This walk guides you through flower-rich meadows at Bell Sykes Farm.
These meadows are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of the wide variety of meadow species that they contain. This set of meadows is one of the most important in Lancashire due to the large number of fields all in one place. The best time to walk is from late May and June through to when the meadows are cut in late summer. You will be able to see a wide variety of species flowering, starting with meadow buttercup and yellow rattle, followed by hawkbits, meadow cranesbilll, meadowsweet, great burnet, meadow vetchling and knapweed. On a sunny day you will also see a huge number of insects, butterflies and feeding swallows.
The meadows at Bell Sykes are the Coronation Meadows for Lancashire, chosen for their species diversity and public access. Green hay harvested from these meadows has been used to restore over 50 hectares of meadow both here and in other parts of Bowland.
A great moorland walk with views all around the Stocks Reservoir near Gisburn Forest. The well made paths are easy to follow with few inclines and no stiles. This is an area where Curlews, Wheatear and Meadow Pipets and many other species may be found.
The scenery is mainly open moorland with the occasional conifer plantation, but it has a great away from it all feeling... a walk to recharge the batteries that's not too demanding and is simple to navigate.
To reach the car park, take the B6478 from SLAIDBURN, after 4 miles turn left at Stephen Moor crossroads, follow the road for a couple of miles, cross the causeway and the car park is straight ahead.
This walk links the unspoilt Bowland villages of Slaidburn and Newton, both crossing points of the River Hodder which heads west and south to join the River Ribble.
Thigh deep in the water a lone fisherman cast his line in the River Hodder while we strolled through green meadows beside the tranquil blue water linking Slaidburn and Newton. With two pretty villages, a couple of pubs and a great tearoom afterwards, what more could you wish?
