News articles

Thursday 23rd June to 3rd July sees Bowland's first cycling festival, and an exciting programme of events to celebrate all that is special about cycling in this beautiful area.

Whether you're new to cycling or regularly tackle one of Bowland's iconic climbs, enjoy pedalling under your own steam, or welcome a more leisurely e-bike ride - there will be something for everyone!

Organiser Phil Wade from Breaking Cycles CIC said: "The Bowland Cycling Festival is a collection of small events run by local cycling enthusiasts, community organisations and businesses who share a passion for cycling in the Forest of Bowland. It is our intention, over time, to develop and grow these events to showcase all that the area has to offer as a cycling destination and celebrate some of the amazing things that already happen here". He adds: "Cyclists in the Forest of Bowland tend to keep themselves to themselves, quietly enjoying living and riding in one of the most beautiful and engaging landscapes in the UK. When it comes to describing the Forest of Bowland as a destination, it is often referred to as a ‘hidden gem’ or one of the ‘best kept secrets".

Clitheroe is a hub for fantastic eateries and the all-important refreshment stop.  Head to Clitheroe market Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday for some wonderful café stops with the barista-style cafe Horse Box serving breakfast and lunch using locally sourced produce, or Blueberries café and the Secret Garden café with useful outside space for securing bikes. If you fancy a more pub-like atmosphere, enjoy the outdoor space at the café and bar at Holme's Mill or explore the town for a whole array of pubs, restaurants, and cafes.  Or if you want to make a break of it visit www.discoverbowland.uk for a round-up of local accommodation.

Below is the full programme of events, but for full details visit the Festival Facebook page: www.facebook.com/BowlandCF/

Events

Saturday 18th June – 30th September - Wheelie Good Exhibition: Gosha Gibek, Clitheroe Castle Museum

The Wheelie Good Exhibition is a visual celebration of cycling in the Forest of Bowland. Have a look at the exhibited artworks, meet the artists and engage with workshops and events from the gallery.

Thursday 23rd June (12:00) - Sharing the Road: Fagan & Whalley, Ribble Valley e-bikes, Breaking Cycles CIC

‘Hills’ and ‘Traffic’ are the two most stated reason to not cycle in the Forest of Bowland. This event showcases the techniques and technology that can overcome both. Have a look at the technology fitted to Fagan & Whalley’s trucks, which help drivers to see us and experience the support of an e-bike!

Friday 24th June (19:30) - Ride Pendle with Breaking Cycles CIC

Join Phil, from Breaking Cycles CIC for a guided ride on country lanes and bridleways around Pendle Hill. As the sun is setting, we will be returning to the centre of Clitheroe, where opportunities to ‘refuel’ will be plentiful if needed!

Saturday 25th June (08:00) - The Green Jersey: Challenge Rides

Join the Green Jersey Cycling Club for a challenge ride of your choosing. Ride any, or all, of the three ‘Grimpeur’ routes to conquer some of the most notorious local climbs or head off for an adventure ride on your Gravel Bike.

Saturday 25th June (10:00) - Beginners & Improvers led ride: Breaking Cycles CIC

Join Breaking Cycles CIC for a gentle paced, social group ride from Clitheroe. This will be led by qualified cycling instructors who can provide tips and advice to support your progression.

Saturday 25th June (11:00 – 15:00) Dr Bike

Call in to see Dr Bike at Clitheroe Castle - free advice and guidance on bike maintenance/repair from a qualified cycle mechanic

Saturday 25th June (14:00) - Pedal Pilgrimage with Revd. Andrew Froud

Join Revd. Andrew Froud on a scenic guided ride between Ribble Valley Churches and Whalley Abbey.

Sunday 26th June (11:00) - Wheely Good Exhibition: Meet the Artists

An opportunity to meet the people behind the artwork on display. There will also be an opportunity to have a go at using Gosha Gibek’s Gloss Drip technique!

Sunday 26th June (13:00) - Jack Young at Clarion House

Classical Pianist, Jack Young will be performing a combination of classical pieces and his own improvisations from the Clarion House Garden.

