Fine Dining

Bentham Golf Course

Bentham Golf Course is a picturesque, family-run 18 hole golf course situated at the foot of the Yorkshire Three Peaks. Previously described as ‘a Diamond of the Dales’, Bentham offers a challenge to golfers of all abilities and visitors are welcome every day of the week.

Bowland and Bay

As the Forest of Bowland’s reputation for artisan food spreads across the country, Katie Wilson at Bowland and Bay is showcasing some of Lancashire’s best artisan food and drink

After 30 years in various tourism and buying roles, the pandemic prompted Katie Wilson to reappraise her life and start her own business.

After 2020 she set her heart on supporting independent artisans in her homeland, developing sustainable micro-adventures, that bring visitors closer than ever before to the latest and finest food around the Forest of Bowland National Landscape.

Bowland and Bay specialises in food tours across the Forest of Bowland and Morecambe Bay – showcasing the very best produce the region has to offer.

From the wheel of her comfortable Mercedes people carrier, Katie takes groups of up to eight on a magical foodie tour of the finest artisans in the region.

Created for food lovers, in the belief that by eating together and sharing stories, visitors have the opportunity to really engage with producers and reconnect with Lancashire’s unique ‘terroir’ on a deeper level.

Katie’s itineraries offer full and half day food tours, each include 7-8 artisan foodie adventures for adults and children over the age of 12 years. Adventures can include cheese and ice cream at the farm, freshly made bakes and comfort classics. Visiting award winning micro-brewers, gin distilleries and inns. There are plenty of opportunities to buy pantry delights along the way.

Strictly for grown-ups are Katie’s weekend Brewery Tours, visiting five breweries, where guests can taste over 15 beers or sample local craft gins, alongside superb street food.

“For me, Lancashire is one of the UK’s hidden gems,” said Katie. “Our food scene is right up there with renowned foodie hotspots like Burgundy in France or Portland in Oregon and a lot of that is down to our climate.

“Lancashire’s climate means we have incredibly lush grass which in turn means our farmers produce great milk which is turned into some of the best cheese in the country.

“The climate also means we can produce great beef, and all the products you associate with that – including, of course, our famous pies!

“We also have the coastline of Morecambe Bay within easy reach, and the unique seafood that this iconic part of the English coastline produces.

“Lancashire really has it all and I think it’s time the county really shouted about its food culture – not just for foodies from the UK – but from all over the world.”

Katie Wilson, Bowland and Bay

Katie runs bespoke tours for larger groups or scheduled tours which couples or individuals can join and meet fellow foodies on the day. There’s such a vast array of options, no two tours are identical and customers can shape their own itinerary to match their tastes, interests and appetites!

“We might visit six or eight artisan producers, ranging from fantastic bakers and pastry chefs, to microbreweries in a barn, a gin distillery high up in the fells or a Michelin-starred restaurant,” said Katie. “One thing you can be sure of however, you won’t go home hungry. This is Lancashire, we do things properly here – there’s no half measures or tiny portions!”

Bowland and Bay Food tours start at £85 per person for a half-day Lancashire Foodie Adventure – including all tastings. For more details, consult our tour schedule.

Contact us direct to discuss your specific needs: 07476 001539 or hello@bowlandandbay.co.uk

Bowland Beer Hall

The Beer Hall is Bowland Brewery’s flagship tasting parlour… and what a flagship it is!

One of the longest bars in Britain – 105ft 4”- is home to 42 hand pulls and hosts a minimum of 24 individual cask beers at any one time. There’s also a bank of bespoke keg beers and lagers too, not to mention an ever-changing selection of ciders. Then there’s the bottled beers and the cans… not quite every beer you can think of, more an expertly curated selection – that changes every week!

The decor and design are decidedly industrial but the ambience and the atmosphere are warm and vibrant. Find a cosy table for two in the Chimney Room or the Engine Room or join friends for a lively evening around one of the long communal tables in true Bavarian Beer Hall style.

There’s a genuine warmth to this great big space that defies description – just come along and sample it for yourself!

But it’s not just about the beer! We also have a great selection of wines, fizz and an increasing range of designer gins along with a comprehensive menu of tasty beer hall tucker.

Featuring small plates and snacks to nibble with a beer, through to crowd-pleasing classics like burgers, hot dogs, pies and salads, there’s something for everyone.

