Farm Stays

Cobden View self catering cottage

Cobden View cottage is set in its own grounds with glorious panoramic views of Sabden valley and Pendle Hill in the Forest of Bowland. Through its windows, you can also see sheep and cattle (plus some hens and geese) that graze the hillside fields at Cobden Farm. The well-equipped cottage, with two bedrooms, can sleep up to five people and a baby. There’s a spacious lounge with a log burner, a dining kitchen with plenty of room, a shared four-piece bathroom and a utility room. All have lots of extras aimed at making your stay special.

Well-behaved dogs are more than welcome. The private rear garden has decking area ideally sited for al fresco meals, or just relaxing and enjoying the wonderful scenery. On clear nights, it’s perfect for Dark Skies gazing.

Walk from the door of Cobden View onto public footpaths close by that link with others criss-crossing Sabden valley. The cottage is a mile from Sabden with its two shops, including a Post Office; Sanwitches cafe in the former mill; a beauty salon Ella-Mia; and two pubs. For children, there’s a lovely play park and grass play area next to Sabden Brook where they can paddle. A Sabden Treasure Trail leaflet, produced by the Pendle Hill Landscape project, is a great way to discover the village.

Location-wise, the cottage is not far from Blackpool, Lytham St Annes and Southport seasides (less than an hour’s drive), the Yorkshire Dales and West Pennine Moors (an hour); M65 (10-15 mins); A59 (10 mins).

Land and Sea Lancaster

For big skies, wide open spaces and the perfect environment for rewilding yourself, head over to the windswept salt marshes of the Lancashire coast, where the Forest of Bowland meets the sea!

After travelling the world with a high-powered job for more than a decade, Lancashire lass Michelle Parry returned to her family farm with a mission to rewild herself and reverse the noise and clutter accumulated through 21^st century culture by reconnecting with nature.

Now, Michelle runs a busy schedule of events, workshops and wellness retreats under the big skies of the Lancashire coast, where the emphasis is firmly on the healing power of place in a very special landscape on the salt marshes of Morecambe Bay in the shadow of the Bowland Fells.

“I consider myself one of the lucky ones who experienced life pre-mobile phones and computers,” says Michelle. “I have a lot of gratitude for my upbringing: running wild, making dens and being free-range and feral is what I always knew. 

“Over the past 10 years I’ve witnessed the increasingly rapid disconnect humans have with the natural world.

“Today, I find it hard to wrap my head around how much this is impacting our daily lives, our connection with one another, our planet and the devastating impact it is having to our natural world, on our mental wellbeing, creating a broken ‘new normal’ for our future generations.

“Bridging the gap between the countryside and city life is something I’ve become increasingly passionate about. Here at Land and Sea, we’re on a mission to rewild our fellow humans and welcome you all along for the journey.”

One of the centrepieces of Michelle’s mission is the Untamed Supper Club – a series of informal semi al fresco dinners where anyone and everyone is welcome. As you’d expect, the accent here is on wild and foraged foods, served in the rustic surroundings of an old outbarn dressed for a feast.

The raw ingredients are overwhelmingly locally sourced and a ‘hyper-seasonal’ with food miles often in simple minds, but the cooking influences stretch around the world, from the Scandinavia to the Far East.

The dining is communal, with plates and platters passed between guests seated at a long trestle table where the food, wine and conversation flow as naturally as the tide seeping into the creeks on the salt marsh just a few yards away.

“As a farming family, food is very important to us,” said Michelle. “We’re connected to the land around us and understand the hardworking efforts that go into the production of every mouthful. 

“To us, food represents far more than filling an empty space; it’s about the nourishment it gives our bodies in order to thrive and be healthy, the connection it brings when we come together with others. That’s the spirit that underpins our Untamed Suppers.”

Although it’s off the beaten track, Land and Sea is well connected with good public transport links to Lancaster and perfect terrain to explore on foot or by bike.

There are superb coastal walks direct from the farm gate and the excellent cycleways of Lancaster connect seamlessly with the quiet country lanes crossing the coastal floodplains.

The quirky little port of Glasson Dock is just a short ride away, from where a traffic-free cycleway runs along the Lune estuary into Lancaster and beyond to Morecambe, where another cycle route extends around the whole of Morecambe Bay.

For those who want to make a short break of it, combine a stay in the quality accommodation at Patty’s Barn and some foraging on the marsh with a foodie tour of Lancashire and the Forest of Bowland and a visit to the historic old port of Lancaster.

Patty’s Barn

Patty’s Barn is a collection of 4-star self-catering cottages, and two wooden cabins located 10 mins south of the historic city of Lancaster.

Each cottage comes well-equipped with all the essentials and everything you need for the perfect stay. Onsite you’ll find our communal games room, outdoor dining area with BBQ fireplace, nature trail across open fields, ponds, private woodlands with picnic tables, a small gym and private events room, bookable wood-fired hot and cold tub, and unmissable sunsets over the bay.

All the barns are spacious and full of character and original features with plenty of room to rest and relax whilst enjoying the unspoilt natural beauty of the surrounding rural area. 

You’ll find the kitchen fully equipped giving you that home away from home feeling and great for bringing family and friends together around a large table. 

We provide fresh towels, linen and Pure Lakes natural skincare products,operate a high level of cleanliness and are English Tourist Board 4-star rated. 

Additional facilities onsite:

• Communal games room which includes; a pool table, table tennis, air hockey and chill-out sofa area.

• The Out Barn, a covered outdoor dining area with a large BBQ fireplace and decorated with rustic, quirky interiors, fire pits and barrel BBQs for outside your cottage on request also. 