Wednesday 29th June (18:15) - NLRC evening 10s: Newcomers Night

The evening 10 is a great starting point for many a racing cyclist. Newcomers Night is a supportive opportunity for riders who have never raced before to come along and have a go.

Saturday 2nd July (14:00) - Wheely Good Exhibition: Bike Bites

We all like to talk about our bikes and our adventures. Bike Bites is a collection of short talks, sharing passion for cycling from different perspectives.

Sunday 3rd July (06:00) - Bowland Audax: Saddleworth Clarion

This 200KM Audax ride begins at Denshaw and brings cyclists through some of our finest roads, scenery, and cafes!

Notes to Editors:

For press enquiries, please contact Phil Wade, Breaking Cycles CIC: breakingcyclescic@gmail.com, Tel: 07746 272643

Bowland Cycling Festival is a celebration of cycling in the Forest of Bowland.  It is the first year that the festival has run, and it is hoped that the festival will grow in subsequent years. 

It is organised by local cycling enthusiasts, supported by private businesses and public sector organisations on a not-for-profit basis.

STONE WALLING, WALKING & FOOTWEAR IN THE FELLS

Lower Lythe Farm, Lowgill, Tatham Fells 

Sunday 12 and Saturday 25 June, Saturday 23 July, Saturday 13 August & Saturday 20 August 2022 

This exciting programme of summer events celebrating rural skills and the local landscape have been funded through the National Landscape's Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme.

The events are all taking place at Lower Lythe Farm near Lowgill and are looking at traditional crafts such as stone walling, stone carving and shoe making, whilst also exploring ideas around mortality and our place in the landscape.

Refreshments at the farm also available.

Additional Info for the events/walks:

Walk on 20th August - there is a car parking available at the Old School car park in Lowgill, please email Esther Nimmo to book a place on the walk. 

Feel free to bring along cake or snacks to share :)

The car park at the Old School / Church can also be used by walkers visiting the walling project.  Donations in the wall box in church are welcome.

Click here or the poster to view the full programme of events

There are few things more uplifting than the sight of a meadow bursting with blooms and buzzing with insect life. How lovely if we could capture those rainbow colours and delicate forms and keep a slice of summer with us all year round….

Hay meadows are a special habitat that has suffered a massive decline over the last century. Here in the Forest of Bowland we have been working hard to restore this habitat through our Hay Time projects in partnership with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT).

Project officer, Carol Edmondson, will be working with local farmers and landowners to restore a further 20 hectares of hay meadows, which have lost some of their characteristic wildflowers over recent decades.

The sessions below are part of a series of complementary events and activities which aim to increase awareness, enjoyment and understanding of hay meadows in the Bowland area.

FREE



The chance to explore a real meadow 'hub' in Bowland! Over the course of this three and a half mile walk we will find out about the meadow restoration work at Gisburn Forest Hub, visit the Biological Heritage Site at St. James' Chapel and enjoy the flora at Black House Farm, where the meadows have been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. 



Inspirational Meadow Walk #2 (PLACES AVAILABLE FOR NON-WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS)

Wednesday 6 July, 10.30am - 12 noon, Crook o' Lune, Lancaster

Free



Join us for a morning of floral immersion! A relaxing stroll around the Life 4 a Life meadow on the banks of the River Lune, with time to absorb the abundance of bees, flowers and bird life enjoying the habitat here, created in partnership with the National Landscape, Life 4a Life and the Community Pollinator Patch volunteers.

 

Meadow Art Workshop - Fused Glass (FULLY BOOKED. RESERVE LIST AVAILABLE)

Saturday 9 July, 1.30pm – 4pm, Caton

£15 per person

Lune Valley artist,  Anne Somers, will guide you through each stage of the fused glass process to help you create colourful pieces reflecting flowers, grasses, bees - in fact, whatever takes your meadow imagination!

Saturday 16 July, 1.30pm – 4pm, Sabden

£15 per person

Join Pendle-based ceramic artist, Julie Miles, as she shows us how to make porcelain clay tiles, using natural materials to create patterns and pictures. Have fun introducing a splash of colour using underglaze and oxides to pick up the details on the surfaces once fired.  

