News articles

Thursday 22nd May - 10:30am to 4:00pm

Join us this spring to explore the wonderfully wild Forest of Bowland for observation, conversation, reflection and a guided creative writing workshop in the middle of Gisburn Forest – Lancashire’s largest expanse of woodland.

 Learn how to look deeply at the natural world and record thoughts and feelings on paper or on your tablet. Get tips on blogging, digital photography, starting a nature diary and bringing it altogether in a regular journal.

 This workshop takes place in an idyllic rural location with direct access to woodlands and meadows and is led by Mark Sutcliffe, a former editor of Country Walking and Lakeland Walker magazines and a regular contributor to some of the UK’s leading outdoor magazines – including Countryfile, Landscape and Country Living.

 Much of the course content will take place outdoors, but participants will have full access to toilets and indoor spaces throughout the day.

 Mark will offer mentoring and guidance on finding your voice, fieldwork and observation, pace and structure and – perhaps most importantly – getting started and establishing a writing habit.

 This course is designed to help aspiring writers develop their own distinctive voice and style with a mix of observation, reflection, conversation and mentoring. It is suitable for writers who want to use tablets to capture and tell their stories and those who prefer more traditional techniques such as sketching and making field notes in a nature diary.

Suitable for adults and accompanied older children.

£45 per person

Please book via this link: LCC Events

The Forest of Bowland National Landscape Partnership is excited to announce the extension of the Defra-funded Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme for an additional year, now running until the end of March 2026.

Since its launch in July 2021, this national initiative has involved over 7,000 farmers and land managers, supporting more than 4,600 projects in its first three years.

Grant funding is available for projects that align with Defra’s four themes: climate, nature, people and place, as well as the objectives outlined in the Forest of Bowland National Landscape Management Plan. The FiPL programme is delivered by Protected Landscapes across the country, including the dedicated team in the Forest of Bowland National Landscape.

Over the past four years in the Forest of Bowland, the programme has provided numerous benefits, including engaging with over 300 expressions of interest and delivering 167 successful projects. Through FiPL, farmers and land managers have been supported in initiatives that foster nature recovery, mitigate climate change impacts, provide opportunities for people to explore and enjoy the landscape and cultural heritage and deliver sustainable, nature-friendly farming practices.

One notable example is Croasdale Farm, a working upland beef and sheep farm committed to habitat management and educational outreach. Their successful application facilitated ecological surveys, the purchase of machinery for bracken management, educational access equipment and the creation and management of hedgerows and woodlands.

Other examples include the restoration of traditional barns, with new or restored windows and doors allowing continued agricultural use of these important landscape features. Additionally, three farms – as part of wider applications - received funding for equipment to enable direct sales of their own produce to the public.

Tarja Wilson, Forest of Bowland National Landscape FiPL Lead Officer said: "The team are looking forward to working with farmers and landowners to deliver a further year of the FiPL programme. On a local level, we have seen some great projects delivered, which will benefit both the environment and those within it. Our key strength is our team, which is made up of advisors who live in the area and have grown up on working farms. We'd love to work with new applicants to help a wider range of local farmers during these challenging times."

The Forest of Bowland National Landscape FiPL team will shortly be releasing further details about the programme extension.

In the meantime, we would encourage you to complete an Expression of Interest form on our website. https://www.forestofbowland.com/farming-protected-landscapes

The Forest of Bowland National Landscape team is excited to announce the launch of its 2025 ‘Discover Bowland’ Guide. This essential guide is perfect for anyone looking to make the most of their time in Bowland, whether you are a local eager to explore new areas or a visitor wanting to delve into the unique charm of this beautiful area.

The guide was officially launched on 26th February at Eight at Gazegill. The event was attended by over fifty members of the Bowland Sustainable Tourism Business network and partner organisations. Many of these partners contribute to the guide through advertisements, which help fund its production.

Delve into the pocket-friendly guide and discover Bowland on foot or by bike with our Eco Escapes itineraries. These thoughtfully crafted routes encourage you to slow down, embrace nature’s gentle rhythms and uncover Bowland’s hidden gems. Enjoy the changing seasons, savour delicious local food, engage in invigorating activities and relax in outstanding accommodation.

Festival Bowland got underway during the February half-term with the dynamic Dark Skies Festival. With events scheduled throughout the year, the Festival Bowland programme celebrates nature, landscape, culture and heritage, offering something for everyone.

The National Landscape Team has had an industrious year in 2024, developing and delivering numerous exciting projects. Explore our nature recovery plans, curlew awards, access for all developments and support for farmers and landowners through our Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme.

The guide will be widely available at tourist information centres, hospitality and accommodation providers and other outlets across the Forest of Bowland National Landscape. A digital version will also be available at: www.forestofbowland.com/discover-bowland-guide 

Both the guide and the companion Discover Bowland website are packed with information to help you make the most of your visit.

The Guide is free, but donations are welcome to Champion Bowland, the charity supporting sustainable tourism, environment and community projects across the protected area.

Hetty Byrne, the sustainable tourism officer for the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, said: “We hope the Discover Bowland guide and website will raise awareness of Bowland’s stunning natural beauty and the fantastic work of our partnership. Through the publication we aim to inspire visitors to connect with nature, extend their stay, reduce car use and support local businesses."

Funded places made possible through our Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme.

Thursday 13th February

10am - 2pm (lunch provided)

Wood End Farm, Dunsop Bridge

BB7 3BE

The Forest of Bowland Farmers Group are part funding* 10 places for a 3-hour practical Farming & Forestry First Aid Course.

This short course, which is valid for 3 years, is designed to complement a First Aid at Work course - giving additional training to meet farmer and forester needs, and more importantly, to equip a student to save a life until professional help arrives.

Read more about the course here: Farming & Forestry First Aid Course

*A small financial contribution will be required

Limited spaces available, to be allocated on a first come first serve basis.

Please contact laura.simpson2@lancashire.gov.uk to register your interest.

Two trainees are now forging careers based in the outdoors, as part of a scheme to promote nature, wellbeing and Outdoor Learning.

Connecting People and Nature (CPAN) is a three-year project based in Lancashire, and launched in 2023. It is being delivered jointly by education charity The Ernest Cook Trust with the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust.

The first trainee, Abbie Hampshire, spent a year on the project employed by The Ernest Cook Trust, and was so successful she has now gone on to a new role with Forest of Bowland National Landscape, as Community Engagement Officer for CPAN.

Her successor, Theonitsa Kindyni, is now working with the Trust on the CPAN project, and is already making great new connections and taking advantage of a wealth of training opportunities.

As the UK marks National Apprenticeship Week (February 10-16), the Connecting People and Nature partners are celebrating the success in helping Abbie and Theonitsa in their chosen careers.

Vicki McDermott, The Ernest Cook Trust’s Head of Learning, Operations and Partnerships (Cumbria & Lancashire), said: “It’s great to see Abbie’s career progression, through the trajectory of connecting people with nature. Her training, alongside the experience of working with the team, has enabled her to step into her new role, which is a great success. This in turn has opened up an opportunity for Theonitsa to join.”

Theonitsa’s role includes working with schools, helping to train teachers in how they can take their curriculum outside, and working with communities to arrange sessions around the needs of the people of the group, to get them outside.

She said: “I feel this role is very interactive, with lots of opportunities for me to explore different paths, and many people for me to talk to or shadow. I would really encourage people to go into an apprenticeship, especially those who want to explore an area they are passionate about but need some scaffolding to gain experience and deeper understanding of the options available to them.”

Abbie, who became a Forest School leader during her apprenticeship, said the traineeship had given her an opportunity to follow a passion for nature and explore a new career path.

“I feel very lucky that I was able to be part of a traineeship that allowed me to explore myself and learn new skills to further my career and development.”

Abbie and Theonitsa are just two in a long line of trainees and apprentices supported by The Ernest Cook Trust, which offers practical pathways into careers based in the outdoors and in Outdoor Learning.

For more information about Connecting People and Nature project, visit https://www.forestofbowland.com/connecting-people-nature.

As part of the national arts programme, Nature Calling, the Forest of Bowland National Landscape are delighted to present new work by OneDa, a Manchester-based rapper and BBC 6 Music favourite. OneDa’s music blends hip-hop, drum and bass, afro-trap and afrobeats.

Fresh from an exciting year in 2024, including multiple award wins and the release of her debut album ‘Formula OneDa’, OneDa’s ‘Connections’ rap brings to life her visits to the Forest of Bowland National Landscape. She says of the process:

“Creating Connections was a deeply immersive journey of exploration, reflection, and collaboration. The Forest of Bowland—vast, serene, and unfamiliar—became both a source of inspiration and a space for personal and creative transformation. This project wasn’t just about writing; it was about engaging with the land, its sounds, and the stories it holds to craft an experience that resonates beyond the written word.

A significant part of my process involved facilitating Hip-Hop and spoken word workshops with young people from surrounding areas. These sessions gave me valuable insight into their perspectives and experiences of Bowland, adding a rich layer of depth and authenticity to the piece. Their voices shaped the work, reminding me of the importance of community and collaboration in art.

