Sedbergh Tourist Information
The 600 metre Howgill Fells, defined by Alfred Wainwright as, “sleek and smooth and looking from the distance like velvet curtains in the sunlight” overlook the ancient town of Sedbergh. This is an area furnished by Nature for walking where one can stride the surrounding fells or saunter the level paths alongside the River Rauthey. For the more adventurous, there is the “Dales Way”, an 80 mile walk between Ilkley in Yorkshire and Bowness-on-Windermere, which, whenever practical, follows riverside trails. Sedbergh, pronounced “Sedber”, is England’s Book Town. This is a title awarded to a town whose varied enterprises are informally based around books and their production. Most of Sedbergh's retail outlets, including a good selection of bookshops, are accommodated along its narrow main street. A wide choice of activities for all ages is within a radius of 10 miles or so ranging from horse-riding, pony trekking, golf, historic houses and buildings, wild-life parks and working-farm visits. The Dales Highway stretches for 90 miles between Appleby in Cumbria's Eden Valley and Saltaire in West Yorkshire. It's a long distance walk regarded as one of the most scenic and pleasurable in the country with several miles passing across and over Wainwright's favourite Howgill Range of fells close to Cumbria's book town of Sedbergh and the village of Cautley. Here, in this section of the walk, there's a good range of overnight or longer stay bed and breakfast accommodations who are all equipped with facilities for the long distance walker. For route and local bus services information please visit the websites. Mountain Bikers and cyclists may purchase copies of routes from the very helpful Tourist Information Office in the town. The lakes and fells of the Cumbrian National Park are of course a huge attraction. Lake Windermere is the nearest and provides a popular passenger cruise service to Ambleside and Lakeside near Newby Bridge and the Aquarium of the Lakes. Sedbergh is “Niceville”. It is generous with its welcome to visitors and the comfortable good value accommodation is of a high standard. How to get there: By rail: By road: |
|
Attractions in and around Sedbergh |
Book Shops
Generally, the book shops of Sedbergh concentrate on providing second-hand, hard to find titles, although new publications and search facilities are available. Please note that shop opening times are varied. Information of this can be found from Dales and Lakes Book Centre open daily.
Phone 015396 20125
www.sedbergh.org.uk
Bookshops of Sedbergh Book Town
R.F.G. Hollett & Son. hollett@sedbergh.yourdemon.co.uk
Sandells Bookshop
Dales & Lakes Book Centre
Westwood Books
The Booksellers
Henry Wilson Books.
Sleepy Elephant
Bertrams Books & Music.
The Chair Workshop
www.chairworkshop.co.uk
Walking
Our introduction to Sedbergh highlights the towns’ position as a first class walking centre situated as it is within Cumbria but close to the Yorkshire Dales. All of the higher ground in this region affords stunning views from a wide choice of routes ranging from the simple to the strenuous. The destinations of Cautley Spout, The Calf, Wild Boar Fell, Winder and Arant Haw are high on the list of most favoured. Additionally, the free guided walks provided by Friends of the Settle to Carlisle Line are well worth joining. For full information and advice contact the Sedbergh Tourist Information Centre.
Cycling
Good access to tracks and trails. The tough 500 metre ascent to the ridge along the top of the Howgills and the gripping descents are regarded as the best Mountain Bike rides in the Country. The whole area around Sedbergh provides many trails over demanding terrain on which to test your skills and endurance. For the normal cyclist there are choices of circular routes on quiet roads and country lanes made for pleasurable family jaunts.
Fishing
Permits available from the 3 Peaks Shop in Sedbergh for angling on the rivers Rawthey, Clough and Lune. Killington Reservoir has trout and coarse fishing all year. Day permits from the Lock Keepers Cottage on the eastern shore. Good parking. Close to Junction 37 exit on the M6.
Sailing
Killington Sailing Club is an informal club in the SE Lake District - All classes and all abilities are welcome to cruise or race. Windsurfers are very welcome and use the lake throughout the year. Canoeists are also welcome.
A number of organizations use the lake, some of which hold races as well eg. Sedbergh School host the Northern Prep Schools Championship in the back half of June each year. The lake is shared amicably with shore side fishermen and a bird reserve on the West side.
www.k-s-a.info/
The Sedbergh Embroidery
The Embroidery is work by a dedicated local group who has created a canvas work panel depicting some of Sedberghs historic buildings. It is displayed in the Sedbergh Library. Work has begun on a second canvas.
Farfield Mill Arts and Heritage Centre
The Centre is about one mile from Sedbergh on the road to Garsdale. It previously operated as a successful spinning and weaving mill and has excellent displays of creative crafts by local artists. Demonstrations of weaving and a well documented history of the mills development. Gift shop, Gallery, Café.
www.farfieldmill.org
Dent Crafts Centre
The Centre is an 18th C. converted barn on the road between Sedbergh and Dent. Exhibitions by local artists and craftsmen of wooden toys, bird sculptures, silk flowers, original watercolours, pottery and ceramics. An enjoyable browse in nice surroundings. Refreshments, coffee, light meals may be taken either in the garden or next to a warm fire.
Brigflatts Quaker Meeting House
The Meeting House is two miles from Sedbergh on the road to Kirkby Lonsdale. It’s little more than 350 years since George Fox, the founder of the Quakers, preached to large congregations from the fellside of nearby Firbank.The building was erected in 1675 and is the oldest Meeting House in the North of England. Many original furnishings and well worth a visit.
Saint Gregorys Church
The privately built church has not been used as a place of worship since 1984. It is open to the public and contains the unusual stained glass windows portraying scenes from Nature as opposed to a religious content.
Sedbergh Golf Club
A nine hole course close to the rivers of Dee and Rawthey and overlooked by the Howgills. Good amenities of changing rooms with full facilities, bar, shop, ample parking.
Settle to Carlisle Railway
Construction of the 72 mile route was a huge feat of engineering. There are 20 major viaducts including the spectacular and much photographed 24 arch Ribblehead viaduct and 14 tunnels. Scheduled and charter diesel and steam hauled passenger trains operate on this wonderfully scenic track with stops at nearby Dent, Garsdale and Kirkby Stephen.
Holme Open Farm
A traditional working farm four miles from Sedbergh on the road to Kirkby Lonsdale. It provides open air family entertainment of conducted farm tours, a nature trail, remains of a Stone Age settlement, fishing and refreshments. Open April to October.
Food and Drink in Sedbergh |
Sedbergh Café
Free internet connection, wireless internet and disabled access.
www.thesedberghcafe.com
Taj Mahal Indian Restaurant & Takeaway
30a Main Street.
Ellie’s Bakery & Tearooms
Traditional and speciality bread, cakes and scones baked on premises. Home-made soup and sandwiches, tea, coffee, light meals and snacks.
57, Main Street.
Phone: 015396 21058
Swan Inn & Restaurant between Sedbergh and Kirkby Lonsdale.
An inn since 1580 serving excellent home cooked food amidst fine scenery and the comfort of log fires. Bookings advised for the appetizing Sunday Lunch.
Phone: 015242 76223