Lancashire is often considered to be a county of industrial towns and dark satanic mills, but it may surprise some to learn that 80% of the county is made up of rural land. This includes the Forest of Bowland which is an area of outstanding natural beauty that is designated as a National Landscape.

The Forest of Bowland is an area rich in heritage. It was established as a royal hunting forest in the medieval period. The term ‘forest’ refers to the hunting rights rather than a large expanse of woodland and there were two royal forests in Lancashire, Bowland and Rossendale. There were also four other hunting forests belonging to the earldom of Lancaster at Bleasdale, Quernmore, Wyresdale and Pendle. Hunting in these areas was traditionally for deer and wild boar, together with rabbits, foxes, hares, pheasants, and partridges.

Covering an area of 280 square miles of rural Lancashire, the Forest of Bowland is a stronghold of the Hen Harrier, one of England's most iconic birds of prey. For many years it has been the most important area for breeding in the country. Last year alone there were seven successful nests which fledged a total of 32 young. The National Landscape Partnership continues to work with local partners such as the RSPB to protect the Hen Harrier in this spectacular area of rural Lancashire.

Lancashire County Council is leading the Lancashire Nature Recovery Strategy to help the environment in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss.