Facts
Where is the Forest of Bowland?
Situated in the north-west of England, the Forest of Bowland covers rural Lancashire and North Yorkshire. It is an area of national and international importance because of its unspoiled and richly diverse landscapes and wildlife.
How big is the Forest of Bowland?
802 square kilometres or 312 square miles - at least twice as big as the Isle of Wight or the same size as the City of New York.
When was it designated?
In 1964
What Local authority Areas are within the Forest of Bowland?
Counties: Lancashire and North Yorkshire.
Districts: Lancaster, Pendle, Ribble Valley, Wyre, Craven and Preston.
Highest Point:
560m - Wards Stone - in the Clougha Access Area.
Significant Landmarks:
Parlick Pike just to the rear of Wolfen Mill Country Retreats.
Beacon Fell Country Park, 3 miles from Wolfen Mill.
Pendle Hill (legendary home of the Pendle Witches )
Dunsop Bridge - Nearest village to the Centre of the British Isles.
Main Rivers:
Ribble, Hodder, Wyre and Lune
The Forest of Bowland is made up of a large central upland core of romantic fells and vast tracts of heather-covered peat moorland.
Steep-sided upland valleys contrast with rich green lowlands of the Ribble, Hodder, Wyre, and Lune Valleys. Well-wooded valleys criss-crossed by drystone walls and dotted with picturesque stone farms and villages are symbolic of this outstanding landscape.
Thirteen per cent of Bowland is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The moors are a major breeding ground for upland birds and the major part of the Bowland Fells is designated as a Special Protection Area under the European Birds Directive.
With a population of just 15,000 people covering a total area of 803 sq km Bowland is not a densely populated area. Sheep and beef farming predominate in the uplands with dairying being the major land use in the valleys. There is some forestry, water catchment and mineral extraction. Increasingly, tourism is adding extra income to the local rural economy.
How has man shaped the landscape we see today?
Bowland was formerly called "Bolland" - a name for which there are various interpretations - a derivation of the Norse 'Bu' (cattle) or Celtic 'booa' a cow, signifying cowland.
The area was part of the Old Forest of the North and the Royal Hunting Forest of Lancaster. However, the land we see today has fewer trees than the former 'Forest' would have contained.
Clues to the history of the landscape still exist in many forms. Roman roads cross the area and villages such as Grindleton and Caton date back to the Saxon period. Norse names are evident in the area, such as 'beck' and 'laithe' and the presence of wolves in the area is evident in names like 'Wolf Fell',Wolf Hole Crag' and indeed 'Wolfen'.
Early farming in Bowland split the cleared land into small pastoral holdings and the 18th and 19th centuries brought the enclosure of land with hedges and drystone wall.
Derelict lime kilns, old mineral workings, mills such as 'Wolfen Mill' and lodges are all indicators of a former industrial era in Bowland.
Modern land-use and farming will continue to change the way the landscape is shaped.
Heather moorland, managed predominantly for grouse shooting, extends across large swathes of the upland area, providing valuable habitat for red grouse, short-eared owl, golden plover ring ouzel, merlin, peregrine falcon and the hen harrier - the bird depicted on the logo of the Forest of Bowland.
When visiting the Forest of Bowland please follow the visitor code
1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
In the Forest of Bowland we take our recycling very seriously, as we hope you do at home! Say no to packaging where possible, especially plastic bags. You will find recycling banks in most main car parks across the area. In Forest of Bowland we work hard to recycle all we can. Please help us by making use of the recycling system in your accommodation, and asking for one if you can't find it.
2. Reduce car traffic: walk, cycle or use public transport
Walking and cycling are great ways to see the area without adding to traffic. Use public transport where possible to travel to your start point, but try exploring near to where you are staying - there are some fantastic places to see right on your doorstep! Ask your accommodation provider for details. [insert or replace with your own information]
3. Stay Local, Eat Local, Buy Local, See Local
Support local producers and services - this way your visit has a real benefit to the communities of Forest of Bowland. And you get to see and taste the real quality that Forest of Bowland offers. Visit farm shops, village stores, pubs, cafes, garden centres and craft shops. Much of our distinctive culture is evident in the community events which happen throughout the year and are well worth supporting. Support local environmental projects by contributing to the Bowland Tourism and Environment Fund.
4. Chill out - switch off….
Enjoy a fabulous, light touch holiday - switch off lights and dripping taps; use the voluntary laundry card scheme where you see it, so that only towels that really need washing are laundered; every single effort helps protect and enhance our beautiful environment. It takes a moment and it's all worth it!
5. Follow the Countryside Code: respect - protect - enjoy.
The Countryside Code reminds visitors to protect plants and animals; take litter away; leave gates and property as you find them; keep dogs under close control; consider other people and users when visiting the countryside.