National park · United Kingdom
Forest of BowlandForest of Bowland AONB
Visit the Forest of Bowland for a day hike: drive to Beacon Fell, walk the 4 km (2.5 mi) Beacon Fell loop (free) in under 2 h, or tackle the 7 km (4.3 mi) Ward's Stone ridge (hard) in spring‑summer; avoid heavy rain in winter.Visit the Forest of Bowland for a day hike: drive to Beacon Fell, walk the 2.5 mi (4 km) Beacon Fell loop (free) in under 2 h, or tackle the 4.3 mi (7 km) Ward's Stone ridge (hard) in spring‑summer; avoid heavy rain in winter.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
312 km² (120 sq mi)120 sq mi (312 km²)
approximate
Established
2004
Best months
May–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
- Lancashire ↗Contactless cards work on buses and trains across the county; no need for a separate travel card.
At a glance
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Area
- 312 km² (120 sq mi)120 sq mi (312 km²)
- Area covers about 312 km² of moorland and gritstone fells (official AONB designation).
- Established
- 2004
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Permits
- Not needed
The Forest of Bowland is an upland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Lancashire and North Yorkshire, known for its heather‑covered moors, gritstone fells and a network of walking and cycling routes.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteDesignated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Size and age
312 km² (120 sq mi)120 sq mi (312 km²) · national park since 2004
Area covers about 312 km² of moorland and gritstone fells (official AONB designation).
Why go
- Open moorland and gritstone fells with extensive walking routes.
- Rare upland birds such as hen harrier and red grouse.
- Dark‑sky sites for Milky Way viewing.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanCold, wet; paths may be soggy.
- FebCold, occasional snow.
- MarEarly spring, variable weather.
- AprMild, blossoms, longer daylight.
- MayDry, warm, birds active.
- JunWarm, good walking conditions.
- JulWarm, long days; occasional showers.
- AugWarm, generally dry.
- SepMild, fewer crowds.
- OctCool, leaf‑fall colours.
- NovShort days, rain.
- DecCold, limited daylight.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hen HarrierMay–Aug · Protected; watch from designated viewpoints. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Red GrouseApr–Sep · Common on heather moor. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Peregrine FalconAll year · Nests on cliff edges. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Beacon Fell Country Park | Visitor centre, car park, 4 km (2.5 mi) loop trail, dark‑sky site.Visitor centre, car park, 2.5 mi (4 km) loop trail, dark‑sky site. | Free, open year‑round. |
| Ward's Stone area | Highest point (557 m), steep ridge walks. | Open, no fee. |
| Gisburn Forest Cycleway | Designated 5 km (3.1 mi) cycle route.Designated 3.1 mi (5 km) cycle route. | Open, free. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate centre of the AONB.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Free; no gate fee. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
None no permit
Park rules
- Dogs
- Must be kept on a leash in all open access areas.
- Camping
- Only allowed at designated campsites; wild camping prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires banned; use provided BBQ facilities where available.
- Litter
- Pack out all waste; bins are limited.
- Drones
- Not permitted without landowner permission.
Where to stay
Near the park
Dale House Barn Hostel
Dormitory‑style accommodation in a converted barn, close to Tosside.
Near the park
The Inn at Whitewell
Traditional inn with 23 rooms, open fireplaces.
Near the park
Camping sites (e.g., Dalesbridge, Orcaber Farm)
Pitch a tent or park a caravan; basic facilities.
Safety
Sudden weather change medium
Navigation on ridge walks high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Beacon Fell loop is mostly level and suitable for strollers.
- Ward's Stone ridge is steep and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked paths to protect peat bogs.
- Use the free visitor centre for information on wildlife protection.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Forest of Bowland?
There is no entry fee; access is free for walkers and cyclists.
What are the best hikes in Forest of Bowland?
Beacon Fell loop (easy, 4 km) and Ward's Stone ridge walk (hard, 7 km) are popular; both are free.
When is the best time to visit Forest of Bowland?
Late spring to early autumn (May–September) offers dry weather and active birdlife.
Can I camp anywhere in the Forest of Bowland?
Camping is only allowed at designated sites; wild camping is prohibited.
Are dogs allowed on the trails?
Yes, but they must be kept on a leash at all times.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go