Bowland Food Hall

Bowland Food Hall is the most wonderful showcase for the very best of Lancashire’s food and drink producers. We work with passionate food and drink producers across the northwest, to bring the finest fare to your plate. Most of them are small independent artisan producers who farm or grow in Lancashire. Many deliver their fantastically fresh produce direct to the Food Hall and by shopping local not only will you enjoy simply fabulous produce but you are supporting the local economy too.

Pop in to stock up for your stay, order a picnic for your days out, grab a coffee and cake in the cafe or perhaps even take home a hamper of Lancashire goodies as a memento of your trip… whatever culinary treats you discover we can promise you won’t be disappointed!

Dale House Barn Luxury B&B & Cookery Courses

Michelin-trained chef Dominique Ashford has tuned into the slower rhythms of nature after swapping the top end restaurants of London for wild food and foraging in the Forest of Bowland

For a really wild adventure in one of the most remote parts of the Forest of Bowland, Dale House Barn ticks a lot of boxes.

This pretty farmhouse B&B and camping barn is the ideal location for a peaceful rural retreat to recharge the batteries or an action-packed weekend of walking, cycling, foraging and cooking.

Nestling beneath the craggy outcrops of Bowland Knotts, high above the sparkling waters of Stocks Reservoir, Dale House Barn is the perfect base from which to explore Bowland on foot or by bike.

And there’s no need to rough it in this isolated location. Dominique is an experienced chef and her cookery and bread making courses are incredibly popular with guests. As you’d expect, the food is pretty awesome, too and most of Dominique’s guests book in for dinner and her legendary breakfast while staying at Dale House.

Dominique worked primarily as a pastry chef for over 25 years in some of the best kitchens in the UK – including the Roux brothers, Terence Conran’s Le Pont de la Tour, The Houses of Parliament and Aiden Byrne.

Dominique now uses her skills and imagination to devise dishes that include as much wild, seasonal, local and sustainable produce as possible with an aim to have zero waste. 

Partner Andrew is a keen outdoorsman and a local game keeper who provides Dale House with a steady supply of venison, rabbit, wild duck and pigeon. And despite the accent on local game, vegetarians and vegans are well catered for too!

Complemented by foraged herbs, leaves and berries and locally grown vegetables, be it breakfast, afternoon tea or dinner, mealtimes are always a highlight at Dale House.

Dominique hosts a wide range of food and rural skills courses, which all take place in the farmhouse kitchen and a purpose-built professional kitchen.

Each course is limited to maximum of five people with most run as private workshops for family and friends. Guests will chat, cook and eat their way through the day with plenty of opportunity to get involved on a practical level too.

For the more actively inclined, the traffic-free mountain bike trails of Gisburn Forest are a short ride away and a hilly 10k trail run around Stocks Reservoir is easily accessible.

Quiet road cycling routes and miles of wilderness walks start right from the farmhouse gate and if you need a bit of help to negotiate the hilly terrain, Ribble Valley E-bikes can deliver electric bikes direct to the door.

During the autumn and winter months, the Forest of Bowland’s dark skies offer amazing views of the planets and constellations while the onset of spring heralds the arrival of a host of rare visitors, including ospreys, ring ouzel, curlew and sky dancing hen harriers.

Hearty breakfasts with homemade bread, granola and preserves, eggs from our hens and locally sourced bacon and sausages. Packed lunches, hampers and picnics are also available. A perfect location for exploring the Forest of Bowland.

Falcon Manor

In the heart of historic Settle, Falcon Manor is a glamorous restaurant, hotel and wedding venue that combines classic sophistication with contemporary chic.

Our 16 boutique bedrooms are furnished to the highest standards with traditional touches and sumptuous styling, each and every room at Falcon Manor has a unique personality. From the gorgeously decadent Rafters Suite to our simply sublime doubles and twins, you’ll find it easy to relax in a Falcon Manor room. With goose down duvets, feather-soft pillows and the finest cotton sheets, you’re guaranteed to sleep soundly. And when it comes to food our philosophy is simple. To take the freshest ingredients, prepare them with care and respect and create stunning dishes, packed full of flavour.

Located as we are on the edge of the National Landscape we are ideally located for walking, cycling and mountain biking, all of which are wonderful ways of exploring the local countryside. Discover hidden places using the many routes and trails that criss-cross the area. From a gentle stroll along the banks of the River Ribble to the challenge of the 24 mile Three Peaks walk and everything in between.

