Forest of Bowland

Forest of Bowland, rural region in Lancashire and North Yorkshire, England. The Forest of Bowland was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty by the Countryside Agency in 1964. The area spans from the city of Lancaster in the west to near Barnoldswick in the east, covering Lancaster and Wyre, Pendle, Preston, and Ribble Valley parliamentary constituencies, and Craven District. The Hodder, Lune, Ribble, and Wyre rivers all run through the Forest of Bowland. The region is not, as the name suggests, entirely forested and is made up of diverse, unspoiled landscapes including a large area of moorland. The northern portion is separated by the Trough of Bowland, a river valley and high pass that connects the Wyre with Langden Brook. The highest point is Wards Stone (560 m/1,837 ft), near Lancaster in the north-west of the area. Pendle Hill, at 558 m (1,831 ft), is a landmark in the south-east of the region. Flora and fauna include bluebells, cotton grass, sphagnum moss, emperor moths, hen harriers, peregrines, red grouse, and sheep. The Forest of Bowland covers 802 sq km (310 sq mi).