Things to do in Sedbergh
Sedbergh is a market town at the foot of the Howgill Fells, so most days out start on foot. Here is what to do, from a half-hour town trail to a full day on The Calf.
Walk the Howgill Fells
The hills rise straight behind the town.
- Cautley Spout and The Calf: the classic full day. The classic Howgills day: follow the River Rawthey to England's highest above-ground waterfall, climb beside it and top out on The Calf (676 m), the range's highest point.
- Winder and Arant Haw: a shorter fell round from the town centre. A shorter, rewarding fell round straight from the town centre. Climb Winder for a view over Sedbergh and the Lune valley, then continue to Arant Haw.
- Along the Fell Wall: a short walk with wide views back over the town. A short walk on the lower edge of Winder fell with wide views back over Sedbergh and Garsdale, and an optional ice-cream stop at a working farm.
Easy walks by the river and woods
Low-level routes for a shorter day or when the tops are in cloud.
- Akay Wood and the River Rawthey: woodland and river. A short woodland and riverside circuit past the Pepperpot and the ancient Akay Oak, with Bruce Loch nature reserve and a salmon-leap weir by Millthrop Bridge.
- Sedbergh Circular via the Rawthey: a river-valley circuit. A river-valley circuit from town, following the River Rawthey west partly along the Dales Way, crossing at Middleton Bridge and returning on the south side.
- Dales Way, Luneside and Craggstones: a circular walk on the Dales Way. A circular walk along the Dales Way to the Rawthey and Lune, taking in the old Lune viaduct and Craggstone Wood before returning along the foot of the fell.
History, culture and the town itself
Architecture, a Quaker meeting house and a heritage centre are all within walking distance.
- Sedbergh Town Trail: about 30 minutes through the town. A circular wander around Sedbergh's architecture and history, easily combined with a visit to the town's shops and cafes. A good wet-weather choice.
- Brigflatts Quaker Meeting House: a short riverside walk to a 1675 meeting house. A short riverside walk along the Rawthey to the hamlet of Brigflatts and its 1675 Quaker Meeting House, returning across fields to Sedbergh.
- Farfield Mill by the Rawthey: a walk to the arts and heritage centre. Follow the River Rawthey to Farfield Mill Arts and Heritage Centre, with a choice of return routes. A gentle outing with a cafe-and-craft stop.
Arrive by train and walk
The Settle–Carlisle line has stations at Garsdale and Dent, and both have a walk down to the town.
- Garsdale Station to Sedbergh: a gentle low-level linear walk. A gentle low-level linear walk down Garsdale beside the Clough River. Arrive by train on the Settle-Carlisle line and finish in town for tea and a browse round the shops.
- Dales Way: Dent Station to Sedbergh: an easy walk along Dentdale. An easy low-level linear walk along Dentdale and the River Dee, with an optional detour into Dent village for a pub lunch, finishing in Sedbergh.
Shops, cafes and festivals
Sedbergh has pubs, cafes and independent shops on and around Main Street, and walking, literary and music festivals through the year. See the weekend plan for a simple itinerary and where to stay if you want to make a weekend of it.