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Lapwing © David Patrick

Tracks to Trails: Discover Bowland by Bus, Bike & Train

5th May 2026

As summer approaches, now is the perfect time to plan a local adventure. The Forest of Bowland National Landscape team, in partnership with Community Rail Lancashire, recently launched two Eco Escapes itineraries — thoughtfully curated to showcase Bowland’s spectacular landscapes, rich heritage and welcoming hospitality, while championing low‑impact travel.

Clitheroe Train Station by Mark TattersallThese new routes encourage visitors to leave the car behind and explore Bowland by public transport, with walking and cycling trails that link to bus and rail services.

With downloadable guides, transport information, and recommendations for places to stay and eat, Eco Escapes makes it easy to enjoy Bowland at your own pace — and sustainably.

Itinerary highlights include:

  • Chipping Circular Walk – Discover the historic mill village and its beautiful surrounding countryside.
  • Little Bowland Linear Walk – A 4‑mile walk from Chipping to Whitewell, featuring limestone outcrops, ancient woodland and river crossings.
  • Spring Wood Walk – A gentle woodland stroll near Whalley.
  • Pendle Hill Summit Routes – Challenging hikes from Whalley or Clitheroe, rewarded with breathtaking views.
  • Accessible Trail – A Tramper – all terrain wheelchair - is available in Sabden, offering access to Churn Clough Reservoir.
  • Ribble Valley Jubilee Trail – A three‑day walking adventure through picturesque countryside.

Richard Watts, Chair of Community Rail Lancashire, said:

Dunsop Bridge Family by the River by Mark Tattersall

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with the Forest of Bowland National Landscape on the Eco Escapes itineraries, based from Clitheroe and Whalley stations along the Clitheroe Line. This project promotes sustainable travel and encourages more people to discover this beautiful area by train, bus, bike and on foot.”

Hetty Byrne, Sustainable Tourism Officer for the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, added:

“Eco Escapes is all about making it easier for people to get out and enjoy Bowland in a way that’s both rewarding and kind to the environment. Whether you’re hopping on a bus, catching a train, or setting off on foot or by bike, it’s a fantastic way to explore without the car and to connect more deeply with the landscape, wildlife and local businesses.”

New and improved bus connections — including Route 11 — make exploring the Hodder Valley easier than ever, linking circular and linear walks through places such as Slaidburn, Dunsop Bridge, Whitewell, Wigglesworth, Hurst Green and Chipping.

Funded by the Community Rail Network and the DfT Community Rail Development Fund, the itineraries feature fully mapped walking and cycling routes, accessible by public transport. They are available to download as PDFs or to follow via GPS apps on your smartphone.

Explore these itineraries — plus 12 more — and download your routes at:
www.ecoescapes.org.uk or pick up a copy of the new Ramble & Ride in Bowland leaflet from Visitor Information Centres across the area.

On the Wing and Under the Water

20th April 2026

Join us as we shine a spotlight on two of Bowland's Champion Species  - the Green Hairstreak butterfly and the brown trout.
(And be in with the chance of taking home a special Champion Species goodie bag!)

Green Hairstreak Butterfly by David Oyston

Bowland Champion Species: Spring Butterfly Walk

Wednesday 6th May, 11.30am – 2pm, Trough of Bowland

Seek out the beautiful Green Hairstreak butterfly and amazing, day-flying Emperor moth along an iconic Bowland valley, on one of our special Bowland Champion Species events.

The emerald colouring of this tiny butterfly makes the Green Hairstreak an absolute jewel. By comparison, it's dwarfed in size by the Emperor moth (with its striking "eyespots"), which is one of the UK's largest insects. Sharpness of eye, the cunning deployment of a pheromone lure and expert guidance from Butterfly Conservation will all play their part in helping us search for, and learn about, these classic moorland species.

Green Hairstreak supporter badge

(The walk is approximately 3 miles long and terrain will be uneven in places, with some moderate slopes Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.)

