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Sedbergh is a surprising mix of sassy and smart. Set among the rolling hills of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park, it’s one of England’s leading book towns, with a fine collection of new, second hand and collector’s bookshops. It has bags of olde worlde charm, its historic houses and cobbled streets the perfect complement to its extensive choice of speciality shops, and cafés, pubs and bistros serving locally sourced produce. Sedbergh is also the home of Farfield Mill, a former Victorian woollen mill which now contains gallery spaces, artists’ studios, power looms and handlooms set over four floors, displaying, and selling a range of contemporary craft, art, and jewellery, handcrafted and designed by artisan local producers in the Mill.
Its location at the foot of the Howgill fells make this a walker’s paradise and the perfect centre to base your explorations of both the dales and the Lake District. With some of the best mountain biking trails in the UK, fabulous walks on the doorstep, and a rich history of heritage and culture, Sedbergh is a destination not to be missed.
Sedbergh is a superb village with bags of character in which to try gorgeous homecooked food, whether it’s in a quaint little café, an old English pub or classy restaurant.
There’s also fantastic markets too: the weekly market is terrific, but the monthly Artisan market, held throughout the summer months, has built up such a high reputation it is now considered a ‘destination market.’ The cafes here are quite unique and each has something tempting to offer. One in particular is widely celebrated and has won many awards. Cafes range from the quaint and quirky to the more modern bistro feel, where food is inventive, superb quality and of restaurant standard -yet the prices are sensible. There’s a lovely welcoming atmosphere with the waft of homecooked fayre enticing you in to try dishes made with local ingredients and all cooked with care and attention.
Traditional pubs are worth a try too with well-kept local ales and that lovely warm and welcoming ambience with roaring log fires, which pubs do so well. Food is simple, with good choices of vegetarian and fish dishes and portion sizes are generous, which is always welcome after a day on the fells!
Another inn to try, a short drive from Sedbergh, is a brilliantly rustic, temperance inn. What’s that you say, no booze! Well fear not, you can take your own and enjoy a really high standard of proper northern food like steak & ale pie, while soaking in the views from your window of the Dales and the longest above ground waterfall in England. There’s also something of a gastropub come restaurant in Sedbergh, with pretty views. It’s a gem of a place offering superb Sunday lunches and mid-week meals and all are made with locally sourced ingredients.
Dent although smaller than Sedbergh has its fair share of quaint tea rooms with lots of rustic charm. All offering exquisite homemade cakes, from chocolate cake made with beer to heavenly carrot cake and fluffy scones with jam and cream. There’s also a very good range of different teas to try. More substantial homecooked meals are also offered, along with a glass of local ale and all round a roaring fire in winter.
The cafes here are family-owned, so you’re guaranteed a warm and friendly welcome. Or it’s an olde worlde pub you’re looking for, with great atmosphere, an open log fire and a great choice of local beers, there’s a couple of good pubs in the village to try. The food is good and wholesome, offering home-baked pies and other traditional pub food - and all great value too. The long-distance walk, Dales Way, takes you through Dent, so what better way to enjoy your walk than a stop in this charming little village with all it has to offer.
For more information on what Cumbria has to offer see Food and Drink
Sedbergh owes much of its development to its location at the convergence of four valleys formed by the rivers Lune, Rawthey, Clough (Garsdale) and Dee (Dentdale) – each serving as access and trade routes. The Romans followed the north-south axis of the Lune Valley, establishing forts at Borrowbridge (near Tebay) and Over Burrow (south of Kirkby Lonsdale) linked by a Roman road that runs on the line of Fair Mile and Howgill Lane.
Norse settlers arrived in the 10th century, penetrating up the valleys in search of suitable grazing grounds for their livestock. Their traditional longhouses, often sited next to watercourses, are the forebears of many of today's Dales farmhouses and can be identified by names ending in ‘thwaite' (‘clearing') or ‘scales' (‘summer dwelling').The name ‘Sedbergh' is derived from the Norse ‘Set Berg', meaning ‘flat-topped hill', a possible reference to the defensive structure at Castlehaw.
