Journey to the centre of the kingdom

Browsholme Hall

The Parker family has been associated with the Forest of Bowland for more than five centuries and their family seat of historic Browsholme Hall is the oldest family home in continuous occupation in Lancashire.

Browsholme Hall is a magnificent Grade I listed Tudor Hall, displaying an eclectic collection of museum quality artefacts alongside a recently restored Eighteenth Century Tithe barn.

Set amid 600 acres of picturesque parkland, informal gardens and extensive woodland, Browsholme tells a social story of family and local history spanning some 500 years; its origins within the Forest of Bowland National Landscape and its interaction with the local and regional community.

The Parker family has been associated with the care and custodianship of this pretty corner of the Forest of Bowland for 16 generations and they continue to maintain their obligations to the area and preserve their ancestral legacy with pride.

The hall itself dates back to 1507, and despite numerous updates and alterations over the years, Browsholme boasts one of the finest surviving antiquarian interiors in England, displaying a vast collection of family treasured collected over five centuries ranging from the skull of a martyr thought to have been executed following the pilgrimage of grace, to bronze age swords, Roman glasswork and a comprehensive collection of oil paintings.

The grounds are a wildlife-rich natural oasis, comprising mature woodlands, ornamental lakes and acres of beautifully maintained formal and informal gardens.

Although it is still very much a family home, Browsholme is open to visitors on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the spring and summer months and also hosts special events, functions and bespoke weddings.

Opening Times

Guided Tours: Every Wednesday until October 26.

Tearoom and gardens: Wednesday 11am – 4pm until December 14.

Accommodation

Accommodation is also available within the estate grounds in a handful of cottages and eco-lodges – contact Browsholme for further details or visit the website.

Hartley’s Huts

Nestled in the heart of the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, this glamping pod is ideal for hikers and bikers who want a base more substantial than a tent and less fuss than a hotel. Want privacy with absolutely nobody else around? We can almost guarantee you won’t see a single person while you’re at the pod, so you can sit back and enjoy the stunning panoramic views that stretch for miles over the Dunsop and Ribble Valleys from the hot tub, champagne in hand, with nobody to disturb you. The pod is made out of a solid wood frame and boasts three sides of glass to fully take in the panoramic views.

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!

Puddleducks Tearooms

Puddleducks is a popular café and tearooms in the pretty little village of Dunsop at the heart of the Forest of Bowland.

Over the years, Puddleducks has become something of an institution in the Forest of Bowland – a popular destination with visitors and an essential hub for the local community.

Open six days a week from 10am – 4pm, we serve tea, coffee, cakes, breakfast and light snacks to an eclectic mix of walkers, cyclists, day-trippers and locals alike.

Conveniently located at the gateway to the famous Trough of Bowland, Puddeducks lies right next to the bridge over the River Dunsop overlooking a village green which is home to a gaggle of friendly ducks – hence the name!

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!

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.