Beacon Fell Country Park in the beautiful Forest of Bowland area of Lancashire is not that far from where I live, yet it is somewhere we rarely visit. I think that will change this year, now that we have discovered what a fab afternoon out, this popular Country Park is. After picking up my niece and nephew and demoting Mr Hugo to the boot, we set off from Clitheroe to the village of Chipping and beyond, passing Bowland Forest Gliding Club and Blacksticks Lane ~ which immediately made me think of the Lancashire cheese. π
The park has several car parks, the main one having a cafe and visitor centre and a small parking charge. After piling out of the car, we set off to explore. There are several sculptures dotted round Beacon Fell. In hindsight we should have bought a 20p map from the visitor centre, as is the usual case with sculpture trails, we failed to spot them all.
Beacon Fell Country Park is a mixture of heather moorland at the summit and spruce woodland ,so is a rich haven for wildlife. There are numerous walking trails and the blue Fellside trail may also be used by mountain bikers and horse riders. The weekend we visited was very busy with families and dog walkers, so we failed to spy the area’s native roe deer. I imagine at quieter times, there is probably lots more to see. I settled for a photo of a camera shy kestrel. π
The views from Beacon Fell’s Summit ( 266m high) are lovely all around. From the Bowland Fells you can glimpse the Lancashire coastline and on a bright day, the skies are generously big.
On our future return we will be sure to look out for a heron, a walking snake , a living willow deer and a black tiger. We did at least spot a dragonfly, he isn’t on the map! There is also a tarn to discover, which apparently buzzes with real dragonflies….
After a couple of hours of climbing trees, wildlife spotting and throwing sticks for Hugo ( his ball on a rope ended up tangled round a tree branch as usual π€£) ,we had a drink at the cafe and a quick look in the visitor centre. We all agreed a return trip is a must!
sunshine and celandines 
I gave up going to that area several years ago – too many emotional memories – but maybe I should think about revisiting sometime. It’s always been my intention to go to the Wild Boar Park but I’ve not got there yet π¦
I have been to the Wild Boar Park once about ten years ago, I would love to return. X
When I was a postman I had a walker friend (meaning he liked to walk, not that he was a zombie) who said that the Forest of Bowland was his favourite place on Earth. I guess he’d eventually end up there even if he was, you know, a zombie.
I will look out for a local Zombie Outbreak. π
Sounds a fun day out! Love the sculptures x
I do love sculpture trails. πx
I rather think that was the lesser spotted tree creeper!
Could be. ππ
Is that face modelled on somebody?
Apparently on a clear day it was possible to see The Great Orme in Llandudno through the eye of the sculpture. The eye has now been filled in now though.
I wonder why….
Im not sure. Shame though. X
Sounds great, I must remember this place for next time I’m up that way!
Yes its a nice place for a wAnder. X
I love the sculptures. Looks like a great place to explore!
It was great fun. X
Not been up there for donkeyβs years! Visit overdue, I think π€
ππ