England is known for having an abundance of beautiful national parks, with some being a lot more popular than others. Despite there being many things to do in the Forest of Bowland, it’s quite often overlooked by tourists who prefer heading to the nearby Lake District or the Yorkshire Dales.
The Forest of Bowland is situated in Lancashire (and a tiny part of Yorkshire), and covers a large area of the Ribble Valley. It sits very close to Burnley and makes for a nice day trip from Blackpool too. Many people opt to go hiking in the Forest of Bowland because of its beautiful landscape and incredible views. For those of you who aren’t into outdoor adventures though, there are plenty of quaint villages in the Forest of Bowland to visit, as well as a few interesting historic attractions.
This area was given the title of the Royal Forest of Bowland in the medieval period, when the word forest actually referred to hunting rights. This would have prevented people from clearing and cultivating the land while enabling the king and his court to hunt wild game. You can find evidence of Roman and Norse habitation in the area as well. As you can imagine, there are some fantastic things to do in the Forest of Bowland. Keep reading to find out what interesting attractions you may come across.
Things to do in the Forest of Bowland
1. Go castle hunting in Clitheroe
One of the most popular villages near Preston to visit is also home to one of the many unique castles in Lancashire. The ancient market town of Clitheroe sits outside of the Forest of Bowland, and dates back to the Anglo-Saxon period. It’s a beautiful town to walk around, full of quaint shops, but its main feature is its 12th century castle.
Clitheroe Castle is the smallest Norman keep in England, and offers great views of the village from its outer walls. The hole in the side of the castle was actually put there on purpose in the 17th century, so that it wouldn’t be used against the crown. If you’re looking for a day trip from Manchester, Clitheroe is only an hour away by car, and it’s under 90 minutes from Liverpool too.
2. Walk around Slaidburn
While visiting Slaidburn may not be at the top of the list of things to do in the Forest of Bowland, it’s a charming historic village that’s worth stopping at for a brief look. The history of Slaidburn dates back to around the 14th century. However, there’s evidence to suggest that it was inhabited as early as the 10th century. The village itself has remained untouched since the 19th century. Its biggest attraction is St Andrews’s Church which largely dates back to the 15th century. Many tourists come to Slaidburn to join the walking trails that pass through it – one of the most popular things to do in the Forest of Bowland.
3. Explore the ruins of Whalley Abbey
Not too far from Clitheroe, nestled between the Forest of Bowland and Pendle hill, is Whalley Abbey. This 13th century ruin was once home to Cistercian monks. They were granted permission by the Pope to move away from Stanlow Abbey because of the relentless flooding they endured there. In the early 16th century, King Henry VIII oversaw the destruction of many monastic buildings across the country, including Whalley Abbey. Some of the stones from the abbey were later used to construct other local buildings.
Whalley Abbey is completely free to enter, and is a fantastic historical attraction in the Ribble Valley to visit. The gardens are very well maintained, and the ruins of the abbey cover quite a large area. From the abbey, it’s a very short walk into the village, but if you’re really desperate for something to eat or drink there’s a small cafe at the abbey.
4. Hike or drive through the Beacon Fell
One of the best things to do in the Forest of Bowland is to visit the Beacon Fell. It’s one of the oldest country parks in England, and is a haven for walkers and hikers. If you’re not into hiking, there are2 roads that pass through part of the Beacon Fell, so you can still enjoy the views. This is also where you’ll find the Bowland Visitor Centre in case you need help with the trails or want to learn more about the wildlife in the area. We passed through Beacon Fell on the way to our hotel and it was stunning.
5. Visit Chipping
If you’re looking for things to do in the Forest of Bowland besides hiking, a visit to Chipping is a must. This picturesque village is located next to the River Loud and gets its name from the Old English word meaning market. Chipping was mentioned in the 11th century Domesday Book, making the village at least 1000 years old.
There are some great historic attractions to see in Chipping despite its small size, such as the 15th century St Bartholomew’s Church and Brabin’s Shop & Tea Room, which is the oldest continuously running shop in all of the UK. In my opinion, this is one of the best villages in Lancashire to visit if you’re looking for hidden gems.
6. Step back in time at Browsholme Hall
One of the best things to do in the Forest of Bowland has to be visiting Browsholme Hall. It’s located very close to Chipping and the gorgeous luxury hotel we stayed at – Gibbon Bridge Hotel. This Grade I historic Tudor house was built in 1507, and has been lived in by the Parker family ever since. The hall and gardens are open to visitors but since the house is still lived in it doesn’t look like your usual museum.
At the entrance to the complex you’ll also find a unique glamping site as well as a cafe. In terms of things to do in the Forest of Bowland, Browsholme Hall makes for a great half-day trip, especially if the weather is nice.
7. Stop at Sawley Abbey
Sawley Abbey is another monastic building that felt the wrath of King Henry VIII. It dates back to the 12th century, and was inhabited by Cistercian monks. After it was dissolved in the 16th century, it was completely plundered of all of its valuables, and the stones that made up the abbey were used for cottages and farms in the area. These ruins are free to walk around, and although not as extensive as Whalley Abbey, are still worth stopping at if you have the time.
8. Visit the centre of Great Britain at Dunsop Bridge
If you ever find yourself running out of things to do in the Forest of Bowland, I would recommend a quick drive to Dunsop Bridge. This is probably the smallest village you’ll come across in the Ribble Valley, and there isn’t much to do here in terms of attractions (it’s a great area for walking though). However, it just so happens that Dunsop Bridge is the very centre of Great Britain! It also sits at the entrance to the Trough of Bowland, which is a very popular section of the national park that offers amazing views of the landscape.
