Bowmanstead

Settlement in Lancashire South Lakeland

England

Bowmanstead

Coniston village sign This road sign on the A593 was erected by Lancashire County Council, pre-dating the formation of Cumbria in 1974 which incorporated that part of Lancashire north of Morecambe Bay.
Located at Park Gate, the sign is unusually far from the village, being almost 1.6km (1 mile) south of the centre of Coniston. — Coniston village sign Credit: Adrian Taylor

Bowmanstead is a small town located in the picturesque county of Lancashire, England. Situated approximately 10 miles northeast of the city of Lancaster, it rests at the foothills of the stunning Bowland Fells. With a population of around 2,500 residents, Bowmanstead exudes a charming rural character.

The town's history dates back centuries, with evidence of human settlement dating back to the Neolithic period. Bowmanstead's rich history is reflected in its architecture, with beautiful buildings showcasing a mix of Tudor, Georgian, and Victorian styles. The centerpiece of the town is St. Mary's Church, a magnificent medieval structure that has stood for over 800 years.

Nature lovers are drawn to Bowmanstead thanks to its proximity to the breathtaking Forest of Bowland, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The town itself is surrounded by rolling green hills and offers numerous walking and cycling trails, allowing residents and visitors to immerse themselves in the tranquility of the countryside.

Despite its small size, Bowmanstead boasts a strong community spirit with various local events and festivals throughout the year. The town has a range of amenities including a primary school, a handful of shops, and a traditional pub. For further amenities, residents can easily access nearby Lancaster or the market town of Clitheroe.

In conclusion, Bowmanstead is a delightful rural town nestled in the scenic county of Lancashire. With its fascinating history, stunning natural surroundings, and strong sense of community, it offers a peaceful and idyllic lifestyle for its residents.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Bowmanstead Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.362376/-3.07648 or Grid Reference SD3096. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Coniston village sign

This road sign on the A593 was erected by Lancashire County Council, pre-dating the formation of Cumbria in 1974 which incorporated that part of Lancashire north of Morecambe Bay. Located at Park Gate, the sign is unusually far from the village, being almost 1.6km (1 mile) south of the centre of Coniston.

Adrian Taylor

Pasture south of Coniston

Park coppice behind and Grizedale Forest on the hills

Eirian Evans

Grazing near Coniston Park Coppice

Eirian Evans

The Coniston Branch near Park Gate

Now only used by walkers and sheep, this is the route of the former Furness Railway branch line from Foxfield to Coniston. The last passenger service ran on 4 October 1958 with a final enthusiasts’ special train on the 27 August 1961. The last freight train ran during the week ending 29 April 1962 and the track was lifted early in 1963.

Adrian Taylor

Roughly grassed field at Dixon Ground

Dixon Ground is an area of land lying west of Coniston. The view here is from the publicly accessible part of the Walna Scar Road which has risen from the village. The steep, broken slope beyond lies across Church Beck and rises ultimately to Wetherlam.

Trevor Littlewood

Irish Cottages, Coppermines Valley

Irish Cottages in the valley of Church Beck is a terrace of houses above Coniston; two of them together form a climbing hut of the Yorkshire Mountaineering Club. The gravel flats through the centre of the image are where the Church Beck flows and winds.

Trevor Littlewood

Road heading for Coppermines Valley

The valley is actually that of Church Beck but is popularly known as the Coppermines Valley because of the extensive disused mine workings there. The road is private but is used to access accommodation in the valley including houses, a youth hostel and two climbing club huts. The road is also a public footpath. Coniston Old Man is the mountain seen against the sky.

Trevor Littlewood

Have you paid and displayed?

The 'waste ground' here at the end of the publicly motorable stretch of the Walna Scar Road was for years accepted as a free car parking area for visitors and walkers, the photographer has used it a number of times in the past. Now, (early 2022), the Rydal estate levies a charge of £8 for all day parking! There are no facilities, no surfacing to the area, in fact no improvement to the space other than the embedding of a few logs to demarcate some spaces. As can be seen, at least one vehicle has even had to be parked with the driver's side of it including the driver's exit, in a flood!

Trevor Littlewood

Path on Big Hill

Steven Brown

Walna Scar Road

Steven Brown

Minor road near Coniston

Steven Brown

Irish Cottages, Coppermine Valley

In 2022, the foreground buildings, Irish Cottages, were the property of the Yorkshire Mountaineering Club. I am unsure of their status in January 1973 when this image was taken. Mine workings can be seen in the background.

Julian Paren