Dalesbridge Bunkhouses

Forest of Bowland

by MartinSelway

The Forest of bowland is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It makes for a great Sunday drive out of Lancaster, perhaps to explore some of the villages, go for a pub lunch or a country walk.

The Forest of Bowland and Pendle Hill were designated as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in February 1964. The Pendle Hill section is geographically detached from the Forest of Bowland section but the two together share the title Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Forest of Bowland is the eleventh largest of the 40 designated AONB's in England and Wales, situated mainly in the county of Lancashire, part of the area does extend into North Yorkshire. The area is essentially upland country consisting of a plateau of rolling hills and moors which are dissected by deep valleys. In the north, Bowland consists of a block of gritstone moors extending from about 183M to 550M above sea level. In the south of the area the fells are more detached.

lancaster

by ayers_rock_where

"lancaster castle"

Welcome to Lancaster Castle, often known as John O’ Gaunt’s Castle, which is one of the most historically interesting buildings in Lancashire.

Its beginnings date back to Roman times and from its commanding position on the hill overlooking the town of Lancaster and the River Lune, it stood as a bastion against the marauding forces of Picts and Scots.

Following the departure of the Romans in the 5th Century, it fell into disrepair and although in the 6th Century the Saxons made new fortifications on the site, no mention is made in the Domesday Book which suggests that it lay in ruins. After the Norman Conquest, however, Lancaster and the surrounding districts were given by William The Conqueror to Roger of Poitou in gratitude for his services in battle, and it was about this time that the Norman Keep, the heart of the original fortifications, was built.

Unfortunately, the Keep is part of the Castle which cannot be visited as it forms part of HM Prison Lancaster Castle.