| Sedbergh | |
A view of Sedbergh |
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Sedbergh
Sedbergh shown within Cumbria |
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| Population | 2,705 (2001) |
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| OS grid reference | SD6592 |
| Parish | Sedbergh |
| District | South Lakeland |
| Shire county | Cumbria |
| Region | North West |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SEDBERGH |
| Postcode district | LA10 |
| Dialling code | 015396 |
| Police | Cumbria |
| Fire | Cumbria |
| Ambulance | North West |
| EU Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament | Westmorland and Lonsdale |
| List of places: UK • England • Cumbria | |
Sedbergh (pronounced Sedber or even, by the locals, Sebber) is a small town in Cumbria, England. It lies about 10 miles (16 km) east of Kendal[1] and about 10 miles (16 km) north of Kirkby Lonsdale. The town sits just within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Sedbergh is at the foot of the Howgill Fells on the north bank of the River Rawthey which joins the River Lune about 2 mi (2 km) below the town.
Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, Sedbergh has a narrow main street lined with shops. From all angles, the hills rising behind the houses can be seen. Until the coming of the railway in 1861, these were remote places were reachable only by walking over some fairly steep hills. The railway to Sedbergh was closed in 1965.
George Fox, a founder of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), spoke in St. Andrew's Church (which he called a "steeple house") and on nearby Firbank Fell during his travels in the North of England in 1652. Briggflatts Meeting House was built in 1675. It is the namesake of Basil Bunting's long poem, Briggflatts (1966). Sedbergh School is a co-educational boarding school in the town.
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Sedbergh's parish church dedicated to St Andrew dates from the 12th century, though restored periodically since then. There is at least one house in the village dating from the 14th century, and there are the remains of a motte and bailey castle believed to date from Saxon times.
Sedbergh's main industries for many years were farming and the production of woollen garments. Wool was taken to mills where it was turned into yarn from which people in their homes knitted clothing, including hats and socks. The garments were sold by local merchants to, among other places, the coal miners of the North East of England. This trade has long since disappeared. It is remembered at Farfield Mill, just outside the town, where there is an exhibition of weaving equipment, and workshops for a number of artists and crafts workers.
Income now comes from a range of sources: the schools are the main employer in the town, but Sedbergh has become England's book town (see Hay-on-Wye and Wigtown) with independent bookshops and dealers who operate from the Dales and Lakes Book Centre. It is now possible that the turnover of small to medium manufacturing and wholesale companies matches or exceeds that of the schools - a growing feature of the economy. Other major sources of income are farming, retail and tourism. It is hoped that tourism will increase after the efforts of Sedbergh to find a twin town were featured in a BBC documentary, The Town That Wants A Twin during January 2005 (the winning town was Zreče in north eastern Slovenia).
About two miles west of the town, near Marthwaite, Ingmire Hall comprises the remains of a 16th century house, incorporating a pele tower, altered and enlarged in the 19th century by Kendalian architect George Webster[2] and again in 20th century. The hall was partially destroyed by fire in the 1920s but was extended and partially remodelled in 1989. The property is built of coursed rubble with quoins and has slate roofs. Although the hall is within private grounds, there is a public footpath running alongside the drive-way.[3]
St Gregory's Church is a redundant Anglican church situated on the A684 road about 1.5 miles (2 km) to the west of Sedbergh. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II listed building and is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust.
| Tebay | Ravenstonedale | |||
| Kendal | Garsdale, Hawes | |||
| Sedbergh | ||||
| Kirkby Lonsdale | Dent |
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