Silence of the Lambs: Forest of Bowland (Late May Bank Holiday 2026)

webmasteribex
4 hours ago
4 min read

Just getting your attention!! There were plenty of cute little lambs, in the fields and on the fells, and lots of space and silence in which we could enjoy a slightly cooler Bank Holiday weekend away from a very overheated London.

After the long slog up from London, 16 Ibexers finally arrived at the Smelt Mill Centre in the Forest of Bowland near Dunsop Bridge with its quirky 2 part kitchen/diner and slightly dodgy electrics but otherwise very good accommodation choice with a helpful on-site caretaker (needed a few times) and heaps of bedrooms and bathrooms.

It was a surprise to wake up to a thick mist on Saturday morning. We had expected overnight rain but not view annihilating damp. But off we set anyway; 2 groups, one ascending to the highest point of the Forest of Bowland and the other up to Hawthornthwaite Fell Top and Lingy Pits Moss.

David Watts took the first group from the bunkhouse up the valley and then up to Hawthorthwaite Fell Top (479m). On the ascent the group had an eerie experience - surrounded by mist and hundreds of nearby squawking birds which could not be seen! Being particularly boggy underfoot and with no views, David replanned the original larger and higher circular walk, leading the group east instead to Lingy Pits Moss and following the drier track back. Wildlife spot of the walk; a couple of ground nests with 3 eggs each of the Lesser Black Backed Gull. The team, getting back a bit earlier than originally planned were able to go off to a local pub to enjoy the sunshine which emerged in full from around 4pm. Distance approximately 10 miles.

Elizabeth’s group were 2^nd out of the bunkhouse. The start was a short drive away at Tower Lodge car park. Starting on the Wyre Way, the route then ascended up Tarnsyke Clough in the wet mist. Convinced it would have burnt off by lunchtime, the group optimistically ascended on to Dunksmore Fell then West to Lee Fell and Grizedale Head before turning east again and making the final ascent to Ward’s Stone (560m). Kylie scaled the large boulder to exceed the official high spot of Forest of Bowland. This lunchstop still evinced no stunning views but added a sense of peacefulness. At the 2^nd triangulation point (561m) at the eastern edge of the plateau some gaps in the mists were emerging and continued to clear as the route descended to Brown Syke. At this point Elizabeth made a call to take the group directly south down a gravel path rather than risk more bogginess on the originally planned Wolfhole Crag and Brenand and Great Hill route. Having rejoined the Wyre Way again the group retraced steps, this time with very attractive views. Distance approx. 14 miles. Ascent approx. 600m.

A delicious 3 course group-prepared meal was enjoyed by all on Saturday evening.

Sunday offered 2 walks, Pendle Hill, a 30 min drive away and a walk from Dunsop Bridge, near the bunkhouse, to Dunsop Head and Whitendale.

Starting at Downham, The Pendle Hill team ascended Downham Moor up to Beacon (or Big End) on Pendle Hill, the highest point of the walk at 557m. They then descended south down Boar Clough then east to Ogden Hill and Barley Green. The return was lower level north east then north west back to Downham. The weather was clear and bright and the team well deserved their ice-cream and soft drinks at the finish. Distance approx. 10.5 miles. Ascent approx 629m.

Meanwhile Catriona and Karen hiked from Dunsop Bridge following Dunsop River and then headed north west to Beatrix then New Biggin. Thereafter the planned route was not accessible due to homeowners and farmers blocking public footpaths or not allowing access to permissive ones. An elusive Roman Road which could have taken the duo directly to the spot height of 431m was invisible on Burn Fell but after contouring along a sheep track they struck for the ridge steeply up the side of Burn Fell and were rewarded with a comfortable and scenic lunch spot. They joined a fell ridge footpath after lunch which gave a view across Dunsop Fell. From Dunsop Head they descended to Whitendale then followed the river south towards Dunsop Bridge, cutting off before the village to return to the bunkhouse. Distance approx. 11.5 miles. Ascent approx. 500m.

Another excellent group meal was enjoyed by all on Sunday evening.

Monday saw 2 Ibexers leave early including Nadia who was flying to Romania later in the day to attend an Iron Maiden gig😊 later in the week. There were a couple of walk options; a walk from Dunsop Bridge to the west of the river up the fells (8 miles) and The Tolkien Trail (6.5 miles) from Hurst Green in the Ribble Valley passing the famous Stoneyhurst independent school which Tolkien visited regularly in the 1940’s when his son was teaching there. The countryside inspired The Shires (Hobbit home). Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was also a former pupil. David, Gina and Kylie went to Morecombe.