Towns & Villages around Bowland

There are many villages and towns surrounding the Forest of Bowland AONB offering the perfect ‘gateway’ to explore the area, often with easier access to amenities and transport links.

• Clitheroe
• Longridge
• Lancaster
• Garstang
• Preston
• Settle
• Bentham

Clitheroe

The bustling market town of Clitheroe lies in between the Forest of Bowland AONB’s main upland block and the outlier of Pendle Hill. The town retains much of its old character and customs, and has a wide range of shops, many of which have been run by the same family for generations. A popular open-air market is held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The main street of the town is dominated by a massive rock of limestone crowned with the Keep of an ancient Castle, of uncertain age, but at least 800 years old. The Castle grounds contain formal gardens, tennis courts, bowling green and summerhouse cafeteria, and a large open-air auditorium with bandstand where concerts ranging from brass band to rock music can be heard in the summer. Here too can be found the Castle Museum, well worth a visit to enjoy the exhibitions of geology and local life. Children will be fascinated with the sights and sounds of the recreated cloggers workshop, printers shop and lead mine.

Longridge

The market town of Longridge commands a view of the whole of the Fylde Plain. From the top of Longridge Fell it is possible to see the Welsh Mountains, the Isle of Man, Ingleborough and the Loud Valley. Cromwell and his army passed this way on their way to the battle of Preston. Longridge is the shopping and social centre of the local farming district and has an interesting mixture of shops and antique galleries, which attract customers from all over the region. Set in glorious countryside this is understandably a popular starting point for country walks and cycle rides.

Lancaster

This city and port still retains much of its character and provides an excellent historic gateway by road or rail to the Forest of Bowland. It was originally the site of a Roman fortress and a crossing of the River Lune but it was only created a city by King George VI on 14th May 1937. Lancaster was the home of the House of Lancaster and John O’Gaunt’s statue dominates the City from over the castle gateway.

Dominated by its medieval castle and the River Lune that runs through the city, the narrow, Georgian streets surrounding the castle contain a wealth of attractions, shops and restaurants. The jewel in the crown in terms of attractions is Lancaster Castle. Guided tours are offered showing you around the fascinating courts and medieval dungeons.

The elegant Ashton Memorial dominates the skyline in Lancaster and the surrounding Williamson Park provides a beautiful area for picnicking and enjoying the views.

Other major attractions include Quayside Maritime Museum looking across the river Lune, and the Judges’ Lodgings.

Garstang

Garstang is situated on the River Wyre. The history of this market town goes back thousands of years with Neolithic and bronze Age artefacts found in the area but there is no actual record until the Domesday Book, when it was designated as Cherestanc. In the centre of Garstang is the Ancient Market Cross restored in 1897. The Old Town Hall and Market House superseded one, which as demolished in 1755 and following a fire in 1939 the building was restored retaining its original characteristics. At the northend of the High St. opposite the old council offices stands the Old Grammer School, which was founded in 1602.

One of Lancashire’s oldest traditional street markets first established in the 14th century is still going strong and is held every Thursday on the High Street.

Preston

Situated in the heart of the colourful county of Lancashire, Preston is the gateway to the surrounding beautiful landscape and historical sights. Preston is the largest and most important commercial centre in Lancashire and it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Preston’s history dates back to the Domesday Book and to 1179 with the granting of the Charter, which gave the right to hold a Guild Merchant every 20 years. The "Once in a Preston Guild" tradition continues to this day and we look forward to the next in 2012.

As England’s newest city plans have been agreed for a new multi-million pound redevelopment of the city centre to include major retail, leisure and cultural facilities, which will enhance the existing excellent retail offer and magnificent heritage buildings such as the Harris Museum & Art Gallery.

Settle

Settle is a bustling market town in the foothills of the Pennines amongst some of the most picturesque scenery in North Yorkshire. The town stands beside the largest outcrop of limestone in Britain - in a region of scars, cliffs, caves and potholes. At the rear of the town a zigzag footpath leads to the summit of Castleberg crag offering a vantage point of the town in its dale and fell. Settle is a good base for exploring the Forest of Bowland and the Yorkshire Dales.

Settle is at its most liveliest and colourful on Tuesdays, when the weekly market takes place, attracting traders from far and wide - non-stop variety without charge. Adequate car parking space is available in the town’s 3 car-parks situated within easy walking distance of the town centre. The market place is surrounded by local businesses - mostly family-owned, with some offering items for sale unique to the Settle area. The centre is dominated by the Shambles, a historic 3-storey building with shops on two levels and houses above, and the Town Hall, built on the site of the toll-booth which was pulled down in 1820.

Bentham

This unspoilt busy little market town stands in meadows and woodland on the banks of the River Wenning and has a traditional market every Wednesday. Often overlooked, it is only three miles from Ingleton, famous for its waterfalls and caves, and seven miles from the historic market town of Kirkby Lonsdale.

The Leeds-Morecambe railway line runs through the town and the Three Peaks of Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-ghent are nearby.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park lies to the north and the Forest of Bowland AONB stretches away to the south. Bentham is truly a delightful corner of the Yorkshire Dales and provides an ideal base for walking, pony trekking, cycling or touring holidays.

The Great Stone of Fourstones is just 2 miles south of High Bentham which offers breathtaking views of the Three Peaks.

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