All materials, tools and tuition will be provided.

Places for both the walks and workshops need to be booked in advance by emailing sandra.silk@lancashire.gov.uk or by phoning Sandra on 07973 923142.

National Meadows Day in Bowland this year will be taking place on 2nd & 3rd July at The Gathering Fields, Over Wyresdale. Find out all the details here https://www.forestofbowland.com/national-meadow-day-2022

Whether you live here, or you're visiting on holiday, the Forest of Bowland is a year-round discovery for all ages.

Get your wellies on for a fun-filled, family day out!  

Many of Bowland's local shows pride themselves on being traditional agricultural and horticultural shows, and are a great opportunity to enjoy a slice of rural life in the local community – making the perfect family day out.

Why not visit our traditional steam fairs – in Chipping, 28th to 29th May and Slaidburn, 11th to 12th June. 

For food lovers be sure to visit Clitheroe, 30th July for the annual food festival - expect quality Lancashire produce, inspirational chefs, exciting culinary activities for all the family and great music from the area.

Local Shows, Festivals and Fairs for 2022

• Chipping Steam Fair, 28th to 29th May - www.chippingsteamfair.com
• Slaidburn Steam Fair, 11th to 12th June - www.slaidburnsteam.co.uk/
• Forest of Bowland National Meadows Day, 2nd July - www.forestofbowland.com/national-meadow-day-2022
• Goosnargh and Longridge Show, 9th July - www.glashow.org.uk
• Royal Lancashire Show, 22nd to 24th July – www.royallancashireshow.co.uk/
• Clitheroe Food Festival, 30th July - http://clitheroefoodfestival.com
• Garstang Show, 6th August - www.garstangshow.org 
• Chipping Show, 27th August - www.chippingshow.co.uk
• Bentham Show, 3rd September - https://www.facebook.com/Bentham-Agricultural-Show
• Hodder Valley Show, 10th September - www.hoddervalleyshow.co.uk
• Lancashire Game & Country Festival, 10 to 11th September - www.lancashiregamefestival.co.uk/

A brand-new exhibition of night sky images has opened in the lovely setting of the Steward's Gallery at Clitheroe Castle Museum.

The exhibition has been organised by the Forest of Bowland National Landscape Partnership and Clitheroe Castle Museum staff to highlight the magical site of the night skies in Bowland – an area fortunate to have relatively little light pollution.

Following a call-out earlier this year, photographers submitted their dark sky images via the visitor gallery on the National Landscape's website. The images have been transformed into 20 stunning prints, which now hang in the Steward's Gallery adjoining the museum.

Sandra Silk, Forest of Bowland National Landscape Project Officer, said, "We've been so impressed by the quality of the photographs submitted for the exhibition. There are some beautiful images, which range from nebulae and star trails to constellations and local landscapes captured after the sun has set."

Clitheroe Castle Museum Manager, Claire Sutton, said, "We are thrilled to be hosting the Dark Skies exhibition this year – so many amazing images – it's well worth the visit.  The Steward's Galley is open daily from 11am-4pm and there's the castle and the museum to explore too so do call in. We'd love to see you."

The exhibition will run until Sunday 5th June.  Admission to the Steward's Gallery is free.

Opening times for the museum and gallery are available online at https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/museums/

The Lancashire branch of Butterfly Conservation will be leading a walk along the Langden Valley in the heart of Bowland on Wednesday 4th May, when they'll be on the search for the beautiful green hairstreak butterfly and the amazing day flying emperor moth.

Nordic walkers can practise their skills in the lovely surroundings of the Lune Millennium Park near Lancaster on Sunday 8th; and for those who enjoy a little history, chartered civil engineer, Chris Hudson, will be exploring the medieval bridges of the Ribble Valley online on the evening of the 10th May.

Bumblebees will be making an appearance both virtually and actually – fingers crossed – as the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and the Forest of Bowland National Landscape combine to offer an online beginners' session over lunchtime on the 18th, followed by an optional "spotter" walk at Gisburn Forest early in June.

