Alongside its outstanding natural heritage, the Forest of Bowland boasts a rich cultural landscape. Although human presence in the area stretches back over thousands of years, the development of the medieval hunting forests and subsequent deer parks have had some of the most obvious influence. This legacy is manifest in the relatively unchanged rural nature of the area, its grand halls and parkland, distinctive stone-built settlements and lack of main roads.
Within the National Landscape there are 20 Scheduled Monuments, ranging from prehistoric enclosures and bowl barrows to lime kilns and bridges, over 800 Listed Buildings (13 Grade 1 and 37 Grade 2*) and two Registered Parks and Gardens. 22 Conservation Areas intersect with the Protected Landscape boundary. There are currently 4 Heritage at Risk sites in the Forest of Bowland
Residents and visitors alike are keen to explore the area's heritage. Local history groups are active in researching and recording Bowland's history, whilst both local and county archives hold a wealth of manuscripts, artefacts and images, providing an invaluable source of information and inspiration. The Forest of Bowland landscape continues to provide a tangible link with past lives and stories.
