – Where to stay and eat

    The forest of Bowland is a very enchanting place to spend the week-end. With several picturesque villages, an array of stunning walks and so many good places to eat, drink and relax

    For a luxury and romantic week-end: The Inn at Whitewell
    24 bedrooms, all individually decorated with antique furnitures and luxurious soft furnishing.
    Rooms price start just under £200 on B&B basis

    For Glamping (and seeing the meerkats): Bowland Escapes
    Offers lodges for families and groups up to 6, camping pods, safari tents, an Iron Age storehouse and one cosy and romantic shepherd’s hut. It also has 5 soft grass pitch for tents.
    All accomodations offer free entry to the wild boar park. Which hosts other animals such as alpacas and some meerkats !

    For groups on budgets: YHA Slaidburn – Slaidburn
    The hostel will accommodate up to 30 people ! But can only be booked as a whole venue on a self-catering basis
    Minimum stay of 2 nights. However, week-nights are prices at £200 per night and the price doubles for week-end night
    Open wood-fire in the common rooms. And drying room for your walking gear.
    If you do not fancy staying in for meals and drinks; there is a great pub across the road. And the village has a shop if you have forgotten any supplies.
    However, note there is no phone signal or wifi.