Sedbergh, Dentdale and a lesser known corner of the Yorkshire Dales
Nestling between the Pennines to the east and the Howgill fells to the west, is Dentdale on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Dentdale is notable for having the highest train station in the country (actually in Cowgill, 4 miles from Dent village!), one of the stops on the famous Settle-Carlisle railway.
The village of Dent is steeped in history, from its cobbled streets to its twelfth century church with altar flagstones made from lustrous black Dent marble. It was home to geologist Adam Sedgwick who is said to have discovered the Dent Fault. One of Dent’s claims to fame were the Terrible Knitters of Dent – see the blog to find out more!
Today’s Dent is a peaceful, calm place, with lovely surprises tucked away such as Lucy Sandys-Clarke’s blacksmith’s forge and the church.
Cautley Spout waterfall can be seen from the A683, set against the Howgill Fells just outside Sedbergh. It's only when you get closer, you realise that it's actually a series of narrow waterfalls, tumbling about 650 feet.
Nowadays Cautley Spout acts as a magnet for visitors seeking a short walk that justifies a trip to the pub afterwards. Even the pub is a little different: the Cross Keys is a temperance inn so doesn’t sell alcohol!
Sedbergh stands between the Lakes and Dales, small but perfectly formed. Known as England's Book Town, it has many second-hand bookshops to browse in as well as several great cafés and other independent shops. Within Westwoods alone there are around 70,000 books to choose from. Several of the cafes also sell books.
Just down the road from Sedbergh, is the restored Victorian woollen mill, Farfield Mill Arts, Crafts and Heritage Centre. It’s a hive of creativity with a gallery, artists’ workshops, café, and regular creative craft demonstrations.
Discover more of Sedbergh, Dentdale and surrounding area
