A Little About The Area...
Dentdale is an ideal base for those wishing to walk the numerous high or low paths along its 10 miles. These can be taken right from the door! The famous Dalesway is close by. In the heart of Dentdale lies the tiny village of Dent, untouched by the passage of time. The ancient parish church sits proudly in its centre and the narrow, cobbled street is lined with white walled cottages, a couple of pubs, the village store, cafes and a Heritage Centre.
Close to home, and providing a dramatic backdrop to the market town of Sedbergh is 'Winder' rising to 1552 feet and probably the most accessible of the Howgill peaks. Another nearby beautiful location is Cautley Spout where a walk from the road takes you to England's highest waterfall above ground. And if you're feeling really energetic, you can attempt the famous 'Three Peaks' namely Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-ghent.
Just a short ride away you can enjoy the 4.5 mile Waterfall Trail at nearby Ingleton.
For the avid cyclist, the National Cycleway passes through Dentdale as does the Lakes-Dales Loop.
For the motorist, north, east, south or west, you can’t go wrong, this is beautiful countryside surrounded by fells and river dales.
The famous Settle-Carlisle Railway runs through the head of the dale with the famous Ribblehead, Denthead and Arten Gill viaducts all nearby. Dent station being the highest mainline railway station in England and you can take a picturesque day trip to Carlisle from here.
For those who don’t wish to travel far, this is an awesome place to gain inspiration for artists, writers and photographers.
In Sedbergh, visit Farfield Mill, a restored Victorian Woollen Mill to see or indeed purchase beautiful textiles and craftwork. Call at Brigflatts, the oldest Quaker meeting house in the north, built in 1675 and retaining many of its original oak furnishings and simplicity or simply explore the book town's olde worlde charm with its narrow streets, historic houses and quaint yards.
Take an underground tour of Ingleborough Cave and discover a labyrinth of natural passages.
Star-gazing - Bring your Google Skymap and identify the stars; discover the Milky Way, planets and meteors in the dark unpolluted skies above us.
A few nearby towns and villages are:
- Dent – A delightful quaint village with cobbled streets and stone cottages. Superb nature trail and Heritage Museum.
- Sedbergh – Public school town nestled below the Howgills. England’s first book town, ideal for browsing through the bookshops.
- Hawes – Market town famous for Wensleydale cheeses, rope making and Dales Countryside Museum. A tourist honey-pot!
- Ingleton – Small town lying below Ingleborough (one of the famous Three Peaks). Labyrinth of caves and potholes to explore such as the spectacular Ingleborough cave. Also lovely circular walk which passes a series of dramatic waterfalls.
- Kirkby Lonsdale – A pretty bustling market town with boutique shops, cafés and the stunning ‘Ruskin’s View’ riverside walk.
- Kendal – Largest town in the region and popular hub for shoppers. Gateway to the Lakes with fine museums and an Arts Centre.
- Events (from October 23')
- 11th Oct- 20th Dec - 'Monolith' Exibition, Farfield Mill
- 11th Oct (every Wed) - Market, Sedbergh
- 18th Oct - Coffee Morning, Christian Aid, St. Andrew's Sedbergh
- 20th Oct - Concert, 'Grievious Bodily Harmony', Barbon Village Hall
- 21st Oct - 'Waterfall Walk', Cautley Spout
- 21st Oct - 'Apple Juicing Day', People's Hall, Sedbergh
- 28th Oct - Environmental Market, Sedbergh
- 29th Oct - Howgill Fells Walk, Sedbergh Tourist Office
- 5th Nov - Fireworks, Sedbergh School
- 6th Dec - Late Night Opening/Xmas Lights on, Sedbergh
- 8th Dec - Ceremony of Carols, Sedbergh School
- 10th Dec - Guest Carol Service, Sedbergh School
- 17th Dec - Carol Service, St. Andrew's Dent
- 19th Dec - Carol Service, Cowgill Church
- 8th March - Soul's Weekend Yoga & Wellness Retreat, Sedbergh
- 28th March - Easter 'Festival of Farm & Fell', Birks Lane, Sedbergh
- 26th April - 'Water in Spring', Nature Escape, Sedbergh
- 27th April - Spring Concert, St Andrew's, Sedbergh