9. Check out Stonyhurst College
Stonyhurst College is perhaps one of the best known private Catholic schools in the country. As a school, Stonyhurst dates back to 1593, but some parts of the building date as far back as the 13th century. It’s a beautiful structure to look at, but since it’s a school you’re unable to access it during the teaching months.
A big claim to fame that Stonyhurst has is its connection to J.R.R. Tolkien. The Lord of the Rings author visited his son quite frequently at the school and his love of the Ribble Valley and its landscape inspired him to write the follow up to The Hobbit. If you’re looking for unique things to do in the Forest of Bowland, and like to be outside, you can hike along the Tolkien Trail which explores the parts of the Ribble Valley that inspired him in his writings.
10. Stroll through Downham
Considered to be one of the prettiest villages in Lancashire, Downham lies at the foot of Pendle Hill, not too far from Clitheroe. It’s a very popular area for walkers, and its main historic attraction, St Leonard’s Church, has a tower that dates to the 15th century, with the rest of the building dating to the 19th century. If you make your way up the hill to the church, you’ll get an amazing view of the lush landscape in the distance.
The Assheton Arms is the village’s acclaimed gastro pub, and sits opposite the church, so if you’re looking for food while you’re in Downham this is a great option. Visiting Downham is one of the best things to do in the Forest of Bowland at any time of the year.
11. Follow the trail of the Pendle Witches
For those of you not familiar with the Pendle Witches, in 1612 a group of 12 people (men and women) were put on trial for the murder of 10 locals using witchcraft. They were all from the area surrounding Pendle Hill and most of them were tried and executed in Lancaster, in what’s known as the Lancashire Witch Trials.
It’s one of the most famous witch trials in English history, and you can follow the 45 mile trail from Barrowford to Lancaster, crossing the Forest of Bowland, either by car or bike. The trail is the route the witches were taken to Lancaster on, and it passes by some beautiful scenery along the way. There are plenty of villages near Pendle Hill to explore as well.
Where to stay in the Forest of Bowland
Gibbon Bridge Hotel
If you’re planning on staying overnight, or for a few days, in the Forest of Bowland, you’d be hard pressed to find somewhere nicer to stay at than Gibbon Bridge Hotel, which is only a few minutes drive from Chipping. The hotel is ideally located to explore the area from, so you can easily cross a few things to do in the Forest of Bowland off your list by staying here.
Gibbon Bridge Hotel originally opened as a bar and restaurant, with 6 bedrooms available, and eventually expanded to 30 rooms. The hotel’s owner, Janet, is always adding to the hotel and loves to incorporate reclaimed pieces of architecture and statues into it. It’s now one of the most popular places to stay in the Forest of Bowland, and is a fantastic venue for weddings, family get-togethers, and anything else you can think. It’s also a dog-friendly hotel, so you can bring your furry friend with you. We spent 3 nights at Gibbon Bridge Hotel and had an amazing stay.
During our visit to Gibbon Bridge Hotel, we stayed in one of their twin/double bedrooms. It was a very spacious room, with a comfortable sitting area and an incredible view of the hotel’s garden from the window. The bathroom was spotless, with luxury toiletries and a whirlpool bath – ideal for relaxing after a day of exploring the area. We were also treated to some homemade biscuits which are made in the hotel’s bakery.
For anyone visiting the hotel with a disability, they also have two fully accessible ground floor rooms with their own parking spaces. Other accommodation options include their luxurious split-level suites, the VIP suite, and the Staple Oak Suite which have all be recently upgraded. The prices for their rooms always include a buffet breakfast too.
Gibbon Bridge Hotel is also home to an amazing restaurant, which uses produce from its own gardens as well as from locally sourced suppliers. And since they have their own bakery on-site, all of their bread and desserts are made here too. They offer lunch and dinner, and you can also book in for afternoon tea.
They have vegetarian options available and their large windows provide you with a stunning view of the garden as you dine. If the weather is nice you can also enjoy your food as you bask in the sunshine.
The restaurant at Gibbon Bridge Hotel is also where you’ll be able to enjoy a large buffet breakfast. They offer a great mixture of continental and hot food, all sourced locally, of course. I would recommend grabbing a window seat if there are any available because you can never get enough of the stunning views they offer.
Gibbon Bridge Hotel is not only a beautiful hotel in the Forest of Bowland to stay at, but it also offers a number of other facilities. The garden at the back of the hotel is beautiful to walk around, and you can sit out on the terrace with a drink from the bar. The garden is also where you’ll find the bandstand, which is a very popular wedding venue in the Ribble Valley.
Just around the corner from the main garden are several al fresco dining facilities that can host both small groups and larger events. All of the outdoor dining spaces are covered and heated in case the weather isn’t ideal, and each one is unique within itself. For outdoor catering events, there’s a barbecue area complete with a pizza oven and an outdoor kitchen. So, whether you’re planning on staying at the hotel or not, you can still have a great time in their al fresco spaces.
>> Click here for the most up to date prices at Gibbon Bridge Hotel <<
Unique places to visit in Lancashire don’t come much better than the Forest of Bowland and the Ribble Valley. With its beautiful blend of quaint villages, rolling hills, and of course historic attractions, it’s the perfect destination for people wanting to get away for a few days. With so many interesting things to do in the Forest of Bowland, and so many interesting places to visit too, you’ll find yourself wondering why you’ve never been before.
Do you have any recommendations on where else to visit in the Ribble Valley or things to do in the Forest of Bowland? I would love to hear from you in the comments section below. And if you have any questions about hotels in the Forest of Bowland, or things to do in the Ribble Valley – please get in touch. Don’t forget to follow my travels on Instagram too!
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