You are here: Home > Explore Cumbria > Sedbergh
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

Number of results: 101
, currently showing 21 to 40.
Sedbergh
Tapestry of the North: Our Textile Heritage is an open, non-juried exhibition, hosted by the Northern region of the British Tapestry Group. The theme for the exhibition is Our Textile Heritage. This broad theme of textiles created in the North of…
Garsdale Rd, Sedbergh
£70 plus £5 for materials
Weave a small tapestry reflecting the colours of early Autumn, inspired by the surroundings of the Mill. We will take a short stroll down to the bridge (weather permitting), looking at the colours, textures and patterns…
Garsdale Rd, Sedbergh
Festive Farfield, running on the 8th/9th of November; an opportunity to see 15 different artists in their studios. Talk to the artists and watch how they make a wide range of exquisitely crafted works. This is a celebration of creativity. Enjoy the…
Garsdale Rd, Sedbergh
Meet some of the makers exhibiting as part of the British Tapestry Group, discover what inspires their work and the techniques they use.
The British Tapestry Group
The British Tapestry Group promotes and explores the concept of woven tapestry as a…
Sedbergh
Set in 5 acres, nestled at the bottom of the Howgills fells, our Barn provides group accommodation for up to 35 guests.
Enjoy the spacious open plan lounge with views on to the terrace with hot tub. Cook up a feast in one of the two self catering…
Garsdale Rd, Sedbergh
£70 plus £10 for materials
Spend a day with Nik creating some bespoke vases, tea lights, trinket bowls, plaques and or jewellery. Using some quirky yet effective techniques, Nik will guide you through the process of printing lace or nature into…
Ravenstonedale
The King's Head is a stunning Bar/ Restaurant/ Hotel based in Ravenstonedale in the Eden Valley. Built in the 16th Century, The King's Head is a Grade II listed building has been a landmark in this area for 5 Centuries.
Sedbergh
Family-run for four decades in a stylishly converted 16th century coaching inn. Our seasonal menu and drinks selection champions the best of local produce, with provenance and sustainability central to our approach to food.
Kirkby Stephen
Nestled in the Eden Valley surrounded by rolling countryside Pennine View Park is a touring and camping park, perfectly placed for walking, cycling and simply relaxing.
Garsdale Rd, Sedbergh
Winter Fibre Art Workshop with Wendy Ann Stanger
15 November
£70 plus £10 for materials on the day
Join Studio Artist Wendy Ann for an introduction to fibre art. Using a range of plant fibres such as linen, cotton, nettle, rose and bamboo, you will…
Sedbergh
Howgills Apartment 8 is a dog-friendly ground-floor apartment with french doors on to a terraced area with outdoor seating, ideal for a summer evening! The apartment offers an open-plan living space, with dining area and kitchen. This apartment has…
Cumbria
This figure of eight mountain bike route is the perfect introduction to Sedbergh and its surrounding fells and dales. It weaves in and out of the village edge and then ducks over to the neighbouring valley of Dentdale. It involves some road riding…
SEDBERGH
Brigflatts, near Sedbergh, Cumbria, is one of the most famous Quaker meeting houses, known and loved by Friends all over the world.
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
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
Howgills Apartment 9 is on the 2nd floor of our building and offers a split-level apartment with living, dining, and kitchen facilities downstairs and the bedrooms upstairs. Each bedroom has a wet room - which offers a shower, sink, and toilet.
Kirkby Lonsdale
Come and join us for The Royal Barn's Spooktoberfest!
Here's a little teaser of what we've got planned, with more details coming soon...
Fri 24th - DJ Reaper 8-10pm Sat 25th - Live Music From The "Black Cats" 8-10pm Sun 26th - Alberto's…
20 St Lukes Rd, Kirkby Stephen
Ride the legendary Coast to Coast cycling route, a 280km+ journey from St Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay, through some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes. With customizable itineraries, you choose your pace—whether a fast-paced 3-day challenge or a…
Kirkby Stephen
Waitby School is an extended and renovated 17thC schoolhouse standing proud on a breathtaking fell in the Eden Valley. The building has been fitted with 21stC luxuries for the ultimate retreat, including jacuzzi bath & under-floor heating.
Kirkby Stephen
Smardale is a gem of a nature reserve away from the hustle and bustle of the Lake District. Dogs on leads are welcome. Native cattle graze here.
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL