Itineraries

We’ve created a collection of itineraries to help visitors make the most of their time in Bowland. Each itinerary focuses on a different area of the National Landscape, with some focusing on outdoor adventures and activities, hidden gems and food & drink. Find the one that matches your special interests for a day trip or download them all and start planning a longer visit!

Silverdale’s wildlife-rich limestone coast

This two-day itinerary starts amid the rugged limestone coastline of Silverdale and explores the forests and nature reserves of the National Landscape whilst winding its way south over the gnarly outcrop of Warton Crag to depart from Carnforth Station

Family-friendly adventure in the Forest of Bowland

Starting in Clitheroe, head into the country lanes of the Forest of Bowland to the pretty village of Dunsop Bridge, where you can walk with alpacas and explore the beautiful Dunsop Valley on foot or by e-bike before heading to Bowland Wild Boar farm.

Summit Else: take on mighty Pendle Hill

Are you ready to tackle the climb to the summit of Pendle Hill – one of the most iconic hills in the whole of Lancashire? Starting in Clitheroe, this challenging car-free hike promises stunning views and a real sense of achievement.

Journey to the Centre of the Kingdom!

This three-day itinerary takes you – literally – to the centre of Britain and goes on to explore some of the beautiful landscapes and pretty villages of the Forest of Bowland on foot and by bike. It’s an ideal short break for active couples or adventurous families.

Gisburn Forest and Stocks Reservoir Adventure

In the hills above Slaidburn there’s a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Walking, trail-running, mountain-biking, fly fishing and birding are all on the agenda for visitors with a taste for adventure. There’s also a Tramper Trail for outdoor enthusiasts with restricted mobility.

Fields, Fells and Fabulous Local Food

The southwestern fringe of the Forest of Bowland combines striking scenery with rich farmland and superb local produce. Local cheeses are a speciality, but you’ll also find artisan pies, cooked meats, bread and confectionary in the many local shops and cafes.

The Hidden Bowland Dales

The fells that dominate the skyline above Lancaster are the highest in Bowland and while rugged hills like Clougha Pike and Tarnbrook Fell offer exhilarating fell-walking opportunities, the intimate valleys of Roeburndale, Hindburndale and Grizedale reveal a gentler side to the elemental upland landscapes of Bowland.

Pendle Hill: Summit Else!

There are seven routes to the top of iconic Pendle Hill and many more through the pretty villages and valleys nearby. Whether you’re on the trail of the witches, looking for a new challenge, or just want to admire the view from the summit, your epic Pendle Hill adventure starts here.

Classic Bowland hillclimbs

This itinerary combines some of the Forest of Bowland’s iconic climbs in three classic routes which explore the highlights of this National Landscape in one long weekend. Take your time and take them on individually or combine them in one epic tour of the Forest of Bowland.

Find somewhere to stay

Alternative Adventure and Outdoor Activities Service

We deliver professionally run outdoor education and outdoor pursuits activities for the widest possible range of groups. Venues used are around the Lancashire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester area. This includes corporate events, management groups, Over 50's clubs, hen parties, stag ...

the golf course with trees, blue sky and distant hills

Bentham Golf Course

Bentham Golf Course is a picturesque, family-run 18 hole golf course situated at the foot of the Yorkshire Three Peaks. Previously described as ‘a Diamond of the Dales’, Bentham offers a challenge to golfers of all abilities and visitors are ...

Bowland and Bay

As the Forest of Bowland’s reputation for artisan food spreads across the country, Katie Wilson at Bowland and Bay is showcasing some of Lancashire’s best artisan food and drink After 30 years in various tourism and buying roles, the pandemic ...

Bowland Wild Boar Park

Nestling beside the River Hodder in a remote valley beneath the rugged ridgeline of the Bleasdale Fells, Bowland Wild Boar Park maintains a tradition dating back to the middle ages – along with a host of fun activities for the ...

Browsholme Hall

The Parker family has been associated with the Forest of Bowland for more than five centuries and their family seat of historic Browsholme Hall is the oldest family home in continuous occupation in Lancashire. Browsholme Hall is a magnificent Grade ...

Carla Gebhard

I’m a watercolour artist and illustrator and I also have a lovely little shop/studio at Wyresdale Park, where I sell my artwork and also hold watercolour workshops. I specialise in nursery and children’s artwork, inspired by animals, nature and all ...

Dale House Barn Luxury B&B & Cookery Courses

Michelin-trained chef Dominique Ashford has tuned into the slower rhythms of nature after swapping the top end restaurants of London for wild food and foraging in the Forest of Bowland For a really wild adventure in one of the most ...

Goosnargh Gin

Richard and Rachel Trenchard were quietly building a widely admired brand of artisan gin, distilled and rooted in the landscapes of Bowland – and then the Hairy Bikers dropped in for a quick G&T… After developing an interest in handcrafted ...

NaturesGems Tours

Experienced naturalist and active conservationist Gemma Wren leads small groups on bespoke nature tours of Morecambe Bay and its diverse range of habitats. Owned and operated by practising environment consultant Gemma Wren, NaturesGems Tours offers immersive wildlife experiences in some ...

Ribble Valley E-Bikes

Based in Dunsop Bridge in the heart of the Forest of Bowland, Ribble Valley e-bikes has a fleet of electric bikes available for visitors to hire and explore Bowland straight from the shop. Ribble Valley E-bike Hire is based in ...

RSPB Leighton Moss

Conveniently located just a 200m walk from Silverdale station, Leighton Moss is one of the RSPB’s most accessible reserves and home to a host of spectacular wildlife, from marsh harriers and ospreys to red deer and otters. Conveniently located just ...

Smelt Mill surrounded by hills and stream

Smelt Mill Outdoor Centre

Smelt Mill provides accommodation for groups in the heart of the Forest of Bowland National Landscape. It is ideally located for outdoor activities such as walking, mountain biking and bird watching. Rooms – 5 x 2 beds, 3 x 4 ...

The Courtyard Dairy

The finest cheese - delivered to your door. It's no wonder The Daily Telegraph lists The Courtyard Dairy as one of the Top 10 Cheese Shops in the World. The Courtyard Dairy is a truly special cheese maturer and shop. ...

The Gathering Fields

After returning to her childhood home, natural therapist Helen Leece established a centre for wellbeing and renewal high among the hills on the western fringe of the Forest of Bowland. The Gathering Fields is a rural Retreat centre teaching Yoga, ...

The Rewilding

For big skies, wide open spaces and the perfect environment for rewilding yourself, head over to the windswept salt marshes of the Lancashire coast, where the Forest of Bowland meets the sea! After travelling the world with a high-powered job ...

Wild Fox Distillery

Deep in the heart of the Forest Bowland’s famed ‘Lancashire cheese triangle’, a traditional dairy farming family are ploughing their own furrow by producing a distinctive artisan gin with deep roots in the local landscape Founded in 2019 as part ...

Wood End Farm and Alpaca Experience

Our family have farmed here for over 100 years. It is a traditional hill farm, with beef and sheep, set in the beauty and tranquility of this unspoilt area in rural Lancashire. We believe in preserving the best of traditional ...