Walking
Walking is one of the nation’s favourite pastimes. It’s an ideal way to get to know the area and experience the sense of place. When you’re on foot, you are closer to nature and closer to the community. You can drink in the views, touch the fabric of the landscape and smell the fresh air!
Both cottages have access to various guide books and local maps. To plan your walks before your stay, visit: http://www.forestofbowland.com/walking_routes
Cycling
Cycling is also popular in the area – again you can get away from the busier areas and experience the peace and quiet of the landscape. For off-road enthusiasts there are opportunities to explore the Gisburn Forest area and cyclists are also permitted to use bridleways. Road cycling is also an attractive pursuit, especially on the officially designated ‘Quiet Lanes’ around Slaidburn, Chipping and Downham; and on the more challenging Tour of Pendle Race.
Lower Clougha Cottage provides secure storage for your bikes...or why not ask on arrival about local cycle hire!
Local food & drink
The Forest of Bowland AONB is gaining a reputation for fine food and local produce, so why not seek out some local producers and encourage your visitors to try our delicious local food and drink!
Look out for crumbly Lancashire and Beacon Fell Lancashire as well as other local cheeses made from ewes and goats milk; plus organic varieties.
Within the Forest of Bowland you will find:
· Delicious local lamb, beef and pork (and even wild boar!)
· Classic and modern varieties of Lancashire cheese, milk and ice cream
· An increasing number of local pubs and restaurants serving up delicious local food and drink.... We will be happy to point you in the right direction!
Wildlife
Bowland is in fact an internationally important area for conservation, as nearly one fifth of the AONB is designated as a Special Protection Area under the European Birds Directive. The Forest of Bowland also contains several Special Areas of Conservation and 13% is designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) under UK legislation. These designated sites represent nationally important areas for wildlife that are worthy of protection.
This valuable habitat is a big attraction for visitors to the area – many keen birdwatchers visit Bowland just to catch a glimpse of the hen harrier, our iconic bird of prey, which breeds in very few other places in the country. The male can be seen performing his spectacular ‘skydance’ in March and April. Birdwatchers also come to see the wading birds that arrive in Spring to nest and rear their young on the open farmland and moors of Bowland – for example, lapwing, snipe, curlew and redshank. Many landowners are using appropriate farming practices to actively attract these birds to their land.
The annual Bowland Festival is an ideal introduction to local wildlife, as are any of the guided walks run by the RSPB and the countryside services.