Each with such distinctive character and natural beauty that it is in the nation’s interest to safeguard them for present and future generations and manage them in the interests of everyone in society. They are also recognised globally as Protected Areas under the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN Category V).
The 38 National Landscapes in England and Wales cover approximately 16 % of the land surface. They are some of the most special and cherished places in our country. Like all IUCN Category V Protected Areas, they are also living, working landscapes that contribute billions of pounds every year to the local and national economy. Although home to less than half a million people (under 2% of England’s population), over two thirds of England’s population live within half an hour’s drive of a National Landscape and around 150 million people visit the country’s National Landscapes every year, spending in excess of £2bn.
An introduction to the Forest of Bowland National Landscape
The Forest of Bowland was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1964. It is internationally important for its heather moorland, blanket bog and rare upland birds. The components of natural beauty in the Forest of Bowland were set out in a Statement of Significance when the AONB was assessed and designated.
The Forest of Bowland is in North West England and covers 803 square kilometres of the Pennines (730 in Lancashire and 73 in North Yorkshire). The area is bounded to the north and south by the Rivers Lune and Ribble, respectively. To the west is the Fylde plain, while the eastern side of the boundary matches the Yorkshire Dales National Park for a short distance, with Ribblesdale bordering the remainder. On its south-eastern edge, Pendle Hill (557m) forms a discrete landscape feature, which is geologically linked to the rest of Bowland, but separated from the main area by the Ribble valley.
The Rivers Brock, Calder, Conder, Hindburn, Hodder, Loud, Roeburn, Wenning and Wyre all originate in the upland core of the Bowland Fells. The highest point is Ward’s Stone at 561m, alongside other notable landmarks such as Fairsnape Fell at 510m and Hawthornthwaite Fell at 479m.
Bowland lacks large settlements and has an estimated population of approximately 17,500 people. Its boundaries include parts of five Lancashire district council areas, namely: Lancaster, Pendle, Preston, Ribble Valley and Wyre; plus, a part of North Yorkshire Council that was formerly Craven District. The urban centres of Preston, Lancaster, Blackburn, Blackpool and Burnley are all near to Bowland, with over one million people living within a 30-minute journey of the area. Bowland is also within a 90-minute journey from the major conurbations of Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds.
The designation is overseen by a partnership of local councils, government agencies, landowners, farmers, local businesses and wildlife and recreation interest groups, who work to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of this special landscape. https://www.forestofbowland.com/Joint-Advisory-Committee
Turning the Last Plan into Action: Key Achievements since 2019