Shireburn Arms

Located in the picturesque village of Hurst Green, The Shireburn Arms is a 17th Century hostelry offering stunning views, beautiful accommodation and locally produced food. Original architectural features cosy, up to date contemporary fittings and fabrics to create a unique yet homely feel.

You’ll find a relaxed, informal atmosphere in which to enjoy beautifully prepared food. Open fireplaces and cosy corners. A meal at The Shireburn Arms is both comfortingly familiar and yet still a wonderfully special experience.

Our head chef has crafted a menu that pays homage to the region’s produce, as well as his talents, and features local specialities using the freshest ingredients. And, of course, you’ll be wanting something to drink. Our wine list has something to suit every palate and with a well stocked bar featuring a selection of the finest local ales, we’ll make sure you don’t go thirsty.

Dining both inside and outside on our beautiful south-facing terrace & gardens.

Stirk House Hotel

A luxurious large hotel in a rural setting in the shadow of Pendle Hill making it a convenient base from which to explore the Forest of Bowland, Ribble Valley and Yorkshire Dales.

The original Stirk House was built using stone from the nearby Sawley Abbey following the dissolution of the monasteries.

Converted to a hotel in the 1930s, it has has been welcoming guests ever since. Set in 22 acres of grounds with 33 guest rooms, Stirk House is conveniently located close to both the A59 and A65 main roads, which skirt the southern and eastern fringes of the Forest of Bowland.

With country walks direct from the hotel door and a fully licensed restaurant showcasing dishes which draw inspiration from produce raised in the surrounding countryside, Stirk House is an excellent base from which to explore the Forest of Bowland on foot or by bike.

The Assheton Arms

The Assheton Arms is perched on a hill looking over the picture postcard village of Downham in Lancashire’s beautiful Forest of Bowland. This renowned country inn is open all day every day during the summer months for drinks, light snacks, fine dining and elegant accommodation.

Expect a warm welcome from the friendly staff at this much-loved local institution which has all the features you’d expect from a traditional country inn: flagstone floors, exposed beams, cosy nooks and crannies hearty food and well-kept cask ales.

The extensive menu caters to all tastes – from sandwiches and light snacks to fine dining featuring the very best local Lancashire produce.

The views from the sunny, south-facing terrace across the rooftops of Downham across the verdant pastureland to the imposing outline of Pendle – the most iconic hill in Lancashire. A short, but challenging walk takes you to the summit of this famous hill in around 90 minutes.

And for those who find themselves wanting to linger longer, ‘The Ash’ has 12 elegant and individually styled bedrooms – perfect for an indulgent short break or impromptu night away.

The Coach and Horses

The Coach and Horses is a traditional coaching inn, set in the idyllic village of Bolton by Bowland in the heart of the Ribble Valley.

Newly restored to its original glory, this Grade II listed building includes a cosy bar and elegant restaurant plus an onsite micro brewery.

Let our chef take your taste buds on a journey with new and exciting dishes served alongside pub classics done right. The menu is varied, using ingredients of the season, locally sourced where possible.

We have seven beautifully created bedrooms, each bedroom is unique, decorated in a style befitting a traditional coaching inn.

The Coach and Horses is ideally located for exploration of the Forest of Bowland, Pendle Hill and Gisburn Forest, with miles of public footpaths on it’s doorstep.

The Courtyard Dairy

The finest cheese – delivered to your door. It’s no wonder The Daily Telegraph lists The Courtyard Dairy as one of the Top 10 Cheese Shops in the World. The Courtyard Dairy is a truly special cheese maturer and shop. Housed in a thick-walled, old Yorkshire Dales barn it is a cool and humid shop where cheeses are piled high; perfect for ageing cheese. Owned by Andy and Kathy Swinscoe, who have a background working for some of Europe’s finest cheesemongers and affineurs (from London to Lyon), The Courtyard Dairy’s ethos is to only sell and champion truly special cheese. Only stocking 30 selected cheeses, all the cheese are made very traditionally on farms, most are unpasteurised. They are all hand-selected and chosen at the farm before being aged to perfection, you’ll get to try and sample some truly unique and unheard of cheeses.