• Wood-fired hot and cold tub which are available to book as an extra service. 

•  A small gym which includes a weight stack, bench, spin bike and cross trainer. 

• Private nature trail, including woodlands, ponds large woodland picnic table and open pastures as well as being located directly on the English Coastal pathway.  

•  We have a private events room which you can hire for parties or retreats. Be sure to check out our sister company, The Rewilding which are located onsite with a calendar of inspiring events, workshops and food and foraging experiences to get involved with during your stay. 

• Two, 3-acre carp fishing lakes with discounts available for those staying with us at Patty’s Barn.

• Swings that look out across the salt marshes and children love to play on.  

•One EV charger is available for guests to charge vehicles at an extra cost

• Paddock and field areas with football and rugby goals for children and families to play in. 

• You might even find yourself jumping out of a plane during your stay with The Black Knights Skydive Centre a stone’s throw away. 

Plus, plenty more nooks and crannies to explore during your stay, this is a great place to stay for families, walkers and cyclists, artists, fishing and bird watching on Morecambe Bay and those looking for a rural retreat and to enjoy some open space and fresh air taking in the epic sunsets across the unique salt marshes of Morecambe Bay.

The Lake District is a short drive, as is a breathtaking stroll through the Trough of Bowland.  A stock of changing landscapes to enjoy for all.  However, you’ll struggle to beat the dramatic sunsets over Morecambe Bay which can be enjoyed right from your window.

Located a short 7 mile drive from the historic city of Lancaster offering great access for Lancaster University, The Lake District, Peak District and other great northern cities like Manchester and Blackpool. Lancaster truly is the “road to nowhere.”

There are many excellent restaurants, pubs and cafes to enjoy. Whether you’re a bird watcher, golfer, all-round expert relaxer or walking enthusiast. We welcome you to indulge in cozy winter nights, bright frosty days or long sunshine coastal walks with a picnic and blanket. Patty’s Barn is ideally located for your break with a wide range of activities within easy reach.

Wild Fox Distillery

Deep in the heart of the Forest Bowland’s famed ‘Lancashire cheese triangle’, a traditional dairy farming family are ploughing their own furrow by producing a distinctive artisan gin with deep roots in the local landscape

Founded in 2019 as part of a farm diversification scheme, Wild Fox distillery has gone from strength to strength, winning the title of best rural drink business in the 2021 Rural Business Awards.

Established by fourth generation Lancashire farmers Rob and Lizzie Billington, the distillery draws pure, fresh water from its own bore hole and features subtle flavours from wild herbs foraged among the farm’s hedgerows for an authentic ‘farm-to-bottle’ product.

Lizzie’s career in new product development, instilled a real passion for creating new products which kept ‘real produce’ at the heart of each new line.

When the couple decided to diversify, Lizzie started exploring what the farm naturally had growing within the fields and hedgerows and combined with fruits and leaves from the orchard. She then purchased a small table top still and began experimenting. After trialling 47 recipes, they were happy they had a product worth sharing with world. 

The range now extends to four gins plus seasonal specials including Ivy’s Signature Gin, Blushing Vixen and Twelve Bore – a spicy winter warmer flavoured with orange zest and ginger and bottled at a potent 45% proof!

Rob and Lizzie’s family has been associated with dairy farming and cheese making in Lancashire since 1932.

“For as long as I can remember, a G&T was the staple after-work tipple,” said Lizzie. “Once they’d finished the evening milking, mum and dad used to relax with a gin and tonic. It wasn’t trendy and there weren’t hundreds to choose from, it was simply a high-quality spirit enjoyed with tonic, ice and a slice.”

Alongside farming, Rob’s passion for agricultural engineering has come in handy for maintaining Ivy, the 50-litre copper column still which produces their gin.

Ivy now takes pride of place in a purpose-built distillery and café on the farm which nestles in the shadow of the Bowland Fells in the heart of Lancashire’s rich dairy farming pastureland.

The café welcomes visitors to watch Lizzie and colleagues making the gin and enjoy coffee and home-baked cakes – along with the occasional sample of the latest fruits of their labours.

The Wild Fox Distillery and café is open to the public Wednesday – Friday from 10am – 5pm and on Saturdays from 10am – 3pm for coffee, cake, gin tasting and nibbles. To reserve a table, email spirited@wildfoxdistillery.co.uk or call 01995 641136.

For special events and tastings, visit the website: wildfoxdistillery.co.uk or follow Wild Fox on social media.

Why not combine your visit with a walk, developed in partnership with the Forest of Bowland National Landscape:

Wild Fox Distillery to Beacon Fell Circular: www.forestofbowland.com/walking#800625304

Wild Fox Distillery to Brock Bottoms Circular: www.forestofbowland.com/walking#801401612

Wood End Farm and Alpaca Experience

Our family have farmed here for over 100 years. It is a traditional hill farm, with beef and sheep, set in the beauty and tranquility of this unspoilt area in rural Lancashire.

We believe in preserving the best of traditional farming practice and work hard to conserve traditional hedgerows, meadows and dry stone walls. We have a double en-suite room and a twin ensuite room that can be changed to king-size if required. We offer a breakfast of your choice made from the finest local ingredients; free wifi; flat screen TV; tea making facilities; stair lift; off road parking and a beautiful garden.

We can also offer you an ‘alpaca experience’, beauty treatments or fusion therapeutic coaching – please ask for more information when you book. We can accommodate horses with a yard, tack room and field turnout and if you are a keen cyclist, fisherman or walker we have lockable storage, drying facilities and a hose in the yard.