Sites and Facilities

Access Areas

Map showing Access Areas

CLOUGHA ACCESS AREA (map)
Lancashire County Council have completed extensions to the Access Agreements at Clougha and Tarnbrook near Abbeystead. An additional 1500 acres of open access near Tarnbrook and 11.5Km (7.2 miles) of linear access on existing shooting tracks, linking the Access strip and Wards stone, will give walkers some interesting new opportunities to explore the local moorland. Lancashire's Countryside Service has proved over nearly 30 years how successful the management of Access to Open Country can be- providing visitor management for over 4000 acres of Access Area in Lancashire. Full time and volunteer Rangers play an important part in that work by maintaining stiles and information signs and giving walkers advice and assistance. Erosion is monitored and remedial work programmed if necessary. In very dry weather peat condition is monitored and the Access Areas can be closed at times of exceptionally high fire risk to prevent damage to this important wildlife and economic resource. Sporting use of the moors can continue with closures for shooting part of the pattern of management; under the terms of the new agreements the Access Area at Tarnbrook can also be closed in early summer for scientific surveys. (The Access paths on the perimeter of the area will remain open.) A MAP showing the new access is included or is available from the Lancashire Countryside Service on 01772 534709 and new information signs have been erected at all the Access points and car parks adjacent to the Access Areas.

FAIRSNAPE, WOLF & SADDLE FELL (map)
These Access Areas allow managed public access onto 1,500 acres of mainly private heather moorland. You can wander over the rounded, sheep-cropped hillsides and climb to the top of Fairsnape Fell. Entry onto the Access Areas of Fairsnape, Wolf Fell and Saddle Fell can be gained from the Anglo-Saxon village of Chipping. Entry onto these Access Areas is subject to certain restrictions which are displayed at all main access points. Dogs are not allowed onto Fairsnape and Saddle Fell.

FAIRSNAPE : 648 acres. Rises to 520 meters (1707 ft.) and includes Fairsnape Fell, 510 metres (1574 ft.)

SADDLE FELL : 360 acres. Rises to 480 meters (1575 ft.)

WOLF FELL : 514 acres. Access to this area is covered by Access Order, which means that the bylaws do not apply on this fell.

Please follow the country code.

Car parking for Fairsnape, Saddle Fell and Wolf Fell is at Chipping Village (GR: SD 622433) 2 miles away or at Beacon Fell Country Park (GR: SD 573427) 2 1/2 miles away. Use Ordnance Survey Outdoor leisure 41 Map (Forest Of Bowland and Ribblesdale). 1:25,000

PENDLETON COMMON (map)
PENDLE HILL : 2200 acres. Rises to 557m (1826 ft.) Access to this area is covered by open access, so the bylaws of Clougha. Fairsnape and Saddle Fell do not apply. Access is on foot only, please follow the country code.

Car parking for Pendle Hill is available at Pendleton (GR:SD 758397), Sabden (GR:SD 779374), Barley (GR:SD 820405) and Downham (GR:SD 785444) as well as on Pendle Hill it's self. Use Ordnance Survey Outdoor leisure 41 Map (Forest Of Bowland and Ribblesdale). 1:25,000 and 'Paths Around Pendle' ( published by Duncan Armstrong & Associates) available from Downham Post office, Barley Information Centre and selected local shops.

WHAT IS AN ACCESS AREA?
The Access Agreements negotiated between Lancashire County Council and the owners and occupiers of some 4800 acres of open country has opened up some of the most remote and unspoilt areas of the Forest of Bowland to the walker. You can wander over the rounded sheep-cropped hillsides of Fairsnape Fell or strike out over windswept heather moors where gaunt gritstone outcrops and black peat hags have been weathered into fantastic forms. It is your right, under the terms of the Agreements to roam freely over the Access Areas, but please remember that the land is privately owned and that they are still used for rough grazing, grouse shooting and water catchment. You must comply with the bylaws and restrictions which are displayed on notice boards at all car parks and access points.

DOGS
Apart from Public Rights of Way, where they must be kept under proper control, dogs are NOT allowed on the Access Areas under any circumstances. This is to protect wildlife especially nesting birds and livestock in the area. However dogs are permitted on WOLF FELL as this is covered by an Access Order. Please obey al posted signs and keep to the boundary of Wolf Fell.

