Once a small manor house, the earliest parts of The Inn at Whitewell date back to the 1300s, when it was home to Walter Urswick, keeper of the King’s Forest of Bowland.
We recently caught up with Charles Bowman, proud owner of The Inn at Whitewell, to find out about how he came to own the Inn, life in the Forest of Bowland, and his top tips for visiting The Inn at Whitewell.
Where it all began…
We asked Charles how he came to own this charming inn…
“The Inn has been in my family since 1976 and I’m the third generation of Bowman to be involved with the inn’s evolution. My father, Richard, was largely responsible for the restoration of the original building and my family’s passion for antiques and paintings can be seen throughout the Inn.”
“My father introduced me to this glorious valley in the same way that my grandfather introduced him, through fishing. Local keeper and wiley fisherman Joe Pie used to teach me how to fly fish when I was very young and he would tie a rod to my arm because I was too small to hold one properly. He also used to give me a cap full of cask strength whiskey when he had his, to warm me up!”
Being a Great Inn…
When asked what makes The Inn at Whitewell a Great Inn of Britain, Charles explains that “the Great Inns of Britain are renowned for their exceptional hospitality, seasonal menus and ensuring all our guests have an unforgettable stay.”
“Here at The Inn at Whitewell, our Head Chef, Jamie Cadman and his team produce brilliant, locally sourced dishes. We make our own bread, jams, chutney and homemade puddings and use beef, lamb and game in season from the Hodder Valley.”
“The hotel enjoys an abundance of character, from the moment you step through the front door, to sitting down in our bar, or relaxing in one of our twenty-five en-suite bedrooms, the charm and personality of The Inn at Whitewell is carried throughout this historic building.”
Top Tips of visiting The Inn at Whitewell…
If you’re planning a short getaway to The Inn at Whitewell, we asked Charles where he would recommend guests explore.
“Whether you stay with us just for the night or longer, you have to try an Inn at Whitewell favourite, kippers for breakfast. We source our kippers from an old smokehouse in Norfolk – they’re simply the best!”
“The best way to start your day is by exploring the area’s natural beauty by foot. There’s a magnitude of walks to suit all abilities, from full scale yomps across the moors to a relaxed meander through the valley.”
“For antique lovers, nearby towns have some fantastic antiques shops to spend the afternoon exploring. We recommend a visit to Driscolls Antiques in Clitheroe or Heathcote Antiques which is in Cross Hills.”
“Whether you’re a complete beginner or an angling expert, I’d certainly recommend you give fishing a try during your stay with us. The Inn has four rods on the Hodder which are available for trout, sea trout and salmon in season. We have approximately seven miles of river with 14 pools and lots of interesting runs.”
For more inspiration on how to spend your time in the Forest of Bowland, read our Inn at Whitewell Guidebook.