Sedbergh is mentioned in the Domesday Book so a settlement must have existed here before the Norman Conquest. On their arrival, the Norman barons established control by constructing a defensive motte and bailey at Castlehaw (SD 662 923), and later founded the two churches dedicated to St Andrew at Sedbergh and Dent.
By medieval times, Sedbergh was a well-established town; its reputation cemented by the founding of its famous public school in 1525. The school has produced many distinguished names over the years including Professor Adam Sedgwick, the father of modern geology, and Will Carling who captained the England rugby team 1988–1996.
The relative isolation of these valleys fostered a strong sense of independence in Dales folk, which during the 17th century turned to disillusionment with the established church. In 1652, George Fox, founder of the Quakers, came to Dentdale and Garsdale bringing the message that God could simply be found within you. His inspirational words struck a chord with the people of the Dales, so that when he arrived at Sedbergh, a receptive audience of over a thousand was waiting for his sermon on Firbank Fell – now known as Fox's Pulpit.
Dent - With its hilly cobbled main street and colour-washed cottages, Dent is a thoroughly charming village set in the beautiful valley of Dentdale. Adam Sedgwick is regarded as the father of modern geology. He was born in Dent at the Old Parsonage, the son of the local vicar. As a boy he attended the tiny grammar school in the churchyard before moving to Sedbergh School and then to Cambridge University. Dent is also home to the highest railway station in England.
Kirkby Lonsdale - Kirkby Lonsdale is in the beautiful valley of the River Lune on the fringes of both the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. A national winner of 'Britain in Bloom', the town has an excellent range of speciality shops and attractive 17th and 18th century inns. Kirkby Lonsdale's superb location has attracted many notable visitors.
Along this north–south line of weakness (formed 290 million years ago), the ancient Silurian rocks of the Howgills were uplifted over the younger limestones of the Pennines, producing a marked contrast between the steep-sided domed Howgills and the gentler flat topped fells of Garsdale and Dentdale. The Sedgwick Geological Trail along the Clough River crosses over the fault and explains the rock formations on either side
Kendal Rough Fell sheep were bred by local farmers to provide coarse, durable wool suitable for carpets and mattresses. They are generally only found in the Kendal–Sedbergh–Howgill area and are easily recognised by their horns, long white fleeces and distinctive speckled faces and legs. The sheep are grazed on the open fellsides, and are born with a ‘hefting’ instinct that ensures they do not stray far from their ‘home’ patch.
The railway came to Sedbergh in 1861 when the Ingleton Branch of the North Western Railway opened. It ran from Clapham past Sedbergh to join the Lancaster and Carlisle Railway (now part of the West Coast main line) at Lowgill (south of Tebay). The branch line ceased carrying passengers in 1954 and closed in 1967. At the upper end of Dentdale is the Settle to Carlisle Railway, a great feat of Victorian engineering that forges a level route through the Pennine hills over high arching viaducts and through deep tunnels
In 2006, Sedbergh became England’s official Book Town, one of only three in the United Kingdom (the others being Hay-on-Wye in Wales and Wigtown in Scotland). The venture has attracted many secondhand book dealers and generated two major festivals and other events in the town.
The Cross Keys Inn near Cautley Spout was willed to the National Trust in the 1940s, on condition that it never served alcohol (though you can bring your own), having been Temperance since the early 1900s. Its traditional ambience of stone-flagged floors, comfy armchairs, antique furnishings and good home cooking more than compensates for the absence of liquor!
The former chemist shop on Main Street is housed in a medieval building that was featured in the BBC production of ‘The House Detectives’. Bonnie Prince Charlie reputedly hid in a chimney here during his retreat north in 1745.
I do not know a place more naturally divine
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Sedbergh
Become a Weaver Workshop with Jan Beadle
Thursday 10 & Friday 11 April 10am – 4pm
£150 plus £5 on the day for materials
If you know the basics, maybe set up your own loom and woven some patterns or have never done any weaving before and would love…
Kirkby Lonsdale, Carnforth
Woodclose Park is situated in the beautiful valley of the River Lune, right on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and within easy reach of the Lake District. It's a peaceful and tranquil holiday park, offering guests an escape from the hustle and…
Kirkby Stephen
The Byre is one of three luxurious cottages sitting within a large converted Victorian barn at the foot of the Howgill Fells at The Green Cumbria. Super stylish barn conversion, idyllic rural location, dogs welcome, enclosed garden, wood-burner,…
Sedbergh
Each summer at ArtyBird, we film our Creative Textile suite of courses. Soon my shell became the focus and star of them – surprising us on how inspiring just one shell can be.