(The Green Hairstreak butterfly is also one of six target species in Butterfly Conservation's Making Peatlands Work for Lepidoptera programme, which spans the north of England. More information is available on their website here.

£5 per person. Booking essential. Please book via this link: LCC Events

Bowland Champion Species: The Secret World of Rivers

Brown Trout supporter badge

Wednesday 27th May, 10am – 12 noon or 1pm – 3pm, Claughton-on-Brock

Underneath the surface of the water is a secret world of wildlife waiting for you to explore.

Join Wyre Rivers Trust staff as they lead us on an adventure of discovery. Perfect for families and suitable for ages 5+. (Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.)

Free, but booking is essential.

For more information, and to book your place, please email events@wyreriverstrust.org

Green Hairstreak butterfly and brown trout are two of the Champion Species at the heart of the Forest of Bowland National Landscape's Nature Recovery Plan.  To find out more, visit Champion Species Badges | Forest of Bowland National Landscape

For the full Festival Bowland programme, including more, great Bowland Champion Species events, visit Festival Bowland Events | Forest of Bowland National Landscape

Discover Bowland 2026: Your Guide to Exploring This Inspiring Landscape

27th February 2026

The Forest of Bowland National Landscape team is delighted to announce the launch of the Discover Bowland 2026 guide. 

Discover Bowland Guide Cover

Whether you’re a local uncovering new paths or a visitor experiencing Bowland’s magic for the first time, the guide is packed with ideas to help you make the most of your time here.

The guide was officially unveiled on 26 February at Holden Clough Nurseries, where forty members of the Bowland Sustainable Tourism Business Network gathered to celebrate. Many of these partners support the guide through advertising, helping to fund its production and ensuring it remains free to the public.

Hetty Byrne, 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 this publication, we aim to inspire visitors to connect with nature, linger longer, travel more sustainably and support local businesses.”

Gathering of the Bowland Sustainable Tourism Network at Holden Clough Nurseries

She added:

“It’s been a busy and inspiring year for the team, with a host of exciting projects delivered across the area. From peatland restoration and inclusive access improvements to nature connection activities and support for farmers and landowners through the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, 2025 has offered plenty to celebrate.”

This year’s guide features brand‑new Eco Escapes itineraries, encouraging people to explore the area slowly and sustainably. Linked to the Clitheroe train line, these routes promote car‑free travel and invite readers to discover Bowland’s hidden corners, seasonal beauty, delicious local food and outstanding places to stay.

The ‘At a Glance’ Festival Bowland listings are featured once again, and this year’s programme puts 14 amazing Champion Species centre stage as well as offering a year‑round programme of events celebrating nature, heritage and culture. From star‑filled skies to vibrant spring wildlife and hands‑on activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

The Discover Bowland guide is available from Visitor Information Centres and will soon be stocked by hospitality businesses across the Forest of Bowland National Landscape. A digital edition is also available.

Both the free printed guide and the companion Discover Bowland website are packed with practical information, local stories and inspiration to help you explore and enjoy this beautiful area.

The guide is free, but donations to Champion Bowland—the charity supporting sustainable tourism, environmental projects and community initiatives across the area—are warmly welcomed.

Festival Bowland 2026 is here!

25th February 2026

Festival Bowland celebrates the nature, landscape, culture and heritage of the Forest of Bowland National Landscape and this year's programme is full of fantastic opportunities to get involved.

Ballerina WaxcapThe 2026 calendar offers the chance to discover some truly "champion" species, enjoy night sky wonders and make the most of Bowland's more accessible walking routes, alongside regular favourites like Garstang Walking Festival and National Meadows Day.

Sandra Silk, Project Officer with the National Landscape Partnership, said, "We're very excited to shine a spotlight on Bowland's Champion Species this year. These are the fourteen rare, inspirational or representative species at the heart of the Forest of Bowland's Nature Recovery Plan. Whether it's ballerina waxcap, hen harrier, globeflower or green hairstreak butterfly, we're hoping that this series of creative sessions, hands-on study days, family events, and more, will reveal the champions in all their glory."

