The Forest of Bowland (AONB) is a unique and magnificent part of the countryside.  

The expanses of sky above dramatic sweeps of open moorland not only make it captivating by day but after the sun sets there’s a whole new world to discover in the dark skies over Bowland. 

Dark skies are becoming extremely rare across Britain due to overcrowding and light pollution diluting our chance to see the stars shining brightly above us. 

Over the past few years the night skies over Bowland have been recognised as some of the darkest in Britain and granted official status as Dark Sky Discovery Sites. 

There are several designated Dark Sky Discovery Sites within Bowland: 

Beacon Fell Country Park – Grid ref: SD 5670 4280 
Gisburn Forest Hub - Grid ref: SD 7453 5591 
Slaidburn Village Car Park - Grid ref: SD 7136 5235 
Crook o’ Lune Picnic Site - Grid ref: SD 5219 6479 

The winter months, with longer night and darker skies, tend to be the best time to stargaze, but there are events taking place throughout the year where you can observe a magical spectacle in the skies above. 

Dark Sky Friendly Places To Stay 
There are several accommodation providers located in Bowland who have become ‘Dark Sky Friendly’. This means they have been trained and are passionate about star gazing and provide facilities and information to their visitors. These include – 

Dale House Camping Barn and B&B 
Merrybent Hill B&B 
The Spread Eagle
Cobden Farm 

Plan your escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and loose yourself in the starry skies of Lancashire. 

Head to www.forestofbowland.com/Star-Gazing for lots more information.

Don't miss the Bowland Dark Skies Festival - 16 - 24 February 2019.

Related

Dale House Camping Barn
Camping Barn
Dale House Camping Barn

Dale House Barn offers a rustic self catering barn stay in a 400 year old camping barn that sleeps 4-14 people. Ideally situated on the edge of Gisburn Forest and near to Stocks Reservoir in a beautiful and remote location.

Merrybent Hill Luxury Bed & Breakfast
Bed & Breakfast
Merrybent Hill Luxury Bed & Breakfast

Merrybent Hill is a stunning luxury B&B situated in an rural location in the Forest of Bowland, with outstanding views towards Pendle Hill. Ideally situated half way between Lands End & John O'Groats. The house has immense character with stone mullioned windows, huge oak beams and log burning stoves.

The Spread Eagle
Bed & Breakfast
The Spread Eagle

An attractive coaching inn nestling within The Forest of Bowland, an area of outstanding natural beauty, in the heart of the Ribble Valley.

Cobden Farm Bed and Breakfast
Bed & Breakfast
Cobden Farm Bed and Breakfast

Welcome to Cobden Farm Bed and Breakfast, on a working hillside Forest of Bowland farm looking across the glorious Sabden Valley to Pendle Hill.

Bowland Dark Skies Festival
Nature
Bowland Dark Skies Festival

The Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) has been officially recognised as having some of the darkest skies in England - a fact being celebrated next month with a week of special events during half-term.

0 Comments

Comments

Nobody has commented on this post yet, why not send us your thoughts and be the first?

Leave a Reply