This is a special shell, one that my husband brought me back from his…
Sedbergh
The Graduation Show of the ArtyBird Carnforth Fellowship group who are intertwined through strong, supportive bonds of friendship and shared creativity. The exhibition reflects individuality within the cohesive group.
Farfield Mill is open Wednesday…
Sedbergh
Howgills House offers group accommodation with luxury touches. With 12 en-suite bedrooms sleeping up to 28 guests we're the perfect place for family celebrations and coprotate stays. Voted among the Times top 20 celebration houses, why not come and…
Kirkby Lonsdale
Booths is a family owned and operated independent supermarket with over 160 years tradition of quality food & drink retailing. We develop strong relationships with the best local suppliers and we are passionate about giving our customers a taste of…
Sedbergh
Exploring Techniques in Woven Tapestry Workshop with Anna Wetherell
Saturday 1 March 2025 10am – 4pm
£65 plus £5 for materials
The Heallreaf tapestries are inspirational! We will have a look round the exhibition and see how the weavers have used…
Kirkby Lonsdale
A warm hearted 17thC inn set in the heart of the beautiful market town of Kirkby Lonsdale overlooking St Mary's church. You can walk within minutes to Devils Bridge, Ruskins View and the Lune Valley.
Cumbria
The course of the River Rawthey is followed closely by two routes. The A683 crosses it from Sedbergh then follows its eastern side over its watershed to head northeast to Kirkby Stephen. On its western side is an old bridleway which links the farms…
3-5 Market St, Kirkby Lonsdale
A Warm, Friendly and Comfortable welcome awaits you at the Copper Kettle Bed & Breakfast Guest house, located in the beautiful town of Kirkby Lonsdale, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dakes.
Sedbergh
Hook a Hen Workshop with Jane Cook
Saturday 22 March 2025 10am - 4pm
£65
Create your very own Trivet or wall hanging, choose your own colour palette, traditional hues or avant-garde, make a wider border to create a pad or seat cushion.
Recycle your…
Sedbergh
Make Your Own Ceramic Tea Light House Workshop with Lydia Crampton
Thursday 27 February 10am - 4pm
£65 plus £5 on the day for materials and firing
Ever fancied having a go at making your own piece of work out of clay?
This pottery workshop will be…
SEDBERGH
Striking in its symmetry with its central round headed doorway between by matching round headed windows, Cautley Wesleyan chapel is a good example of its type and date.
Penrith
The next Cumbria Festival Chorus event is:
Cumbria Festival Chamber Choir
Conducted by Nicholas Hurndall Smith
CRUCIFIXION
John Stainer
Tenor: Nicholas Hurndall Smith
Bass: Terence Ayebare
Organist: John Seymour
At
The Church of St Lawrence, Crosby…
Sedbergh
Family run 17th Century Coaching Inn with Restaurant and Public Bar. 18 individual rooms, inspired by the surrounding landscape and decorated with locally crafted materials.
3-5 Market Street, Kirkby Lonsdale
Old world type restaurant serving home-made food.
Kirkby Stephen
6 Exclusive luxury log cabins on a beautiful seven acre private grounds, each with its own private outdoor hot tub, offering peace, tranquility and wonderful views, walking distance to three fantastic village pubs. National Park location.
20 St Lukes Rd, Kirkby Stephen
Enjoy an excellent introduction to the charms of the English Lake District on the official Cumbria Way Walking Holiday.
20 St Lukes Rd, Kirkby Stephen
Coast to Coast Packhorse is the only UK travel company specializing exclusively in Alfred Wainwright’s famous C2C Way. For nearly 30 years, we’ve helped walkers, runners, and cyclists plan unforgettable coast-to-coast holidays from our headquarters…
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