The programme is back with Butterfly Conservation again on the evening of the 26th May, this time online. Great for anyone unable to make it along to the walk earlier in the month.

And for those of a creative nature, the annual Maiden Bridge Gallery exhibition starts its summer run on 28th May. Open Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays, the Tatham-based exhibition closes on Sunday 10th July.

Full details of all Festival Bowland events, including booking information, can be found on the Forest of Bowland National Landscape website at https://www.forestofbowland.com/Festival-Bowland-Events

A successful peatland restoration project draws to a close as funding success for another is announced in the Forest of Bowland National Landscape (National Landscape).

The Forest of Bowland National Landscape Partnership announces £200,000 peatland funding from the Nature for Climate Peatland Discovery Grant scheme. This allows the Partnership to continue the recent success of the Pennine PeatLIFE project, which has restored 250 hectares of peatland.

This funding will enable the Partnership to survey 8,500 ha of peatland – including Historic Environment features – to establish baseline data for the condition of deep peat in the National Landscape. Within that area, 20 sites covering over 2000 ha will be surveyed in more detail to produce restoration plans. The funding in Forest of Bowland National Landscape will be match-funded by United Utilities and by a private landowner.

As one peatland project starts, another drew to a successful close in Forest of Bowland in 2021; Pennine PeatLIFE restored 250 ha of peatlands on United Utilities owned land at Langden Head, Webster’s Meadow and Hareden Fell.

The work, which was funded by the EU LIFE programme, United Utilities and the Environment Agency, and delivered in partnership with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, included:

• installing 3,451 peat, stone and timber dams in 40km of eroding gullies.
• reprofiling and revegetating 72km of grip and eroding gully and hag edges
• revegetating nearly 6ha of bare peat with heather brash, seed and plug plants
• planting 16k sphagnum plugs
• planting 64,700 cottongrass plugs

Elliott Lorimer, Forest of Bowland National Landscape Manager, said:

“As well as being beautiful landscapes, our peatlands are home to striking wildlife, store millennia of carbon, filter our drinking water and help to reduce the risk of flooding by 'slowing the flow'. We’ve been leading restoration activity in Forest of Bowland over the last decade and I’m really looking forward to building on that success over the next.”

Rosie Snowden, Peatland Projects Manager at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, said:

“Peatland restoration is a long-term project. We’ve seen immediate benefits in Forest of Bowland, but it’s going take time for new peat to start to form. I’m thrilled that the National Landscape Partnership is going to be able to continue with this vital work.”

Rural businesses in the Forest of Bowland are inviting tourists to stay longer and explore more with the launch of the Discover Bowland visitor guide

As the Forest of Bowland National Landscape launches its 2022 ‘Discover Bowland’ Guide, rural business in the National Landscape’s Sustainable Tourism Network are gearing up for another busy year.

As well as offering practical advice and information on making the most of their holidays and short breaks in Bowland, the Discover Guide also tells the stories of how many local businesses have refocused and rebuilt during the pandemic and are now embracing ‘slow tourism’ in the amazing landscapes of the Forest of Bowland.

The National Landscape is a year-round tourist destination, with miles of footpaths and traffic-free cycle trails, outstanding local produce and 'Dark Skies' away from sources of light pollution making it increasingly popular for winter holidays. The 116-page Discover guide also includes a series of short break itineraries and useful information on accommodation, hospitality, events and outdoor activity providers.

Members of the Sustainable Tourism Network will be focusing on helping Bowland’s rural economy recover from the pandemic by encouraging visitors to support small business by travelling light, staying longer and exploring more.

This year's guide celebrates a decade of peat restoration on the Bowland Fells plus 10 years of wildflower regeneration in the hay meadows that are such an iconic aspect of the National Landscape's small scale upland farms.

We've plotted six of the best walking routes on Pendle Hill and pulled together the ultimate Bowland itinerary packed with ideas to make the most of a long weekend or short break in the Forest of Bowland.

