Walks in Lancashire

Lancashire walks in the Forest of Bowland

Grandeur, isolation and outstanding natural beauty come to mind to describe the spectacular Forest of Bowland. And right on the doorstep of Lancaster House Hotel, it offers a wide selection of Lancashire walks.

So before you put on the hiking boots and get hiking in North Lancashire, here are a few interesting facts to whet your appetite.

1. The geographical centre of Great Britain is at the heart of the Forest of Bowland.
2. The area has a nickname of sorts – the ‘Switzerland of England’ or ‘Little Switzerland’ – due to the beauty of its Lancashire walks and scenery.
3. Forest here does not refer to a swathe of land with densely populated trees as you would expect. It means ‘Royal Hunting Ground’. Much of the land is heather and sweeping moorland.
4. The Village of Downham remains largely unchanged over the centuries. As such it was the perfect backdrop to the 1960s film Whistle Down the Wind and the TV series Born and Bred.
5. Thirteen per cent of its 312 square miles is designated as an Area of Special Scientific Interest. Distinct areas are designated for breeding Merlin and Hen Harriers.
6. There is an astonishing collection of artisan cheese producers in the Forest of Bowland. Many have won international awards for the quality of their produce.
7. The Forest of Bowland is home to no less than 500 listed buildings and monuments.
8. Saint Hubert, the patron saint of hunting, is also the patron saint of the Forest of Bowland. There’s a chapel dedicated to him at Dunsop Bridge.
9. The Forest of Bowland has 17 caves and 585m of underground passages. The more notable caves are Hell Hole, Whitewell Cave and Whitewell Pot. Access to the caves is by permit from the Council of Northern Caving Clubs (CNCC).
10. Whilst spending time at Stonyhurst College in the Ribble Valley, JRR Tolkien was inspired to write The Lord of the Rings.

5 of the best walks in 

Lancashire's

Forest of Bowland

So if you’re looking for some of the best walks in Lancashire, the Forest of Bowland is a pretty good place to start. Here is a selection of walks you might want to try if you are staying in Lancaster.

Bell Sykes Hay Meadow Walk

This a gentle, relaxing 2 mile or so Lancashire walk through flower rich meadows. It starts at the village of Slaidburn, surrounded by the Bowland Fells.

And the meadows at Bell Sykes qualify as Sites of Special Scientific Interest because of the wide variety of meadow species they contain. Here it is possible to entirely surround yourself in one of the rarest habitats in England.

There is an abundance of flower species as well as attendant butterflies, insects and swallows. (Grid ref: SD 7136 5235)

Aitken Wood and Pendle Sculpture tramper trail

This is a 2.75 mile woodland walk loaded with history, art and intrigue in the shadow of Pendle Hill.

The history of the Pendle Witches was the inspiration for four artists to create a range of sculptures. These include Phillippe Handford’s curving tree sculptures as well as other creations in wood, steel and stone.

As Forest of Bowland walks go, the route through Aitken Wood is at times moderately steep. But you will be rewarded with great views of Pendle Hill. And you may well spot any number of carefully protected bird species, or hear the Goldcrest, our smallest breeding bird, weighing only 5 or 6 grams. Listen out for its very high-pitched trill which it uses whilst moving through the tops of the trees. (Grid ref: SD82314034)

Downham, Worsaw Hill, and Chatburn

Known as Lancashire’s prettiest village, Downham is the starting point of this 5-mile circular route. It was the scene of iconic black and white 1960s film Whistle Down the Wind. A scene from Wuthering Heights was also shot nearby. By design, it remains relatively unchanged over the years. It’s a real haven from the past and a great place to start one of the most scenic Lancashire walks in the Forest of Bowland.

The first part of the walk is along footpaths and lanes overlooked by Pendle Hill, home to the ten so-called witches sentenced to death in 1612.

Then, expansive green and undulating landscapes take you past Chatburn, another pretty Lancashire village. Highlights along the route are Fairy Bridge, a beautiful small stone packhorse bridge, and a pretty limestone knoll near Downham Mill. (Grid ref: SD785441)

Cross of Greet Bridge, Bowland Knotts, Raven’s Castle and Cloven Stones

Stunning views in every direction, this 7.7-mile circular walk gives particularly good vistas north to the Yorkshire Dales Three Peaks.

The route starts at Cross of Greet Bridge and to begin with follows the River Hodder. Highlights include the 160-metre climb to Hasgill Fell and the fine views from the top.

Then you get to Bowland Knotts. This series of jagged outcrops evokes a sense of remoteness and tranquillity. And you get great views south to the Forest of Bowland fells, west to the Lake District fells and north to The Three Peaks – Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-Ghent. (Grid ref: SD702589)

Roeburndale

One of the more challenging Lancashire walks and not for the faint hearted. This well-known 8-mile route contains some steep sections and you will need sturdy footwear.

Across an extensive, verdant valley, the eastern edge is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest containing a wide range of ancient woodlands. Breeding birds here include the Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart and Green Woodpecker.

The names Roeburn, Harterbeck and Bowskill Wood all give clues to this area’s rich history as a vast hunting ground. Even the name Barkin Wood relates to the strange barking calls made by the deer. (Grid ref: SD60606747)