Smelt Mill stands alone on the Trough Road, running through the Forest of Bowland from Lancaster to Dunsop Bridge. The term Forest refers to the former royal hunting grounds rather than woodland.

Within easy reach are a large number of visitor attractions, market towns and the Fylde coast.

 Natural History The Forest of Bowland is a wonderfully wild area of 310 sq. miles, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) (Hyperlink to FoB website)in 1964 and an area of Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on account of the heather moorland blanket bog which supports important populations of upland breeding birds including hen harriers, peregrine, red grouse, lesser black-backed gulls, merlin, golden plover and curlew. A birding tick list is available in Resources Area.

 Road Cycling The Forest of Bowland AONB is a spectacular area for biking enthusiasts of all levels with picturesque villages, charming tea rooms and a network of quiet lanes. Local e-bike hire is available in Dunsop Bridge.(hyperlink to ribble Valley e bikes) Further details in the Resources Area

 Mountain Biking The Salter Fell Track provides a local linear mountain biking route and the Gisburn Forest, just 10 miles away, has a wide range of purpose-made colour coded mountain bike trails with the shorter ones suitable for children and beginners. (hyperlink to Gisburn Forest website)

 Walking Smelt Mill sits within a huge area of open moorland although you would be well advised to choose your route carefully through the blanket bog! Footpaths, both to the North and South of Smelt Mill, provide the opportunities to venture deep into the more remote and little frequented areas of the surrounding Fells. More ideas for walks are in the resources area.

The telephone box in Dunsop Bridge, near the delightful PuddleDucks Tea Room has a sign claiming it to be located at the exact geographical centre of The British Isles and the installation by BT of its 100,000th payphone – unveiled in 1992 by Sir Ranulph Fiennes no less. To the South is the famous Inn at Whitewell frequented by The Queen when visiting her Duchy of Lancaster Estate. The nearest general store is in Slaidburn about 7 miles away. More ideas for places to visit are in the Resources Area.