We investigate the legacy of Pendle's remarkable radical women and help ourselves to a large slice of Pendle Peat Pie before celebrating Bowland's food heroes: from artisan gin-makers to outstanding local cheese-makers and a food truck with a difference - parked up in one of the most picturesque locations imaginable.

The Discover Guide is the essential guide for everyone who wants to make the most of their time in Bowland, from locals who want to explore its further-flung reaches to day trippers and visitors who want to get beneath the surface of this unique rural oasis on the Lancashire-Yorkshire Border.

Printed in a durable perfect-bound pocket-friendly format, the guide will be widely available at tourist information centres, hospitality and accommodation providers and other outlets across the Forest of Bowland National Landscape.  The guide is available in digital format HERE. 

Or if you would prefer a hard copy posting, please email hetty.byrne@lancashire.gov.uk

The Guide is free, but donations are welcome to Champion Bowland – the charity which supports sustainable tourism, environment and community projects across the National Landscape.

Forest of Bowland National Landscape sustainable tourism officer Hetty Byrne said:

“2021 was another challenging year for the rural economy, but thanks to the resilience and innovation shown by rural businesses in the Forest of Bowland, thousands of new visitors discovered the Forest of Bowland for the first time last summer.

“This year, we will be focused on welcoming visitors back to perhaps stay a little longer, make a weekend or short break of it and really get beneath the surface of Bowland to discover its true nature.

“We hope the Discover Guide and Discover Bowland website will continue to increase awareness of Bowland’s outstanding natural beauty and inspire visitors to stay longer, explore more and – ideally – spend more money with local businesses.”

The 28-mile-long River Wyre gets a well-deserved focus this spring. The river's source is found high in the Bowland fells, where the Marshaw Wyre and the Tarnbrook Wyre are formed.  It then passes Dolphinholme, Scorton and Garstang before heading west; eventually taking a sharp north turn at Thornton, to complete its journey at Morecambe Bay. 

Find out all about the work of the Wyre Rivers Trust online on the 8th March, get stuck into some practical conservation work with them on the 27th and 29th, or why not try your hand at river sampling in Scorton on April 23rd?  There's also a chance to explore one of the Wyre's tributaries – the lovely River Brock – on an easy guided bird walk on April 17th with Wyre Coast & Countryside Service.

If you're a heritage (or rail!) enthusiast, don't miss the Bentham Line online talk on 23rd March, when the Leeds Morecambe Community Rail Partnership will be sharing the past and present of this very scenic "Little North Western" route.

And for something a little different, how about trying the drills, skills – and fun – of Nordic Walking? There's a beginners' session in Lancaster on 24th April – and if you get bitten by the bug, there'll be chance to practice your new-found hobby the following month.

Talking of new skills – don't miss the chance to try your hand at dry stone walling with the Wyre rangers on the 24th or 26th April. No experience needed, and you'll be helping to restore a traditional element of Bowland's landscape.

For family fun during the Easter holidays, Pendle Hill Landscape Partnership will be running their Free Family Nature Events on the 7th and 14th April.  Choose from minibeast madness or a spring landscape walk – or maybe even both! But you'll need to be quick once bookings open – these events are really popular!

From the winter constellation of Orion to the magical sight of a meteor shower and the fabulous sweep of the Milky Way, the skies above Bowland are filled with wonder – and look amazing when captured on camera.

Manager of Clitheroe Castle Museum, Claire Sutton, said, "We have a fantastic gallery space here at the museum and we're really excited to host this brand-new exhibition. Whether you're an experienced photographer or an enthusiastic amateur, we'd love to see your images of the Bowland night sky, and all shortlisted entries will be included."

Hetty Byrne, Sustainable Tourism Officer with the Forest of Bowland said, "We're so lucky to have such dark skies here in Bowland and it's great when people take the opportunity to get out and enjoy them. We hope this exhibition will help to show just how special Bowland is once the sun has set – and how important it is that we help to keep it that way."

Closing date for submission of entries is Sunday 20th March and further details, including terms and conditions, are available on the Forest of Bowland National Landscape website at https://www.forestofbowland.com/dark-skies-exhibition

The exhibition will run from early April until late May and admission to the gallery will be free.