Why visit Sedbergh
Townapedia lists 6 museums and landmarks, 4 parks and trails, 11 places to eat, 6 places to stay and 2 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Farfield Mill and Sedbergh Golf Club.
Weather in Sedbergh
Forecast from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). Full forecast
About Sedbergh
Sedbergh is a town and civil parish in the Westmorland and Furness area of the ceremonial county of Cumbria, England, about 10 miles (16 km) east of Kendal, 28 miles (45 km) north of Lancaster and about 10 miles (16 km) north of Kirkby Lonsdale. It was historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire.
From the Wikipedia article Sedbergh (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Travel tips from other travellers: Sedbergh on Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Photos of Sedbergh
.jpg)
Things to do2
Museums and landmarks6
Parks, trails and playgrounds4
Restaurants and cafes11
History
The name Sedbergh derives from the Old Norse setberg meaning 'flat topped hill'.
Sedbergh's parish church, dedicated to St Andrew the Apostle, dates from the 12th century, although restored periodically since. There is at least one house in the village dating from the 14th century. The remains of the motte and bailey castle are believed to date from Saxon times.
Sedbergh's longstanding industries were farming and the production of woollen garments. Wool was taken to mills for spinning into yarn, from which people in their homes knitted clothing such as hats and socks. These were sold, for instance, to coal miners of North-East England. This trade of long ago is remembered at Farfield Mill, just outside the town, which has an exhibition of weaving equipment and other periodical exhibitions, and hosts workshops for a number of artists and crafts workers.
Sedbergh was part of the Ewecross wapentake in the West Riding of Yorkshire. From 1894 to 1974 it was part of Sedbergh Rural District in the West Riding. In 1974 it became part of the new county of Cumbria, which ceased to have administrative functions in 2023 but continues as a ceremonial county with a lord lieutenant and high sheriff.
From the History section of Sedbergh on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
More about Sedbergh
Economy
Personal incomes come from a range of sources: the schools are major employers. Sedbergh is also England's official book town (like Hay-on-Wye in Wales and Wigtown in Scotland). Though smaller than these, it has several independent bookshops and dealers. Employment in small to medium manufacturing and wholesale companies may match or exceed that of schools – a growing feature of the economy. Other major sources are farming, retail and tourism. The profile of Sedbergh improved after it got featured in a BBC documentary series, The Town that Wants a Twin, airing for twelve episodes in January and February 2005. One result was for Sedbergh to twin with Zreče in north-eastern Slovenia.
The town suffered an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in 2001. As livestock farming declined, it became a destination for walkers and ramblers. In 2015 the town was accepted as a Walkers are Welcome town.
A monthly booklet "Sedbergh and District Lookaround" gives details of local events and activities, including bus times and religious services.
From the Wikipedia article Sedbergh, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Notable people from Sedbergh
John DuckettMartyrd English priestPhoto: Independent Catholic News, CC BY-SA 4.0
John Dawson WatsonBritish painter and illustrator (1832–1892)Photo: David Wilkie Wynfield, CC0
Peter MooreEnglish civil servant of the East India Company and politician (1753-1828)Photo: Tilly Kettle, Public domain
Anthony FothergillEnglish physicianPhoto: Unknown author, CC BY 4.0
George Edwards PeacockAustralian artist (1806–1890)Photo: George Edwards Peacock, Public domain- Robert WillanEnglish dermatologist
- Assheton Gortonproduction designer (1930-2014)
- Hugh CortazziBritish diplomat (1924–2018)
- Miles BlandEnglish cleric and mathematician (1786–1867)
- Robin FawcettBritish linguist
- Dorothy PilePrecious metal metallurgist; engineer
- Edwards Custarchdeacon of Richmond from 1868 until 1894 (1804–1895)
Born in Sedbergh, according to Wikidata (CC0). Each name links to its Wikipedia article.
Where to stay6
Churches and places of worship8
Brigflatts Meeting House
Church · Quaker · 1.2 mi
Brigflatts Lane, Sedbergh
Shopping8
Gas and EV charging1
Schools, colleges and libraries4
Healthcare1
Map of Sedbergh
51 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Getting there and nearby towns
Walney Aerodrome (BWF) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 33 miles away.
- Kendal 9 mi west, about 14 min by car
- Kirkby Lonsdale 9 mi south, about 14 min by car
- Burneside 10 mi west, about 16 min by car
- Ingleton 12 mi south, about 19 min by car
- Staveley 12 mi west, about 20 min by car
- Kirkby Stephen 13 mi northeast, about 20 min by car
- High Bentham 14 mi south, about 23 min by car
- Warton 15 mi southwest, about 25 min by car
- Shap 16 mi northwest, about 25 min by car
- Silverdale 16 mi southwest, about 26 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Towns near Sedbergh
Keep exploring
Local news
Headlines from INDB.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, coordinates, regions and time zone
- Mapillary (see each image): photos
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Sedbergh, Zaian at English Wikipedia, Public domain
- Loftus Hill, Sedbergh, Bill Boaden, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Holy Trinity Church, Howgill, Peter Amsden, CC BY-SA 2.0
- St Andrew's Church, Sedbergh, Alexander P Kapp, CC BY-SA 2.0
- 48 And 50, Main Street, Mainlymazza, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 57, Main Street three hares, Victuallers, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sedbergh Library, Victuallers, CC BY-SA 4.0
- St Andrew's Church, Sedbergh (2), Peter Moore, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Street-level photo, blind_leader, CC BY-SA 4.0
Page built November 10, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.