IMPORTANT
Please remember that fires and stoves are prohibited on the access areas. Please be careful with cigarettes and matches. The Access Areas may be closed at certain times for shooting, scientific surveys and at times of extreme fire risk. Notices will be posted at all Access Points to warn of such closures. Help to protect the countryside, follow the Country Code.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE
Dial 999. Tell the operator which service you want. Give the telephone number shown on the phone and stay by the phone until the emergency service ring you back. Give the location of where help is needed. Countryside Rangers patrol over the Access Areas and they will be glad to give you friendly advice and information should you wish it. Please do not hesitate to approach them if there is anything you need to know.

GENERAL INFORMATION

FARMING
The features we enjoy so much about upland landscapes, animals, fields, hedges, stone walls and many of the wildlife habitats are the direct result of farming practices. They would all decline considerably without proper maintenance, reverting back to wilderness. The hills need: Farmers who have a lifetimes experience of skills and stockmanship; the sheep and cattle keeping down the vegetation and contributing to the health of the soil. The well-being of these areas is vital for both farming and the environment. If farming in the hills dies, communities, the landscape and wildlife will all suffer, so please follow the Country Code and help farmers to protect the environment.

RECREATIONAL USES
The provision for recreation in the Bowland area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is accepted when it is consistent with both the conservation of the landscape and wildlife and with the needs and requirements of the people who live and work in the area. There is a good network of public footpaths linking in with the Access Areas to give further scope for enjoyable walks. The Access Areas offer some of the roughest and most remote walking in Lancashire. It is vital that you are adequately equipped. Even on a fine summer day the weather can change rapidly and cloud can descend without warning. During your walk bear in mind that considerable areas of the Bowland Fells were used for military training during World War II and that there are still unexploded shells in some areas. If you discover anything which could be a shell, do not touch it and inform the Police or a Ranger as soon as you can. Do not walk alone if you are inexperienced or uncertain of your ability.

MOORLAND MANAGEMENT
Moorland is a unique habitat, it looks like, wild, untouched countryside but in fact it is man-made. The Forest of Bowland boasts some of Britain's finest grouse moors. The Red Grouse, the symbol of moorland Britain is found nowhere else in the world. Grouse management brings stability to the upland landscape, ensuring the survival of this unique habitat and its wildlife. Grouse cannot be artificially reared, and controlled moor burning is the traditional way in which their habitat is managed to encourage healthy populations. Heather is burned in strips on a rotation to ensure a constant supply of young tender shoots for feeding, partly grown for resting areas and older growth provide nesting cover. A well-managed grouse moor is instantly recognizable from the patchwork quilt effect of the different areas of growth. Management of the heather for Red grouse also benefits important bird communities such as birds of prey and waders. Grouse shooting forms an important source of employment in many rural areas and its impact upon the upland economy is substantial.

CONSERVATION AND LANDSCAPE
Bowland is of national importance for nature conservation. This is reflected by the designation of the Bowland Fells as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Many years of sensitive management of the moors and surrounding farmland have resulted in the area being of Internationally recognize "Important Bird Areas" as well as " Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty". The Bowland Fells are the largest area of continuous heather moorland in Lancashire, providing an important breeding ground cover and a vital food source for many bird species, Red Grouse, Hen harrier, Merlin, Golden Plover being the most notable. Rare plant communities are also associated with heather moorland, blanket bogs and wet flushes. The designation AONB not only aims to conserve the flora and fauna of the area, but also the geological and landscape features. Traditionally, hedges of hawthorn, blackthorn and other shrubs have formed working field boundaries. Dividing low-lying fields and farmland, they rise up to a network of dry stone walls on the higher fells. Dry stone walls are not only low maintenance boundaries providing valuable shelter for stock but are traditional and valuable components of the landscape. The Countryside Management Service tries to identify key farm boundaries in the landscape with a view to assisting farmers to maintain and improve them. Thus their value as both wildlife habitats and landscape features is retained.

ARE YOU PROPERLY EQUIPPED FOR THE ACCESS AREAS?
While you are out on the Access Areas it is vital that you are properly equipped. Walking boots, waterproof clothing, maps, a compass, spare food and clothing are essential. Wise walkers plan their walks carefully before setting out. Find out what weather to expect. Allow adequate time. One hour for every two miles plus one hour for every 1500 ft of ascent. Tell someone of your intended route and when you expect to return. Do not walk alone if you are inexperienced or uncertain of your ability.

WALKING BOOTS # WATERPROOF CLOTHING # MAPS # COMPASS # FOOD # HIGH ENERGY SNACK # TORCH # SPARE BATTERIES # WATCH # MONEY # WHISTLE # FIRST AID KIT # SURVIVAL BAG # WATER # FLASK (HOT DRINK) # SPARE JUMPER # SPARE TROUSERS # HAT # GLOVES #

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