The Forest of Bowland

The Forest of Bowland is one of the most undiscovered wild places in England, and was a firm favourite with the late Queen Elizabeth. The north-western remainder of the ancient wilderness which once stretched over a huge part of the country, today it covers from Lancaster to Settle to Clitheroe, and was first designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1964 (now known as National Landscapes).

It has adapted its purpose and appearance since its days as the woodland hunting grounds of the Kings of England, but it still contains some of Britain's most spectacular views, wildest crags and moorlands, sharply contrasted with its idyllic small villages, rural farmlands and hamlets.

The stunning new images taken by professional photographer Helen Shaw reveal many of the secret places in today’s Forest of Bowland and this book, in words and pictures, will inspire many to visit this relatively unfrequented area: walkers, cyclists, birdwatchers, historians and nature-lovers.

Availability:

Illustrations:
165 Colour photographs, 1 Maps

Pages:
192

Published:
Apr 10, 2025

ISBN:
9781913159849

About the Author:

Helen Shaw has long held a special affection for the Forest of Bowland, and she lived just outside Slaidburn for many years before moving to a remote hillside near Garrigill, Cumbria. Her photographs have featured in The Times, Manchester Evening News, This England, Cumbria Life, Westmoreland Gazette, The Scots magazine, Northern Life, and countless other magazines and newspapers all across northern England. Her photographic books have earned her a strong following: The Pennines, The North Pennines, Land’s End to John O’Groats, String of Pearls (Lake District).

A keen walker and lover of wild and lonely places, she is married to Bob Shelmerdine who shares her passion for the outdoors.