As a Black artist, this process carried additional significance. Navigating spaces like Bowland—places often disconnected from the stories and histories I grew up with—challenged me to break down barriers, both external and internal. It became an opportunity to rewrite my relationship with nature and reflect on the ways these landscapes can serve as spaces for healing, discovery, and belonging.

Connections is an invitation. It asks listeners and readers alike to wander, to question, and to immerse themselves in the unknown. It’s about finding beauty beneath the surface, breaking boundaries, and allowing ourselves to truly connect—with nature, with others, and with ourselves.”

Alongside OneDa's work, the National Landscapes Association is today releasing new work by MOBO award winning Still Shadey from Croydon, Dorset based poet and author Louisa Adjoa Parker, up and coming poet Ayesha Chouglay and poet, educator and proud Lutonian, Lee Nelson. The work inspires and reflects on new feelings of connection to England’s most iconic places.

In 2025 Nature Calling, funded by the Arts Council and DEFRA, is bringing together the 34 National Landscapes in England, local arts organisations and community groups from within a 30-minute journey time of their nearby National Landscape in an ambitious new national arts programme. In the Forest of Bowland we are working collaboratively with Lancaster Arts and Blaze Arts to support our artists to co-create artworks inspired by these iconic places, and the results will be shared with the public in a Season of Art from May - October 2025, reaching an audience of tens of thousands.

John Watkins, Chief Executive of the National Landscapes Association said:

“I’m thrilled with the quality and range of written and spoken pieces we’re releasing today as part of the Nature Calling programme. The pieces are incredibly poignant, they are moving and meaningful and beautifully conjure up what the writers felt and thought whilst in a National Landscape. Our aim, through Nature Calling is to support people from all walks of life to find new ways to connect with their National Landscapes on their terms – either for the first or the thousandth time – to discover and share their unique connection. There is truly something for everyone amongst these pieces.”

Read and listen to 'Connections' here: https://youtu.be/gxe10MzSyPs

Visit www.naturecalling.org.uk and www.forestofbowland.com/nature-calling to find out more and to get involved.

Enjoy a week of exciting events celebrating the beauty of the winter night skies above Bowland

Starting on Monday 17th February and running through until Saturday 22nd, this year's festival highlights the fantastic starscapes above Bowland, finds out about some of the area's nocturnal inhabitants, discovers the international career of a local astronomer and offers a fun, family-friendly creative afternoon.

Event Highlights:

Discover the fascinating career of Preston-born astronomer, Frank Holden, on 17th February, with an online talk from Preston & District Astronomical Society. Frank's astronomical journey began at the age of ten, and his career took him from Lancashire to the United States and South Africa before returning to the UK.

18th February offers a chance to visit Frank's workplace of almost 20 years – the Jeremiah Horrocks Observatory, based in Moor Park in Preston. View the historic Cooke 8-inch refractor telescope, enjoy a talk on the night sky and – weather permitting – step outside for some winter stargazing.

Explore the after-dark world of Forestry England's Gisburn Forest on the evening of Thursday 20th February. A number of all-terrain wheelchairs will be available for pre-booking, offering a great chance to experience this lovely location in an accessible way.

Learn about one of our most recognisable nocturnal creatures – the badger – on the morning of 21st February when Lancashire County Council ranger, Paul Shoreman, leads a guided walk in Ribchester.

The Wild By Nature Explorers session in Dunsop Bridge on Saturday 22nd has proved very popular and is already fully booked, but places can still be reserved on their waiting list.

Further information about all the Bowland Dark Skies Festival events, including booking details, can be found at: Festival Bowland Events | Forest of Bowland National Landscape

Sandra Silk, Forest of Bowland National Landscape Project Officer said: "We're so lucky that the relatively low levels of light pollution in Bowland let us see our night skies in all their glory. 

Whether you're looking for astronomy, wildlife, family fun, or simply being inspired by the beauty of Bowland after dark, we hope you'll find something to tempt you along during our night sky-themed week of events."

An inspiring collaboration spanning field to fork, between farmers, chefs, butchers and industry organisations was held recently at Town End Farm Shop in Airton, in the Yorkshire Dales.

Throughout the afternoon a group of chefs from renowned restaurants in the North, as well as representatives from businesses; Lake District Farmers and Swaledale Butchers, joined the farmers to learn more about the whole process and build relationships that could subsequently be mutually beneficial for all.

After the butchery session, the chefs and industry partners, were very kindly hosted by Neil Heseltine and Leigh Weston at Hill Top Farm, Malham to see first hand the benefits that their herd of Pasture for Life Certified Belted Galloway Cattle bring to the farm, enhancing biodiversity and the landscape, whilst being profitable and enabling the couple to have the work / life balance they value for their family.

