The small hills and dips which give the Bowland fells their distinctive character are largely the result of glacial action which smoothed out the landscape around 8000 BC. The highest point on the estate is at Ward’s Stone, which at 561m is also the highest point in Lancashire.

The soil on the upper slopes is raw peat, a medium which is both coarse and highly acidic. Lower down there are areas of natural grassland, and in some low-lying areas some areas have proven suitable for some small-scale pastoral farming. This is especially so to the north side of the estate on Littledale Fell.

Today there is a great deal of Open Access Land at Abbeystead meaning it is available for everyone who enjoys walking in the fells. For more information choose 'Access' from the list on the left.