The old Market Town of Sedbergh pronounced Sed-Ber), with its cobbled yards and unique atmosphere developed at a confluence of four valleys and four rivers where ancient trade routes merged. Its main industries through the centuries have been based around farming and the production of products from wool, with weaving and hand knitting being the main employment of the Sedbergh people.
In 2005 the decline of the town centre was arrested by the first fruits of the four-year project to make Sedbergh England's Book Town. A book town is a loose collective of businesses based around books and their production. The book shops of Sedbergh and district offer a treasure trove of collector's books for the enthusiast. In addition to the shops Sedbergh has established a Festival of Books and Drama which takes place in August to add to the many events already offered by this most energetic of communities.
Sedbergh is not only set in the western dales of the Yorkshire Dales National Park but is also close to the eastern fells of the Lake District about 5 miles east of junction 37 on the M6 motorway and about 10 miles from Kendal and the West Coast main line railway at Oxenhome Station.
For those who like to explore, the town has a variety of narrow lanes and small clusters of old buildings. There is a 12th century Norman church (restored in 1886) and, overlooking the town, is the site of Castlehaw, an ancient motte and bailey castle.
For the serious walker there are the Howgill Fells. The closest hill, Winder, can be reached by a walk of about 1½ miles and provides extensive panoramic views over the surrounding countryside from its 1550 ft (473 m) summit.
For those who prefer more level ground there is a variety of paths along the banks of the meandering River Rawthey and adjacent fields and woodland. |
