Get Closer to Nature

Alternative Adventure and Outdoor Activities Service

We deliver professionally run outdoor education and outdoor pursuits activities for the widest possible range of groups. Venues used are around the Lancashire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester area. This includes corporate events, management groups, Over 50’s clubs, hen parties, stag parties, adult and junior birthday parties, fun days for family groups, primary schools, junior schools and secondary schools, pupil referral units, special needs organisations, further education and sixth form colleges and youth groups.

Our activities include Rock Climbing, Forest Schools, Open Canoeing, Orienteering, Abseiling, Archery, Gorge Walking, Caving, Mobile Climbing Walls, Problem Solving Exercises, Mountain Biking, Sea Cliff Traversing, Team Building Exercises, Kayak Canoeing, Mountain Walks, Winter Skills, Navigation, Raft Building and more.

We deliver qualification courses from a number of National Governing Bodies.

Bowland Wild Boar Park

Nestling beside the River Hodder in a remote valley beneath the rugged ridgeline of the Bleasdale Fells, Bowland Wild Boar Park maintains a tradition dating back to the middle ages – along with a host of fun activities for the whole family.

The Wild Boar was a fearsome creature which once roamed wild across the ancient Forest of Bowland – inspiring fear and reverence among local foresters in equal measure.

Today, wild boar continue to flourish in the Forest of Bowland, but only within the confines of one of the Forest of Bowland’s most popular – and sustainable – visitor attractions. And as well as nurturing the Forest’s only remaining population of wild boar, the park is home to a whole host of fascinating animals – from owls and deer to ostriches and meerkats.

Located between the pretty farming village of Chipping and the ancient hamlet of Whitewell, the Wild Boar Park lies at the heart of an especially scenic corner of the National Landscape known known as ‘Little Bowland’.

As the name suggests, visitors can expect to get up close and personal with the area’s population of wild boar – and usually a handful of super-cute stripey boarlets – but the park’s other residents are equally engaging – especially for children.

Alongside traditional farm animals like rare breed sheep, goats, pigs, chickens and ducks, visitors can also see native species like red deer and rabbits. In addition, the park has a whole menagerie of altogether more exotic species, ranging from the perennially popular meerkat family, to emus and ostriches, alpacas and llamas. Some of these animals can be hand-fed and petted at certain times of day – check the website for details as timings vary.

The park also has an adventure playground and zipwire, tractor and trailer rides and signposted short wildlife walks suitable for the whole family. And after a busy morning getting to know all manner of furry and feathered friends, why not adjourn to the café for hot and cold snack? There’s indoor and outdoor seating and a separate ice cream parlour for those long hot days of summer.

We also have our Rare Breed meat sales in the shop. Indoor activities come rain or shine in the Barn and Education Centre next to the Playground.*

• Ice Cream Parlour and Café serving homemade food (Take away only)
• Barrel, Tractor and Trailer rides *
• Lamb Feeding, Chick Holding *
• Tank Experience
• See Llamas, Red Deer, Ostriches and lots more!
• Camping pods
• Mobility scooter/Tramper available to book

The park is open weekends and midweek during peak season from 10.30am to 4.30pm and dogs on leads are welcome.

Brackenthwaite Holidays

A unique holiday experience on the edge of The Lake District.

Close to some of the most beautiful spots in England, Brackenthwaite Holidays is a location like no other. Totally unique, our 9-acre oasis is nestled in the heart of the Arnside and Silverdale National Landscape, on the gorgeous Northwest coastline.

With 4 beautiful and fully equipped properties to choose from, find yourself waking up surrounded by nature and with a feeling of endless possibility. With BBQs, wood burners and fire pits to set the outdoor scene, and with rolling hills as your vista, you will have everything you need onsite for a stay like no other. 

We are extremely dog friendly with an enclosed exercise area including balls, toys, and agility set. We also accommodate horses with 5 generous stables in the courtyard setting, plus a riding school area, field enclosures horse R&R plus a washing area should your horse need a quick shower.

There is plenty for everyone here: Silverdale has an amazing beach and Arnside’s cute village centre offers wonderfully picturesque views. If you want to explore the area, you will find superb walking and hiking available, set among some incredible natural beauty.

Slightly further afield you can access The Lake District, the historic City of Lancaster and the medieval market town of Kendal, but if it is relaxation you are after you may simply want to stay onsite and enjoy the comforts of all that is provided for you.

