Bowland Scrapbook | Page 28

Some of the area has been subject
to TV fame, notably Downham as the
fictional village of Ormston for the
ITV series “Born and Bred”. The 1960s
film “Whistle Down the Wind” starring
Hayley Mills and several local children
was also shot on location in Downham.

ENJOYING
THE
COUNTRYSIDE
Several people we spoke to
mentioned the increased amount
of traffic in the villages and the
difficulty of parking but this has
been a long standing issue.

We spoke to
several groups
of cyclists in
of whom said
the café all
the same: “the
cycling in this
safe, challeng
area is
ing and pictur
esque”

ple come to
“Fewer peo
, the village
idburn now
Sla
d on
to be packe
e
green used
hildren in th
days with c
Sun
king”
eople picnic
river and p

The AONB is criss crossed with footp
aths
and bridleways, but back in the 60s
many
walkers did not get a welcome in our
fells.

Road cycling is increa
singly popular, partly
due to Olympic and Tou
r de France champion
Sir Bradley Wiggins say
ing that Bowland wa
s
his favoured training
ground.

Over the years there has been a
campaign to open up larger areas
of the countryside to allow more
people to have access to it.

Knowlmere Manor

Knowlmere Manor in
Newton was the settin
g for
the 1990s TV series “T
he Riff Raff Element”
.

The Ramblers Association has
been instrumental in campaigning
for the retention of footpaths and
establishing new routes.

s chosen
In 1978 Chipping wa
ior shots in
for some of the exter
Wuthering
the BBC mini-series of
rth had too
Heights, as Hawo
They also
many yellow lines!
Manor and
used Knowlmere
for some
Browsholme Hall
interior shots.

The Countryside and Rights of Way
Act in 2000 allowed anyone to walk
freely on “areas of moor, common,
mountain and heath land that
are mapped”, without needing to
restrict themselves to footpaths.

Things in Slaidb
urn have impr
oved since the
new car park w
as made!

One of the Clitheroe Ramblers, the late John
Whitehead was very active in campaigning
for access rights.

This has had an impact on some
areas of the AONB and walkers
are now a familiar sight in many
remote areas.

The AONB has been successful in opening up areas
of the countryside for disabled people by the purchase
of these Trampers, specially designed four-wheel
drive all-terrain electric buggies, which can be used
off road and even on rough ground, mud and grass.

access for all
Trampers enable

rsall, RSPB

Merlin © Chris Gome

It enables people who have difficulty walking, who
are less able or who may be disabled to experience
the countryside; and to accompany friends and family
when out walking.

CROW launch, 2004: the first walk
in open
country in the Hodder Valley after
the passing
of the Countryside and Rights of
Way Act.

The AONB is w
ell known for
its wildlife and
photographers
is a draw for
and birdwatch
ers. We spoke to
who visits thre
a photographer
e or four times
each week, usu
morning when
ally early in th
it’s quiet.
e

ar Cow Ark
Enjoying a picnic ne

Wuthering Heights

The Youth Hostel in Slaidburn has
been open since 1933.
We spoke to a lady in her late
60s from Bolton who is a volunteer
warden there and used to come to
the hostel when she was a teenager.
She would walk all the way from
Clitheroe!
Cyclists on the route from Lands
End to John o’ Groats often stay at the
YHA and say it is the nicest area they
go through on their way to Scotland.

This visitor from Aus

tralia liked the Wild Boa

Downham

Browsholme

Hall

r Park