Couple of days of complete countryside near Preston or Liverpool

[BigDahliaFan]

Any ideas of where to stay for proper countryside, only birds, maybe with a river, near Liverpool or Preston?? What area should I look at - thinking maybe Forest of Bowland....

The Inn at Whitewell is lovely, on the Trough of Bowland. The bit between Bolton and the m65, Wayoh? Reservoir has good walks round. Rivington. Crook of Lune, Silverdale. We often go up the M6 but go right, instead of left towards the lakes. There is a place referred to as the UKs Grand Canyon whose name escapes me, and there us also a good limestone pavement,something crags which us nice. Views from the top across to the sea. Nicky Nook is a nice walk up from Scorton. Most people go up then down, but carry on inland and you have the place to yourself.

Grand Canyon is High Cup Nick

Limestone pavement https://where2walk.co.uk/walk/limestone-pavements-over-orton-scars/

Liverpool - I'd be finding a North Wales bolthole. Try the Under The Thatch self-catering agency.

Preston, driving N into rural Lancs sounds a good plan.

Yes to Bowland, Silverdale is also something of a hidden gem with myriad paths, limestone pavements, coast with the wide expanse of Morecambe bay, and a good RSPB reserve.

I'd not heard of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HighCupp_Gill, we'll have to explore that. We've not been to the Howgill Fells area for ages.

I can't offer any recommendations of where to stay as these are day trips for us but concur that the Inn at Whitewell is good.

I second the Inn at whitewell and also the Assheton Arms near Pendle

Trough of Bowland, Silverdale / Arnside area, North Wales, just a mile inland from the coast and it so quiet

I was just about to recommend the Assheton Arms. It’s a lovely place to stay and so much beautiful scenery all around. Would also recommend a short drive from there to Bolton Abbey which is gorgeous for a day out walking.

I have lived in both Preston and Liverpool in the past. The first place that comes to mind near Preston is of course the Trough of Bowland as lots of people have already mentioned, but it's also really nice, in a completely different way, Over Wyre.
From Liverpool I would probably head to North Wales but there are some nice spots on the Wirral (I love Parkgate) and West Lancashire, Ormskirk type area, has some pretty villages too, if you want somewhere a bit less obvious.

We lived in the Ribble Valley for years, the Inn at Whitewell is fabulous, it’s superior to the Assheton Arms in Downham there are lots of great pubs and hotels in the area.

High Cup Nick is on a remote grouse moor in Upper Teasdale.

I’ve had dinner at the inn in whitewell and it was all fabulous. It’s been on my list to stay at so maybe….