Читать книгу Walking in the Forest of Bowland and Pendle. 40 walks in Lancashire's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty онлайн

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In winter there are some fine spreads of snowdrops, but in spring bluebells carpet the woodland floor. The woodland, technically described as ‘ancient semi-natural’, has at least 30 abandoned charcoal hearths – circular platforms levelled out of the hillside. The clue to the wood’s previous usage as a provider of charcoal is in the many examples of multi-stemmed trees. Trees don’t grow like that naturally, and these have come up from stools (the base of the plant from which shoots grow) last coppiced 70–100 years ago to provide wood to make charcoal, and bark for tanning leather.

Plant life also includes primrose, opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage, wood speedwell, foxglove and many ferns. Pied flycatchers breed here regularly, and nuthatches and wood warblers have also been found in the woods. You may even hear the call of the woodcock at dusk.

Frosty morning on the Lune

Immediately over the footbridge, turn left, at a signpost, onto a concessionary path climbing into the woodland. This is clear enough throughout, and climbs free of the woodland to cross a high pasture before returning to the shade of trees, Burton Wood, and later descending to a riverside pasture. Here, the river makes a great loop southward, and this is the way to go, with the river eventually swinging back to a northerly direction. Note This great riverside loop is prone to flooding, and if this occurs you have no choice but to retrace your steps and come back another day.