Sedbergh and the Howgills

Located in the South Lakeland district of Cumbria and forming the northwest corner of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, this quiet area north of the River Rawthey is situated just a few miles from the busy M6 has much to offer the visitor.

Sedbergh

The largest town in the Dales National Park, Sedbergh (pronounced Sedber), nestles at the foot of the Howgill Fells. The Romans had previously colonized the area but it was not till later that Norsemen established the town. Henry III granted the town its market charter 1251, and a market is still held on Wednesdays.

Farming and the manufacture of hand knitted woollen garments formed much of the early industry in the area; today there is a greater reliance on tourism and retail.

Explore the Lake District National Park and the Yorkshire Dales.

Book Town Sedbergh

Sedbergh became one of Britains book towns in 2006, holding an annual Festival of Books and Drama in September with many literary and theatre events. There are now many bookshops in the town supplying a mixture of second hand, antiquarian, childrens, old and new books, covering every subject.

Sedbergh School

Rodger Lupton, a Provost of Eton, founded the famous public school in Sedbergh in 1525, becoming a grammar school in 1551. Not only has Sedbergh School has played a major part in the economic growth of the town, it has also produced some of the countries best rugby players and the renowned geologist Adam Sedgwick from nearby Dentdale.

The Howgills

The Howgill fells are of the same sandstone found around Coniston in the Lake District. Domed in shape, and covered with short grass and mosses a few stone outcrops occur, notably at Cautley Crag and Black Force. Unlike their neighbours in the Yorkshire Dales the Howgills have no drystone walls crossing them.

The Howgills form roughly an inverted triangular shape when viewed from Sedbergh, with Winder at its southern tip. The fells are of a uniform height with the valleys between deep and steep sided.