The excellence of this shop dedicated to championing and keeping alive farmhouse cheese has not gone unnoticed: winners of multiple awards including: Cheesemonger of the Year (World Cheese Awards 2013), ‘Food Shop of the Year’ (Farm Shop & Deli Awards 2020), BBC Food & Farming Awards. It has already become a renowned destination cheesemongers, as regulars and visitors have the opportunity to sample and purchase some of the finest cheese to be found, and now you can have these very fine cheeses delivered direct to your door.

Cheesemonger of the Year (World Cheese Awards 2013 and Farm Shop & Deli Awards 2020), Food Retailer of the Year 2020

The Emporium

Housed in an imposing former chapel in the heart of town, The Emporium is a unique setting of unique interior design and delicious food. Whether it’s a latte or a lunchtime glass of fizz, this elegant old building has been lavishly converted to create three glorious floors of eating, drinking and shopping. Pop in for a coffee and freshly baked pastries, meet friends for lunch, toast a successful shopping trip with a cheeky afternoon glass of fizz or step out in style for a special celebration dinner.

The Fleece Inn

The Fleece Inn is a traditional country inn, situated in the idyllic and historic village of Dolphinholme, near Lancaster.

With its stylish charm, our traditional English Inn offers a wonderful and relaxing location for you to drink, eat and sleep in the heart of the beautiful, Lancashire countryside.

Being in the extremely privileged location that it is, The Fleece sits right on the doorstep of the Forest of Bowland National Landscape and just 7 miles from the wonderfully historic city of Lancaster centre.

If you choose to venture a little further afield, you could take a scenic drive (just over 20 miles) and immerse yourself in the rolling hills and tranquil valleys of The Yorkshire Dales National Park, or head just 30 minutes north and you’ll be touching the southern edge of Cumbria’s wonderful Lake District.

At The Fleece Inn, you can enjoy some of the finest local produce, cooked to a very high standard by talented Head Chef, Ian Manning and his team. Honest food with a minimum of fuss – alongside always popular pub classics, you’ll find an exciting selection of international themed dishes, as well as a good choice of vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options.

Of course, the bar at The Fleece Inn is well-stocked with top quality, locally brewed beers, as well as a fine selection of wines supplied by award-winning fine wine merchants, D Byrne & Co, Clitheroe. A warm welcome awaits at The Fleece Inn, visit us soon.

Enjoy the wonderful peace and tranquility of the Forest of Bowland wit a stay at The Fleece Inn. All our rooms (9 Classic and 3 Superior) are beautifully furnished, to a very high standard, with thick wool carpets and exposed oak beams, antique furniture and tasteful fabrics. The bathrooms are all exquisitely finished in Lakeland stone, with both bath and walk in shower provided.

The Rewilding

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. I’m one of the lucky ones who experienced life pre-mobile phones and computers.

“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 the Rewilding, 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, The Rewilding 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.

The Traddock

A luxury country house hotel in the pretty village of Austwick on the border between the Forest of Bowland and the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The Traddock Hotel is a small country house hotel in the village of Austwick on the edge of the Forest of Bowland and the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The hotel offers award winning 5 star comfort and service with top quality cooking, warm hospitality and a relaxing and homely place to rest and recharge. Offering 14 luxurious rooms or suites, all individually decorated in a comfortable and homely style, with modern bathrooms, most with roll-top baths.

Local producers are key to the menus in the three AA Rosette restaurant where head chef Ryan Shilton and the team offer both a brasserie menu and an 11-course tasting menu at supper. As well as two dining rooms, there are a trio of lounges for afternoon tea, a bar and a glorious walled garden to relax in.

The owners strongly believe in minimising their impact on the environment and have ethical and recycling policies that reduce our impact and help the local community, winning Green Tourism Gold Accreditation.

Waddington Arms

Located beside an ancient stone bridge over a babbling brook at the heart of the picture postcard village of Waddington, the Waddington Arms is the hub of this vibrant little community. It’s the perfect place to eat, drink, relax and catch up with friends. Come rain or shine, the ‘Waddy’ is the ideal venue for celebrations large and small. Sit outside in the sunshine on the terrace or beer garden or cosy up inside in front of a roaring wood fire.

Our varied menus are available for lunch and dinner every day and feature everything from light bites to spectacular Sunday roasts with all the trimmings. Six beautiful bedrooms provide a cosy base for exploring the Ribble Valley, Forest of Bowland, Yorkshire Dales and even the Lake District – all of which are within easy reach.

We are dog friendly too!