Farm on the Fell

Located in the Bowland Fells in Bleasdale, Farm on the Fell is a dairy farm that does dairy differently. They farm as naturally as possible, as they believe farming should work with nature and not against it.

The farm is home to a cow with calf dairy, where the cows get to rear their own calves from birth. The cows only ever eat a natural diet of pasture and forage for their entire lives. They are not fed any grain. Milk from cows fed a 100 per cent pasture diet has higher levels of desirable Omega 3, higher vitamin and mineral levels particularly vitamin A and E, and lower levels of undesirable omega 6
The milk from the cows is gently pasteurised and sold direct from the on farm milk vending machine, which also serves a range of milkshake flavours.

The delicious fresh milk is also used to make artisan gelato in their on farm processing room, which can enjoyed on the farm while taking in the spectacular views of this National Landscape. Customers can also enjoy their favourite flavours at home, with take home tubs available.

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.

Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat

The Lakehouse Retreat

Discover luxury off-grid accommodation in the heart of the Forest of Bowland wilderness. 

Nestled down it’s own a private lane, The Lakehouse Retreat offers a serene escape with its own private lake and woodland to explore, complete with hot tub, sauna and log burner facilities. Perfect for any occasion from family gatherings, to wedding accommodation or a tranquil getaway, it sleeps up to 7 guests.

The Longhouse

Ideal for large groups or individual rentals, The Longhouse is divided into three distinct accommodations:

The Hayloft: A romantic retreat for two, featuring panoramic views and a cozy wood burner.

The Farmhouse: Sleeps up to 8 guests, with a games room and a wood burner for a warm, inviting stay.

The Cottage: A charming accommodation that sleeps up to 5 guests, featuring a cozy living room and wood burner.

Amenities and Features:

– Dog-friendly accommodations

– Family-friendly with cots and highchairs available

– Hot tub and sauna facilities (Lakehouse Retreat)

– Wood burners in all properties for a cozy atmosphere

-Well-equipped kitchens

-BBQ’s and outside dinning areas to enjoy the stunning views.

Activities and Surroundings:

Set on 120 acres, Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat is perfect for walkers, cyclists, bird watchers and animals lovers alike. The local area boasts numerous excellent pubs and restaurants, providing a variety of dining options. With a wide range of activities nearby, it’s the perfect base to explore everything the Forest of Bowland has to offer!

Little Oakhurst Boutique Glamping

Do you desire a night of peace and quiet? Want to relax under the stars in your very own luxury glamping accommodation with a wood fired hot tub? If you do, then Little Oakhurst is the place for you. From the moment you arrive on the farm, you are made to feel part of the family.

Our glamping accommodation is tastefully decorated with scrumptious home-made Nana’s cake on arrival and fresh milk from the cows. You can kick off your shoes, light the fire and snuggle under the blankets. Each Yurt has its own luxury bathroom facilities, one with a roll top bath. So, throw open the doors and admire the view!

NaturesGems Tours

Experienced naturalist and active conservationist Gemma Wren leads small groups on bespoke nature tours of Morecambe Bay and its diverse range of habitats.

Owned and operated by practising environment consultant Gemma Wren, NaturesGems Tours offers immersive wildlife experiences in some of the county’s most nature-rich environments.

Most of Gemma’s tours take place within the Arnside and Silverdale National Landscape or Lake District National Park, exploring coastal, woodland and upland environments and observing the species which live there.

The half-day tours offer a taste of the National Landscape and its wildlife, visiting a number of local nature reserves and established wildlife-watching locations which vary according to the season and which species are likely to be in the area.

The full-day tours offer visitors an opportunity to really immerse themselves in the habitations of Arnside and Silverdale and chalk up an enviable list of rarities, including bittern, hen harrier and osprey, waders, warblers, otters and – in the summer months – rare butterflies and dragonflies and some spectacular orchids on the chalk grasslands of the National Landscape.

Your itinerary could include RSPB Leighton Moss, Foulshaw Moss, Whitbarrow Scar and Gaitbarrows and will involve a walk of around six miles. A picnic lunch of wholesome local produce is provided by local business Baba Ganoush, who use eco-friendly packaging and local ingredients for their tasty vegetarian lunches.

Everyone with an interest in nature is welcome, from beginners to the more experienced, but as they inevitably involve a significant amount of walking in hilly and sometimes rough terrain, they may not be suitable for those with mobility or health issues.

