The secret is out
Lancashire is a breath of fresh air when it comes to fun outside, says FIONA WHITTY
AS THE hill loomed ahead of me, I clicked the bike gears down a notch and prepared for a legquivering pedal. Then I remembered the magic button on my handlebars… and with a slick press I was propelled uphill with the thrust of a mini jet engine.
Welcome to the world of the e-bike, where gradients are defied with ease thanks to an onboard battery pack.
So you can choose to cycle unaided or turn the power up to help conquer those tricky inclines.
We were in the glorious Forest of Bowland – where Bradley Wiggins trained ahead of his Olympics and Tour de France triumphs.
This Lancashire forest is surely one of the UK’S most underrated gems, with scenery and charm to rival famous northern cousins such as Yorkshire and the Lake District.
And jumping on an e-bike is the perfect way to explore its quiet country lanes, pretty village tearooms, pubs and rivers.
Pre-lockdown, I’d taken husband Tim and kids Rosie and Abbe, both 14, and 11-year-old Freddie along to Ribble Valley E-bikes in Dunsop Bridge, which has the accolade of being the village closest to Britain’s geographical centre (ribblevalleye-bikes.co.uk).
In classic bad timing, owner Roger Wolstenholme started up the business just as Covid struck last year but managed to secure a buoyant trade once restrictions were lifted from visitors seeking fun and active ways to explore the great outdoors.
E-bikes can be hired for £24 for half a day or £40 for a full day. Child seats, trailers and pull-alongs are also available and bikes can be dropped at local campsites and
guest houses. Although the hire side is currently closed for lockdown, bike sales and repairs are still going ahead.
Roger explained how a full e-bike charge, which takes between four and six hours, lasts up to 60 miles depending on how much oomph you need.
Armed with a map and a 25-mile family-friendly route suggested by Roger, we pushed off, taking in the picturesque village of Slaidburn – great for a lunch stop at the Riverbank Tearooms – and Stocks Reservoir, where we had a cooling paddle. And the hills were a doddle.
We spent five nights in the grounds of the lovely Samlesbury Hall, a black-and-white timbered stately home dating back to 1325.
Tucked away on the outskirts of Preston, it’s home to a hamlet of quirky multi-coloured shepherds huts, arranged in clusters.
Our hut – shared between Tim, Freddie and me – was like a mini hotel room, with double-bed bunks in plush oak with proper mattresses and thick duvets, tea and coffee-making facilities, a plug and USB port and an en-suite with a shower and towels provided.
Rosie and Abbe had a wooden pod right next to us with two single beds. Outside we had our own fire pit – logs could be ordered – and a wooden table with benches.
We loved barbecues in the evening and treating ourselves to breakfast at Dottie’s Wafflery over at the hall in the morning; chef Maria’s waffles with warm berries, granola and natural yogurt have got to be the best wake-up ever.
It felt like we had all the best bits of both a hotel and campsite.
Half an hour’s drive away lay
Rivington, dubbed the Little Lake District thanks to its pretty reservoirs and rugged hills. With the sun beating down on us we stopped off at the Anderton Centre for water sports. Instructor Paul took us out on to the glistening Lower Rivington Reservoir for a sit-on kayak session, teaching us how to paddle most efficiently and make swift turns. Next up was a giant paddleboard. At 17ft long and 6ft wide it was big enough to carry all of us with ease. While I concentrated on rediscovering my under-used core muscles to stay standing up, the kids invented novel ways of flinging themselves in. Meanwhile, Paul concocted a daft game where we had to dip various body parts into the water at different times. I thought I was doing well until the “backside only” one forced me over the side. If you can’t beat them, join them, I suppose (andertoncentre.co.uk, one-hour guided kayak or stand-up sessions £12pp). Back on dry land we wandered over to the fantastic Go Ape course on the other side of the reservoir. Hidden away in woods, its Treetop Adventure features a thrilling free-fall Tarzan swing and a zip wire over water – the only Go Ape site to have one (goape.co.uk, from £28). Later at Samlesbury Hall we recovered with more of Maria’s amazing waffles at Dottie’s Wafflery. The eggs used in them come from the hall’s own hens while the Moo 2 You ice cream they’re served with – with flavours from Jaffa cake to Eton mess – is made courtesy of cows in the fields next door. Maria will add virtually any toppings you fancy. I adored her Extra Chocolate-y waffle with ice cream, sauce and sprinkles all paying homage to the brown stuff – and a splash of rum for an extra kick. Lancashire is packed with outdoor experiences as well as beautiful wide-open spaces. Keen to stay in the fresh air, we visited the alfresco cinema at Gisburne Park Pop Up to watch family favourite Jurassic Park. Last year, this huge private estate hosted a string of outdoor events, from picnics and concerts to the UK’S first socially-distanced festival (gisburneparkestate.co.uk for future events). To keep everyone spaced out, each party was allocated their own hexagon with outdoor furniture for up to six people provided. It created a lively atmosphere without us all feeling hemmed in. And while the dinosaurs roared, the sun set over Lancashire’s charm for another day.