Mag North loves being in Bowland during the spring-time months and this year's Festival Bowland events programme offers lots and lots of opportunities to explore this lovely area.
The well-established Garstang Walking Festival will be back between 5th and 14th May this year and you can get a taster of what's to come thanks to an online introduction on the evening of 22nd March.
History Hounds can enjoy a series of three walks focusing on famous Bowland visitors. So, if you want to find out more about Wainwright, Cromwell or Gandhi – and explore some beautiful places at the same time – sign up with All Routes North for their sessions in March, April and May.
Or what about popping into the Village institute in Hornby over the weekend of 15th and 16th April to enjoy a display of ceramics, art, silk paintings and carving from the Lune Valley and beyond? You'll be able to chat to the makers – and perhaps even treat yourself!
And wildlife enthusiasts can discover the underwater world of invertebrates and fish with the Wyre Rivers Trust's monitoring morning in Scorton on 13th April; explore the weird and wonderful world of earthworms online on the 27th April and seek out waders (and fingers crossed some chicks!) in Claughton-on-Brock with the RSPB on 28th.
The RSPB also have three, guided moorland safaris from Slaidburn starting on 21st April and repeated on 1st and 29th May.
Step back, take a breath and reconnect with your surroundings in Gisburn Forest on a forest bathing evening with Rewilding Outdoor Therapy on 28th April or book a Tramper to explore lovely Grizedale with Wyre Coast & Countryside Service on 29th.
If you want to get out and about but don't want to walk too far, there are regular short walks from Garstang on most Mondays, which don't need booking in advance – so you can make your mind up on the day.
For the keen walker, the Pendle Peat and Pie Challenge on 25th May offers a great (if muscle-testing) opportunity to find out more about one of Bowland's key habitats – peatlands; or why not become a Bee Walker and learn how to monitor bumblebees during the summer? All will be explained in a morning session at Gisburn Forest on 26th May.
Full details of all Festival Bowland events, including booking information, can be found HERE
Header Image: Picturesque Dunsop Bridge