Gemma can also arrange bespoke tours for individuals and small groups and while she can cater for family groups by prior arrangement, the tours aren’t generally suitable for children under 10 years of age.

Most visitors bring their own binoculars or telescopes, but Gemma has a small number of high-quality optics which guests may borrow for the day.

“One of the beauties of the National Landscape is the sheer variety of species you find here in the National Landscape,” said Gemma. “We’re right on the intersection between the northern boundary of many southern species and the southern boundary of northern species and this part of Morecambe Bay has a sort of microclimate where all these species can co-exist.

“This unique environment – along with the huge seasonal changes which sweep across the Bay as the year unfolds – mean that no two trips are quite the same and there are usually one or two surprises along the way.”

Get in touch

Gemma’s website contains more information on NaturesGems tour schedule: www.naturesgemtours.co.uk. Or email Gemma on: naturesgemtours@gmail.com.

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.

RSPB Leighton Moss

Conveniently located just a 200m walk from Silverdale station, Leighton Moss is one of the RSPB’s most accessible reserves and home to a host of spectacular wildlife, from marsh harriers and ospreys to red deer and otters.

Conveniently located just a 200m walk from Silverdale station, Leighton Moss is one of the RSPB’s most accessible reserves and home to a host of spectacular wildlife, from marsh harriers and ospreys to red deer and otters.

RSPB Leighton Moss was established to protect one of Britain’s rarest and most elusive birds – the bittern – but since its inception in the 1960s, this huge expanse of wetlands and reedbeds has attracted a whole host of wonderful wildlife.

The bittern remains the star of the show – especially in spring, when males can be heard ‘booming’ from deep within the reedbeds from February onwards. This unearthly call is made by the bittern inflating its throat and the sound can carry for around three miles across the reserve.

Other spring migrants begin to arrive from early March, when the first warblers begin singing in the woodland, followed closely by sand martins, swallows and swifts and the majestic osprey – which looks set to breed at Leighton Moss in the next year or two.

And there’s much more to Leighton Moss than birdlife. The marshy wetlands are home to dozens of beautiful wildflowers, which in turn attract a host of insects and pollinators – including some colourful species of moths and butterfly and brightly jewelled damsel and dragon flies.

Remain stealthy as you wander along the footpaths and wooden walkways and you could also catch a glimpse of an otter or a deer in the quieter reaches of the reserve.

And in the winter months, Leighton Moss hosts one of the most enthralling natural spectacles viewable in the UK. As dusk descends over the reserve, tens of thousands of starlings gather in the skies above the reserve, wheeling and swirling back and forth across the setting sun as they prepare to roost in the reedbeds.

These murmurations can last for several minutes as the birds paint mesmerising patterns across the sky before suddenly diving en masse for the shelter of the reedbeds.

Leighton Moss comprises reedbeds, mudflats, coastal marsh and saltwater lagoons, all set against the shores of the nearby Morecambe Bay. The best vantage point to appreciate the different elements of the reserve is from the elevated skytower observation platform just a short walk from the visitor centre.

The RSPB has increased the size of the reedbeds in recent years, adding a further 200 hectares and they need to be extensively cut back in summer and winter to create ideal conditions for bearded tits, otters, bitterns and wintering wildfowl.

The mudflats and saltmarsh around Morecambe Bay support important wintering populations of oystercatchers and knots, as well as breeding redshanks and wintering wildfowl. The inner marshes are grazed by cattle to create suitable conditions for these birds and provide a mix of established trees and new growth throughout the year.

The limestone grassland and woodland surrounding the reserve are home to nationally important plants and insects, including the rare high brown and pearl-bordered fritillary butterflies.

The reserve has seven fully weatherproof birdwatching hides stretching over several miles of footpaths and walkways and the visitor centre has a shop selling bird foods, books and optics and a welcoming café offering hot and cold snacks and drinks, with some outdoor seating available.

The reserve is open year-round and hosts a busy schedule of wildlife events which are open to the public – check the website for details. RSPB Leighton Moss also has a Tramper all-terrain mobility scooter available for visitors for restricted mobility. Call the visitor centre at Leighton Moss on 01524 701601 to book the Tramper in advance.

The Gathering Fields

After returning to her childhood home, natural therapist Helen Leece established a centre for wellbeing and renewal high among the hills on the western fringe of the Forest of Bowland.

