The Forest of Bowland
The Forest of Bowland together with Pendle was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1964. Bordering on the Fylde Coast to the west, and the Yorkshire Dales to the east, from the tourist's point of view this area of north Lancashire is often forgotten and bypassed. However, the scenery - a mixture of hill and fell, moorland, woods, rivers and pasture land - is one of continuous beauty.
The market town of Clitheroe, whose Castle dominates the area, makes an ideal starting point for exploring the area which includes Whalley with its ancient ruined abbey, Ribchester a former Roman settlement, and Pendle famous for its witches.
Villages in the area which are popular tourist objectives include Slaidburn in the north, Chipping in the west, Hurst Green with Stonyhurst College in the south, and Bolton-by-Bowland in the east.
Walks around a Pub in the Forest of Bowland
The Hen Harrier
symbol of
The Forest of Bowland
The Forest of Bowland is ideal walking country. 17 walks have been chosen for those who like to combine their recreation with a pub lunch and drink. Each walk is circular with car parking indicted where the walker may choose to start. Distances vary from 6 to 11 miles and each walk offers a variety of scenery. Some of the walks feature one of the rivers Hodder and Ribble in combination with fellscape and meadow land. All walks are based on the O.S OpenSpace map which should be printed out from each walks page.
The O.S. Map Explorer OL 41 - Forest of Bowland and Ribblesdale covers this area in detail.

A Satellite Image of the area covered by each map on the site is available as a pop-up.
View the list of walk from the menu (top left) or view the walks on the area map by clicking here.
The walker is advised to read the site info page especially the section on maps before starting a walk
.
Spot the Hen Harrier
Recognize the Harrier
Link to the RSPB
more...
Inns and Pubs in the Forest of Bowland
Each walk is around a pub. Collecting up-to-date information on each of these pubs is on going. There has been many changes in the last 20 years when this site was first opened including quite a few closures.
Links are given to those pubs with websites where known and the walker is advised to check the opening times if a visit is planned.
Walking the Hodder
The River Hodder is a major feature in the Forest of Bowland landscape. From its source above Slaidburn to its confluence with the Ribble close to Hurst Green, the Hodder is a valuable wild life resource. 5 walks allow the course of the Hodder to be explored; each walk is circular and takes in a pub.
View the 5 Stages from the menu above or click
here.
Shorter Walks around a Pub
A start has been made to offer shorter walks around a pub. These on the whole will not be more than 6 miles and perhaps less strenuous than those above. Five walks are based on Hurst Green and three on Chipping. View these from the menu above.
11 walks in all.
The Forest of Bowland
has its own Brewery
based in Holmes Mill Clitheroe.
And the Brewery's
flagship pale ale is
'Hen Harrier'.
Bowland Brewery
Other Walks - Lakes and Dales
A further 12 walks listed in the above menu are presented from the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales.

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Clitheroe Castle
inn sign of
The Castle pub Clitheroe