The Dr Doolittle Walk - CANCELLED

The Forest of Bowland was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1964.  The AONB covers much of north-east Lancashire, with a small part in North Yorkshire.  The name "forest" is used in its traditional sense of "royal hunting ground" and there are plenty of pheasants, grouse and other game birds to be seen.  This series of walks aims to explore the area.

On this walk, we'll set off from the pretty village of Calder Vale and follow the River Calder through woodland as we climb out of the village towards Hazelhurst Fell.  We'll skirt the bottom of the fell rather than going up it, and we'll then turn south as we head towards Beacon Country Park.  Passing through some more pretty woodland en-route, we'll then climb Beacon Fell, which may not be particularly high at 266m but does offer some stunning views of the surrounding Bowland hills.  We'll stop for lunch on Beacon Fell before descending towards the River Brock.  On our journey northwards back towards Calder Vale, we'll stop at the tearoom at Cobble Hey Farm, home to many rare breeds of farm animals.  From there, it's just a short walk back to our start point.

In case you're wondering why this walk is called the 'Dr Doolittle Walk' it's because on the reccie I saw more animals than I've ever seen on a walk before, including:

- A family of ducks which joined me waddling along the path

- A whole host of chickens

- Pheasants and grouse

- Birds of prey, curlews and lapwings 

- Sheep and some very cute lambs (it was lambing season)

- Some very big pigs

- And even some Highland Cattle!

See what you can spot!