THINGS TO DO
There are many activities which are appropriate to the area and some are more active than others!
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!
There is a good network of Public Rights of Way within the AONB, as well as large areas of Access Land where you can now experience open country. The annual Bowland Festival, plus the Pendle Walking Festival and Wyre’s Pathway events are good ways to begin exploring the landscape – whatever your ability. See our walking and cycling page
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. See our walking and cycling page
Horse riding is growing in popularity and although there are currently no trekking centres within the AONB, there are opportunities to ride your own horse along a network of greenways and bridleways.
Shopping - Mill shops abound, such as the now famous Boundary Mill and Barrowford is excellent for clothes and shoes. See our shopping page
Historic Market Towns such as Clitheroe and Skipton both have castles and traditional markets. Both with medieval Castles and museums to explore.
Canals - the Leeds & Liverpool Canal is an engineering feat of the 18th Century. Started in 1750 and open for its full 147.5 miles by 1810.
Art galleries and museums such as Towneley Hall (Burnley) and the Platform gallery (Clitheroe). Accrington also has the Howarth Gallery famous for its collection of Tiffany Glass.
9.The choice of eating establishments in Pendle is enormous, from the excellent traditional pubs which almost always serve home cooked food, to the wide range of restaurants, from Greek, Indian, Chinese, French and Italian. Most pubs allow children, some indeed cater particularly for children, and the menus cater accordingly.
Lancashire folk are renowned for their hospitality and wherever you decide to eat you will be warmly received. The area has several catering establishments which use only organic food, and there are one or two which specialise in vegetarian meals.
Lancashire also boasts several restaurants for the true gourmet, even one with Michelin stars, a far cry from the traditional image of Lancashire pie and peas, tasty though this is!
People visiting the area for the first time often comment on the excellent choice of eating places and the reasonable cost of dining out, compared to other areas of the country - we often tell them that Lancashire locals have very discerning tastes but still appreciate value for money, this is reflected in the variety available to our visitors.
Useful Links
Family cycling © Joy Grindrod
Forest of Bowland © D. Higham
Clitheroe Castle
