sedbergh, dent & the howgills...
The quiet market town of Sedbergh, nestling at the foot of the Howgills, is England's first Book Town offering a treasure trove of secondhand and collector's books, enhanced by two major book festivals every year.
Outside the main shopping area, the town is dominated by its prestigious public school, founded in 1525.
About the area
History & heritage
The historic development of Sedbergh in the Western Dales is linked to its position at the convergence of four valleys.
sedbergh history
sedbergh heritage
Art & culture
Sedbergh became a book town in 2003 and has craft centres, heritage centres and studios to visit whilst you enjoy your stay in Sedbergh.
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Natural environment
Sedbergh lies at the foot of the Howgills and at the hub of several valleys that converge near the town.
What's on
If you like markets and festivals then Sedbergh is place to visit, with a farmers market every month and a weekly market as well as fairs and festivals.
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Oddities
Sleepy elephant
The former chemist shop on Main Street, Sedbergh (now the Sleepy Elephant gift and book shop), is housed in a medieval building that was featured in the BBC production of ‘The House Detectives'. Bonnie Prince Charlie reputedly hid in a chimney here during his retreat north in 1745.
Dent Marble
Dent Marble is not a true marble but a richly fossiliferous limestone quarried at Stonehouse in upper Dentdale. A nearby ‘marble' works turned the raw stone into attractive fireplace surrounds, one of which was installed in the Winter Palace of the Tsar of Russia in 1843.