The Gathering Fields is a rural Retreat centre teaching Yoga, Meditation, Cookery and Wild medicine. The centre can be hired by companies and community groups and hosts a variety of retreats based around wellbeing in nature.

Standing some 140 metres above sea level, Swainshead Hall Farm, enjoys an elevated position offering amazing views of both the fells and the wide sweep of Morecambe Bay, with the hazy outline of the Lakeland Fells peeping over the northern horizon.

It’s a truly enchanting view that’s entirely in keeping with the aura that permeates this magical rural hideaway overlooking the upper Wyre Valley and the Ward Stone – the highest point in the Bowland Fells.

Helen returned to her family home – a working hill farm of some 280 aces – after a varied career which saw her qualify as a holistic therapist and practitioner of Ayurveda – an Indian-based holistic medical system incorporating diet, lifestyle and herbal medicine.

She immediately set about diversifying, converting the outbuildings into cosy bunkhouse accommodation and indoor and outdoor spaces for learning and discovery, which she christened ‘The Gathering Fields.’

“This little community has been a place where people have come together in friendship for centuries and we want to preserve those traditions,” said Helen. “The name the Gathering Fields seems to capture that instinct for like-minded people to share each others’ company in a relaxed and open setting.”

Ideal for extended families or informal friendship groups, community groups and charities, the Gathering Fields offers yoga, Sound relaxation, herbal foraging with a medicinal twist, Flower essence making or simply revelling in the glorious countryside on the doorstep.

Alongside the camping barn – which was once a cowshed – there’s also a paddock to pitch tents and a wonderfully expansive covered outdoor seating area complete with communal firepit to while away the evenings around the campfire.

A recently restored community pub is a shortish hike across the fields, while the ridgeline of surrounding hills can be reached on foot within an hour. The Gathering Fields also makes the perfect base for exploring the quiet roads and wild trails of Bowland on road, mountain or electric bikes.

“We encourage a ‘back to nature’ approach to stays on the farm,” said Helen. “But while it’s deliberately rustic, the camping barn has all mod cons, with hot and cold water, heating, toilets and indoor kitchen and plenty of room to dry out wet clothes and boots.

“Families love the sense of space and safety and seem to settle in and get comfortable in their surroundings very quickly. We know the surrounding area really well and can point guests in the direction of the best places to walk, cycle, explore – and enjoy a pint! We’ll even supply torches if they fancy a night hike.

“We welcome guests to share stories, skills, open fires, music, make friendships and from here we can bring people together to grow a community.”

Wild Bowland Walks

Guided Walks in the Forest of Bowland National Landscape

Quieter than the Yorkshire Dales, less commercialised than the Peak District and more compact than the Lake District, the Forest of Bowland is an oasis of tranquility where you’ll find room to breathe and space to think.

Just over an hour from Manchester and Leeds, the Forest of Bowland National Landscape is one of England’s last expanses of undiscovered upland landscape.

We run guided walks throughout the year, specialising in small family and friends’ groups who want to enjoy the views and the landscape without worrying about navigation in unfamiliar terrain. We can cater for all abilities, but we specialise in taking visitors into the heart of the Forest of Bowland on paths less travelled – heading off piste into access land to reach the hidden gems.

Along the way, we’ll show you the remarkable wildlife that makes its home in the Forest – including roe deer, brown hares, upland waders, merlin, peregrine and, of course, the iconic hen harrier – symbol of the area.

We have more than a decade’s experience in upland walking across the UK and for the last five years we have focused on the Forest of Bowland, where we are based. We have extensive experience of guiding small groups in the Forest of Bowland and across the northwest.

Principal guide Mark Sutcliffe is author of the Cicerone Guide to Walking in Lancashire and Short Walks. in the Ribble Valley and a former editor of both Country Walking and Lakeland Walker magazines. He is also a regular contributor to Countryfile magazine.

Drop us a line or give us a call to find out more and discuss your specific needs. We’ll be running a series of scheduled walks during 2025, so keep an eye on our social media channels for updates and booking details. Now booking bespoke walks and short breaks for spring 2024.

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.

Yealand Old School

Yealand Old School is located in the heart of the Arnside and Silverdale National Landscape which offers visitors an extensive range of footpaths and quiet lanes to explore, rich in wildlife and with stunning views across Morecambe Bay as well as towards the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District National Parks and The Forest of Bowland.

Recent redesign and refurbishment has created versatile self-catering accommodation suitable for groups, individuals and families.