Forest of Bowland to Heysham route

[M11rph]

I'll be staying near Longridge on the South-West edge of the Forest of Bowland soon, then heading to Heysham and the IoM ferry.

With a couple of hours spare I'm looking to avoid just sitting on the Motorway, but having never visited this area it's a bit of a guessing game, so I'm soliciting opinions on where I've got it wrong...

Something like this?


Thanks in advance.

[LB14]

That’s a decent route and the road from Slaidburn to Bentham is a cracker, over the tops and you won’t see many cars, at times you’ll feel like you’re on the roof of England.

Once you get to Bentham the road to Caton and beyond the M6 is pretty uneventful.

I was up Bentham way on Saturday heading in the opposite direction back down to Slaidburn …

[M11rph]

Thanks for the reply, nothing like getting some input from someone who's been there, much appreciated.

Love the photo, hopefully conditions will be good. I'll only be "tootling" along as I may still have some running in miles to do.

[Krikkit]

Perfect roads for running-in type miles, unless you've got a very small car the roads are a bit narrow to go full-attack, and often quite lumpy too.

Beautiful though.

[M11rph]

Krikkit said:

Perfect roads for running-in type miles, unless you've got a very small car the roads are a bit narrow to go full-attack, and often quite lumpy too.

Beautiful though.

That was what I was hoping for, enough to exercise the car and be fun. Full attack can wait until the IoM, conditions permitting.
Medium size car

[daqinggregg]

The Parkers Arms, in Newton, gets fairly decent reviews and has off road parking. Slaidburn is a picturesque village to have a wander around especially down by the river.

The road from Slaidburn to Bentham is an absolute belter, used a lot for night road rallying back in the day.

If you are willing to do a quick schlep up the M6 to J33 (not to sure on that) Scorton, then drive to Marshaw, on to Dunsop Bridge, you then have a cracking drive through the Through of Bowland and a more satisfying loop.

[M11rph]

Thanks for that daqin'

Looks good. Route 1 1hr40, Route 2 2hr20 so I can see how my time goes in the AM and stay flexible.

Many thanks.

[Scotter]

LB14 said:

That’s a decent route and the road from Slaidburn to Bentham is a cracker, over the tops and you won’t see many cars, at times you’ll feel like you’re on the roof of England.

Once you get to Bentham the road to Caton and beyond the M6 is pretty uneventful.

I was up Bentham way on Saturday heading in the opposite direction back down to Slaidburn …

That’s one to try,albeit in a far far inferior motor to your absolute stunner.
I’m in the ribble valley and getting a bit tired of my Hurst green loop so will give this one a go sometime.
Cheers for that.

[LayZ]

I live near here and have studied all the hoonable roads for years.

The A683 from Kirkby Lonsdale to Caton is being average speed camera'd at the moment, and will thus be ruined (bikers dying have done this). Swap this out for the B6254 Kirkby Lonsdale road, much less traffic and more fun.

/edit I wouldn't bother with your updated route via Garstang and around, not much to see and the roads are busy.

Edited by LayZ on Wednesday 10th May 17:37

[M11rph]

Many thanks, all the info is much appreciated.

Route 1 is looking favourite anyway due to some time constraints, but it's great to have some local input.

[Krikkit]

I would spin it out slightly to a 3rd route - go Longridge -> Hurst Green -> Whitewell -> Dunsop -> Newton, nicer roads.

[M11rph]

Many thanks. Still under 2 hours which is nice.
This or near offering. https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Longridge,+Prest...

[LightningBlue]

I’ve been meaning to do the Bentham to Longridge route again as had a great drive up there in a Scirocco GT on icy roads a few years ago. I wanted to try again when in coming home from the Yorkshire Dales last year but the road was closed at the time. Enjoy anyway!

[M11rph]

Thanks for the advice gents, had an absolutely lovely time amongst some wonderful scenery.

Between Slaidburn and Bentham...


...and the B6254 as a means to avoid the A653 was probably the best actual driving road, twisty enough that at the NSL it's fun. Thanks for that recommendation LayZ.

[velocemitch]

daqinggregg said:

The road from Slaidburn to Bentham is an absolute belter, used a lot for night road rallying back in the day.

If you are willing to do a quick schlep up the M6 to J33 (not to sure on that) Scorton, then drive to Marshaw, on to Dunsop Bridge, you then have a cracking drive through the Through of Bowland and a more satisfying loop.

When you say ‘back in the day’ did you mean last month!!!
It’s still going strong and those roads mentioned are still used.

[daqinggregg]

I assumed the format had died, I’m happy to know I was wrong.

Lived in Newton in Bowland in the mid 70’s, so did spectate and man checkpoints on occasions.

[velocemitch]

daqinggregg said:

I assumed the format had died, I’m happy to know I was wrong.

Lived in Newton in Bowland in the mid 70’s, so did spectate and man checkpoints on occasions.

Yes alive and well, especially in that area. Bowland Knotts, Lythe Fell and the Trough, flat out against the clock is still as tough as it ever was.

[horsemeatscandal]

I'm late to the game on this one but I recently drove from Bentham down to Waddington (as part of an M6-avoiding journey to stay in The Waddington Arms which was lovely) and it was a great drive. My favourite type of road and my favourite type of countryside. Not a dawdler in sight, in fact not many other cars out at all, even on a sunny bank holiday Sunday. Maybe we need to shut up and keep this one on the hush

Edit to add: there were some nice cars knocking about down that way. Plenty of fancy new stuff, vintage British and a lovely, white Evo TME. Also a gaggle of MX5s followed by an Abarth 124 interloper. Not sure if wealthy locals or if they were just visiting for the roads.

Edited by horsemeatscandal on Thursday 8th June 10:08