The Forest of Bowland had been on our list for a while, but I didn't realise just how lovely it would be (or how completely deserted).
We arrived at our campsite to discover that we had the entire place to ourselves. It was just us and a beautiful view.
The Forest of Bowland is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, filled with wide valleys, heather-covered moorland, winding rivers, and dramatic green hills. Yet somehow, it seems to have escaped the crowds that descend on the Lake District and Peak District every summer.
Honestly, it is completely baffling.
In the Lakes, you can arrive at a beauty spot before breakfast and still struggle to park. In the Peak District, even a quiet-looking footpath can suddenly resemble a sponsored walk. In Bowland, we kept arriving at beautiful places and wondering where everybody was.
The whole region felt peaceful, spacious, and almost strangely undiscovered.
Walking the Langden Brook Trail
One of the highlights of our trip was walking the Langden Brook Trail.
The route follows the brook through a wonderfully open valley, with hills rising on either side and water tumbling over rocks beside the path. It had exactly the sort of scenery we love: wild enough to feel like a proper adventure, but still manageable for a family walk.
There were bridges to cross, stones to investigate, water to paddle near, and plenty of places to stop and take everything in. The huge surrounding landscape made the walk feel much more dramatic than its relatively gentle route suggested.
And once again, it was incredibly quiet.
Lunch at Puddleducks Tea Room
After our walk, we headed to Puddleducks Tea Room for coffee and lunch.
It was exactly what we needed: a welcoming tearoom, good food, and somewhere to sit down properly after our adventure. A well-timed coffee after a family walk is one of life’s greatest pleasures, particularly when you have spent part of that walk negotiating with a small child about whether every stone needs to come home with you.
The area beside the tearoom was just as lovely. There is a playground and a picnic site nearby, which makes it an especially good stop with children. JJ could play while we relaxed, rather than immediately becoming restless. It would also be a brilliant place to bring a picnic and spend a little longer, especially on a sunny day.
A Quieter Alternative to the Lakes and Peaks
The Forest of Bowland feels like the sort of place people are always hoping to find: beautiful, wild, peaceful, family-friendly, and not completely overwhelmed by visitors.
It doesn’t have the same famous name recognition as the Lake District or the Peak District; none of the friends we mentioned this camping trip to had even heard of it. Perhaps, though, that's what makes it so special.
There are still dramatic views, lovely walks, streams, hills, cafés, villages, and plenty of places for children to explore. The difference is that you might actually be able to park when you arrive. You may even get a whole campsite to yourself.
I’m still amazed that somewhere this beautiful can remain so quiet during the summer holidays.
Naturally, I’m now torn between telling everyone how wonderful it is and keeping completely silent so that we can continue pretending the entire Forest of Bowland belongs to us.
For now, let’s just say that it is well worth putting on your family adventure list. You can find out more at discoverbowland.uk.
Just don’t all go at once.