The Festival programme also includes a series of brand new Welcoming Walks, exploring stile-free routes around the Forest of Bowland. Weekly walks in April, and again in July, will offer short, seasonal walks, with the chance to chat over a cuppa afterwards as an optional extra.

Sandra explained, "Booking ahead for events doesn't work for everyone, so we've taken inspiration from the weekly walks organised by Wyre Coast and Countryside Service and similar opportunities in Arnside and Silverdale National Landscape, and made these new Welcoming Walks "just turn up". This means that people can see how they feel on the day. Each walk will last around an hour, with the emphasis on a friendly atmosphere and fresh air, rather than distance. We'll be starting at different locations each time, but all meeting points will have parking and toilet facilities and some will be accessible by public transport."

Aurora - image by Graham McLoughlin

Bowland dark skies events will be taking place a little later this year, to coincide with International Dark Sky Week, which runs from the 13th to the 20th of April. With the chance to explore the University of Lancashire's Alston Observatory (and discover the chemical origins of the human body!) hear all about the life of the "whispering" bat, or experience an early evening forest bathe, these spring events are a great opportunity to explore the atmospheric world of the National Landscape once the sun has dipped.

Evening bat walks, botanical and bumblebee identification skills and river life explorations all add to the opportunities available to discover Bowland's wilder side. And, for anyone wanting to roll their sleeves up and get stuck in, regular tree planting sessions throughout March, November and December are a great way to make a difference to this very special place.

Full details of the 2026 Festival Bowland events programme are available on our website at Festival Bowland Events | Forest of Bowland National Landscape

Management Plan Consultation

19th January 2026

Consultation Opens on Draft 2026–2031 Forest of Bowland National Landscape Management PlanManagement Plan Achievements 2019-2026

In spring 2026, the Forest of Bowland National Landscape will unveil its new five-year Management Plan—a bold and refreshed vision to protect, enhance and celebrate this extraordinary place for generations to come.

Formerly designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the Forest of Bowland now forms part of the National Landscapes family—a name that better reflects the significance of these protected landscapes.

The draft 2026–2031 Management Plan has been developed with input from a wide range of partners via workshops and meetings over the last six months. This plan sets out what makes the Forest of Bowland so special, the challenges it faces, and the actions needed to conserve, enhance and celebrate its components of natural beauty and special qualities.

The Management Plan aims to:

  • Celebrate the unique character and special qualities of the Forest of Bowland.
  • Present a shared vision for its future, shaped by those who live in, work in and care for the landscape.
  • Set out clear outcomes and measures to guide decision-making and action.
  • Reflect the aspirations of a wide range of stakeholders, from local communities, farmers and landowners to local authorities and conservation organisations.

Tony Lund, Partnership Manager for the Forest of Bowland, said:
“A management plan is vital for a National Landscape. It provides the statutory framework to define a shared vision, coordinate action with partners and set clear outcomes for conservation, climate resilience, community needs, health and wellbeing, and opportunities for people to explore and understand this special place. This plan is our primary strategy to protect and enhance the Forest of Bowland’s special qualities while tackling major challenges like biodiversity loss and climate change.”

John Ibison, Borough Councillor and Chair of the Joint Advisory Committee, added:
“The Forest of Bowland is a living, working landscape. This consultation is an opportunity for everyone with an interest in its future to have their say. Your input will help shape a plan that reflects local aspirations and safeguards this special place for generations to come.”

Have Your Say

This is not the finalised plan, and we are now seeking views from people who live, work and visit the Forest of Bowland National Landscape. The public consultation period runs from 19 January to 2 March 2026.

For more information and to take part in the consultation, visit:
www.forestofbowland.com/management-plan-2026

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