The famous market town of Sedbergh, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, is steeped in fascinating history. Developed at the confluence of four rivers, where ancient trade routes once merged, it sits within the Yorkshire Dales National Park, at the foot of the splendid Howgill Fells.
“The Howgill Fells ….. are sleek and smooth, looking, from a distance, like velvet curtains in sunlight, like silken drapes at sunset; they are steep-sided but gently domed, and beautiful in a way that few hilly areas are …… The compactness of the group is emphasised by a remarkable concentration of summits, often likened to a huddle of squatting elephants …..”
Alfred Wainwright
Their haunting beauty is a stunning backdrop to the town, whose market has congregated since the 13th century. Cobbled streets lead to historic houses and quaint cottages, with many linked to the wool industry that thrived in the Dales for centuries.
Sedbergh is a wonderful starting point for exploring the Howgills, the Western Dales, and the Lake District. However, it is best known for its prestigious school, founded in 1525. But that’s not all, Sedbergh is England’s Book Town and boasts a wealth of bookshops as well as a lively calendar of festivals and events throughout the year.