For the farmers, the afternoon continued with two further sessions, one led by Paul Bache from food industry training experts Verner Wheelock , based in Skipton, focussed on appropriate legislation. The second of which featured Dr Gillian Butler from Newcastle University highlighting the nutritional and health benefits of meat produced in pasture based systems.

Hosted by the fantastic team at Town End Farm Shop, headed up by Chris Wildman, in their atmospheric cafe, everyone sat down together to celebrate and enjoy a delicious meal, showcasing lots of different cuts and menu ideas, all cooked by industry renowned chef Steph Moon, incorporating meat from the three belted galloway cattle, seen back in October.

With not a hungry person left in the room, the evening concluded with Chris and Rich, leading an engaging charcuterie session, an additional way of adding value to carcases and utilising joints like topside and silverside, which can often be overlooked.

“The number of people attending this event demonstrates the desire for farmers to explore ways of maximising the value of their animals” explains Project Manager for Pasture for Life, Rob Bunn “Pulling together this event has been a real team effort and I’m delighted we’ve been able to respond to farmers requests, by putting it on”.

The event was funded by Farming in Protected Landscapes Funding from 5 Protected Landscapes in the North of England; Yorkshire Dales and Lake District National Parks and Nidderdale, North Pennines and Forest of Bowland National Landscapes, as part of the Pasture for Life Programme ‘Pasture & Profit in Protected Landscapes’. Farmers in these five protected landscapes are invited to continue to sign up to the free programme by contacting Rob on email; rob@pastureforlife.org

Mind, Body, Nature Connection Walk

Saturday 9th November, 9.30am – 1pm, Barley

£10 per person

Join us for a lovely 3 mile circular walk with Rewilding Outdoor Therapy.



Along the route we'll experience forest bathing. Also known as Shinrin-yoku, this Japanese practice is the simple method of being calm and quiet amongst trees, observing nature, whilst engaging our senses.



During the walk, participants will have the chance to explore how nature has impacted each and every one of us, how we have connected with the more-than-human world and how we hope to nurture this connection in the future.



This event is for participants of 18 years old and over.  (The route includes some inclines, uneven ground and stiles.)



Booking essential. Please use this link: LCC Events (lancashire.gov.uk) Please note that bookings will close on Sunday 3rd November.

Early analysis of data from ten years of BeeWalk surveys in the Yorkshire Dales and Forest of Bowland points to wildflower-rich hay meadows as one of the best food sources for bumblebees.

This year marks ten years of BeeWalks, carried out by dedicated volunteers as part of a joint project by charity Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) and the Forest of Bowland National Landscape to restore wildflower habitats for bumblebees and other pollinators.

An animated film will be released this week celebrating the 10-year milestone and highlighting the importance of hay meadows as a vital food source for bumblebees https://youtu.be/_QbN9-s8krw?si=mAQef8C5YrymXrRm

BeeWalk is a national citizen science scheme established by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Data collected is both a source of information for understanding how Britain’s bumblebees are doing, and critical for taking decisions on how we can best help bumblebees to survive and thrive.

For the last decade, volunteers have walked 485 kilometers across 24 different sites in the Dales and Forest of Bowland to collect bumblebee data. Early analysis shows how beneficial wildflower hay meadows can be for bumblebees and other insects both in terms of the sheer number of bumblebees recorded and the diversity of species.

The full report, to be published later this year, will provide crucial insights into the needs of pollinators in the local area, together with detailed information about the wildflower species and habitats they depend upon to thrive.

“Data from our research points to wildflower-rich hay meadows as one of the best food sources for bumblebees and highlights the importance of our work to restore and expand these species-rich habitats.”

Other highlights from initial analysis of the BeeWalk data shows:

• A total of 21,663 bumblebees of 12 different species recorded.
• The white and buff tailed bumblebees were the most commonly recorded, making up over 70% of records some years.
• All other species’ numbers have fluctuated over the years, but white and buff tailed bumblebees are on a definite upward trend.
• The top four flowers visited were red and white clover, yellow rattle and common knapweed.

Maurice White, a BeeWalk volunteer for almost a decade, said:

“I’ve learned a great deal about the range of bumblebee species we see in the Dales. They’re an indicator of the health of the environment. Where I do my counting is a really beautiful place and it’s a delight and a privilege to be even a tiny part of supporting and encouraging that.”

Thanks to funding from the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA), which has enabled two years’ worth of YDMT’s BeeWalks, YDMT has been able to reach ten years of the project and collect invaluable data.