CRL - Community Rail Lancashire

Rail-Linked Food and Arts Experiences in the Forest of Bowland

Working in partnership with the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, local bus operators and the established Eco Escapes initiative, Community Rail Lancashire aims to promote low-carbon travel options and immersive, place-based visitor experiences.

The focus is on strengthening connections between rail gateways, bus routes and active travel networks into Bowland, enabling visitors to explore the area without reliance on private cars. The project will develop two new curated Eco Escapes itineraries, providing practical visitor journey ideas linked to rail, bus, walking and cycling routes, alongside a mapped Local Produce, Arts and Crafts Trail.

The project will support a regenerative tourism model that delivers environmental, social and economic benefits to local communities. It will improve accessibility and inclusivity, develop authentic visitor experiences rooted in Bowland’s unique sense of place, and strengthen local pride, cultural heritage and distinctiveness.