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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.
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.
Did you know?
I do not know a place more naturally divine
Number of results: 83
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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
Another beautiful exhibition of Ruth's water colour and mixed media paintings. She continues her fascination with water, exploring how it moves, creating abstract patterns and catching the light.
Ruth qualified as a Graphic Designer at Leeds…
Cumbria
Winder might only be a small hill but its position directly behind Sedbergh gives it amazingly strong presence. Its wonderfully smooth flanks form a dramatic sculpted backdrop to the houses and lanes of Sedbergh making it feel like a proper mountain…
Sedbergh
This inaugural graduation exhibition of a three-year research course brings together a group of textile artists who, in partnership with their own skills and collegiate collaboration, extend and define their individual work.
Sedbergh
St Lukes Road, Kirkby Stephen
Package Holidays and Support Services for Wainwright's Coast to Coast Path plus bespoke Coast to Coast Cycle Routes and Packages from St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay.
Sedbergh
Drawell is a picturesque farm cottage nestling in the slopes of the Howgill Fells with spectacular views of the Lune valley. An ideal base for walking touring or cycling the Dales and Lake District.
Sedbergh
'Breath' is a solo exhibition of work by Dumfries and Galloway based, mixed media, abstract artist Maggie Ayres. Her practice focuses on texture, light and mark making regardless of the materials she uses. In 2019 Maggie started to consider the…
Sedbergh
The Tea Room at Farfield Mill serves a delicious range of food from soups, paninis, jacket potatoes, salads, and sandwiches for lunches to tasty cakes and traybakes for naughty treats. There is a 10% discount in the Tea Room for Art Pass Holders.
SEDBERGH
Situated in the beautiful valley of Dentdale, Cumbria yet within the boundary of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, this Grade II building was originally built as a meeting house by the Society of Friends in 1701.
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.
The Lake once supplied water to the Lancaster and Kendal Canal; The 37 acre lake is situated in picturesque countryside and provides excellent fishing
Kirkby Stephen
Beautiful Victorian house, on famous C2C Path. Stunning views, we offer 3 stylish rooms with fabulous ensuites and a warm welcome. Perfect base for many activities, guests can be assured of a relaxing stay. Our Home, Your Home, Lockholme!
Sedbergh
Local crafts and produce made by the stallholders
Kirkby Lonsdale
This 4 star self catering cottage is situated in the heart of the historic market town of Kirkby Lonsdale, sleeping 5, with a private sunny courtyard garden and parking space.
KIRKBY STEPHEN
Entered from the Market Square through handsome cloisters built in 1810, the parish church stands on the site of a Saxon church and contains many ancient relics.
Kirkby Lonsdale
Treetops is a one bedroom self-catering apartment available for three, four or seven night stays. The apartment has a large open plan living area, fully equipped kitchen and bathroom. There is a sofa bed in lounge area. To the exterior is a private…
Sedbergh
Exploring the connection between landscape, people and place Cas collects found materials as she goes. marks are then created which combine cloth, paint and stitch with a disregard of the divisions of medium usage and application that often define…
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.
Sedbergh
Ruth's work is inspired by our most precious resource, water. It is the driving force of nature and has the power to transform our landscape. Beautiful rivers, streams, lakes, and seas absorbing, reflecting, and refracting sunlight creating…
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