Things to do in Bowland and Ribble Valley

Legend has it that J.R.R. Tolkien, who wrote The Lord of the Rings, modelled Middle Earth on the Forest of Bowland. Judge for yourself on the self-guided Tolkien Trail, a 7-mile (11 km) jaunt through wildflower meadows, enchanting woodlands and panoramic Ribble Valley views. A glorious way to begin your Forest of Bowland adventure, so don’t forget your walking boots! Afterwards, pop into nearby Longridge for dinner supplies for tonight.

You’ve earned a slap-up lunch at Bowland Food Hall in Clitheroe, a one-stop-shop for locally produced Ribble Valley delicacies. Think deep-fill sandwiches on home-baked sourdough, hefty sausage rolls and squidgy chocolate brownies. Post-lunch, head to Bowland Brewery to taste and buy its small-batch beers; it also runs brewery tours on selected dates.

For a more fine-dining experience, book a table at The Inn At Whitewell – a 16th-century rural coaching inn beside the River Hodder. It is renowned for its local, true-to-season cuisine: the menu changes depending on the time of year, but expect the likes of treacle-cured salmon, sausages with creamy champ (onion mash) and slow-roasted lamb from a nearby estate.

To snooze in a Forest of Bowland hotel with a twist, look to the Woodland Glade glamping pods at Browsholme Hall Estate. Each one features a double bed, en-suite shower room, handy kitchenette and underfloor heating – so you’ll stay cosy whatever the weather. We recommend staying here for two nights, eating in tonight and dining out tomorrow.

Renowned for its dark skies, the Forest of Bowland is a superb stargazing spot – and you don’t have to venture far tonight to enjoy stellar views, as long as the weather behaves. Each of the Woodland Glade glamping pods features a private fire pit, so get toasting those marshmallows beneath a sky full of stars... No screens allowed, unless you’re checking the constellations on a stargazing app!

From easy jaunts to white-knuckle downhills, Gisburn Forest has a mountain biking trail for every ability – and an on-site cycle hire centre so you don’t need to bring your own wheels. It specialises in e-bikes, giving you more power in your ascents and more control on your descents, and saving your energy (and legs!) for the rest of today’s adventures.

On the drive to your next stop, call in at the tiny Ribble Valley village of Slaidburn. Its Heritage Centre is a fount of knowledge about local walks and history, while its Riverbank Tearooms bakes all of its cakes, scones and tarts by hand. Whether for a summertime iced coffee or an autumnal pumpkin-spiced latte, this is a lovely spot to refuel.

Every afternoon, the furry residents of Wood End Alpacas go for a 2-hour walk through the countryside – and you’re invited. After getting to know your new besties, you’ll all set off for a leisurely stroll across the fields, before heading back to the farm for feeding time. They love cuddles, and don’t miss the cute kunekune pigs too! For those with limited mobility, the farm also has a free all-terrain Tramper.

One of England’s most scenic driving routes, the Trough of Bowland is well worth a few minutes’ detour before heading back to your glamping pod to freshen up before dinner. Pristine countryside unfurls on both sides of the road, a patchwork of fields, forests and waterways – with plenty of places to stop for photos and walks.

Tonight, taste an award-winning pie at the Parkers Arms – as featured in The Hairy Bikers Go North! Its chefs are so committed to locally sourced ingredients that its menu changes up to twice daily, and there’s always a vegan and vegetarian option too. Dishes are served in its garden or beside the open fire, and advance booking is highly recommended.

Keep an eye out for rabbits, roe deer and weasels this morning, on a wildlife-filled stroll around Beacon Fell Country Park. Maybe you’ll pack breakfast to enjoy on a forest picnic, or climb the Beacon Fell summit for views of the Forest of Bowland and Morecambe Bay? To discover its various trails through woodlands and moorlands, head to the visitor centre. 

Whether stuffed in sandwich, piled high on a cracker or simply nibbled straight from the deli, Mrs Kirkham's Lancashire Cheese is a pit-stop you won’t want to miss. This third-generation cheesemaker has a farm shop on the edge of the Forest of Bowland, filled not only with its own award-winning produce, but local bread, pies, sausage rolls and charcuterie too. Pack a picnic for your next stop, along with a few foodie souvenirs to take home.

Roll up your trousers for a quick dip at Brock Bottom, where the waters of Winsnape Brook wind through a wild woodland – a favourite local spot for picnics and paddling. In spring, look out for the bluebells and daffodils, while autumn transforms the treetops into a blaze of ochre and crimson. There are plenty of picnic tables here, and beautiful waterside walking trails.

Coconut ripple or Eton mess? White chocolate or lemon and amaretto? At Rosy Goat Ice Cream, these are the kinds of tough decisions you’ll need to make – unless you opt for a scoop of each, that is. From milking the goats to churning the ice cream, it all takes place on the farm – and the benefits of goat milk mean it’s easier to digest than regular ice cream, as well as being higher in essential fatty acids. Another reason to order a second scoop!

Using foraged botanicals and a bespoke copper pot called Bea, the team at Goosnargh Gin have created an award-winning range of small-batch gins – which featured on The Hairy Bikers Go North. Toast the end of your Forest of Bowland adventure in its distillery shop, or learn the fine art of gin-making in a private one-hour workshop. Drivers, you can choose your perfect botanicals and receive a kit to make “bathtub” gin at home. Cheers to that!