A weekend in Sedbergh

England's book town below the rounded Howgill Fells

Independent UK guide
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Updated October 2026

Sedbergh is a small town at the foot of the Howgill Fells, a group of rounded, grassy hills that look like sleeping elephants. It is England's official book town, with a number of second-hand bookshops, and it has a famous school and a peaceful Quaker meeting house nearby.

It is a quiet base for the northern Dales and southern Lakes, with waterfalls, villages and some of the best hill walking in the north.

Best forWalkers, Culture fans, History lovers, Dog owners

Best time to goSpring to autumn for fell walking. The Howgills are lovely in late summer and autumn.

Typical budget (2 people, 2 nights)£320–£560, excluding travel

Getting thereKendal: About 25 minutes by car.

Check prices for a weekend in Sedbergh

Plan your weekend in Sedbergh

Top attractions in Sedbergh

The bookshops

Independent and second-hand bookshops around the town, with an annual book festival.

The Howgill Fells

Gentle, rounded hills with long ridge walks and big views.

Cautley Spout

One of the highest waterfalls in England, reached by a short walk from the road.

Dent

A pretty cobbled village in Dentdale, a short drive away.

Brigflatts Meeting House

A 17th-century Quaker meeting house, one of the oldest in the country.

Best things to do in Sedbergh

Guides to the activities most people plan a weekend around.

Malham Cove and Gordale Scar walk

A circular walk from Malham village takes in Malham Cove, an 80-metre limestone cliff with a clints-and-grikes pavement on top, and Gordale Scar, a dramatic gorge with a waterfall. Allow 3 to 4 hours.

Settle to Carlisle railway

The Settle to Carlisle line is one of England's most scenic railway journeys, crossing the Yorkshire Dales and the Eden Valley over 73 miles. Allow about 1.5 hours one way.

Scafell Pike walk

At 978 metres, Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England. Allow 5 to 8 hours.

Best areas to stay in Sedbergh

The town centre

Close to pubs, bookshops and cafes.

Near the fells

Peaceful, with walks from the door.

Dent or Garsdale

Quiet villages in the dales.

Best hotels in Sedbergh

Prices for a double room in Sedbergh typically fall around £90–£150 a night in this price band. Guesthouses and B&Bs are usually the best value, while boutique hotels and inns with rooms suit a treat. Read recent guest reviews and use the filters on the booking sites for the things that matter to you.

Compare places to stay in Sedbergh

Prices change daily, so check a few sites. For dog-friendly or quiet stays, use the pet and review filters. These are affiliate links.

Best time to visit Sedbergh

Spring to autumn for fell walking. The Howgills are lovely in late summer and autumn.

Seasons that suit Sedbergh well: spring, summer, autumn.

Estimated budget for a weekend in Sedbergh

Hotel or B&B, per night for two	£90–£150
Food and drink, per day for two	£55–£85
Activities and extras for the weekend	£30–£90
Estimated total, 2 people, 2 nights, excluding travel	£320–£560

Mid-range destination. These are rough 2026 estimates and vary by season and room type. Add the cost of getting there. For a personalised figure, use the BritBreaks finder.

Getting to Sedbergh

From Kendal: About 25 minutes by car.
From Manchester: About 1 hour 45 minutes by car.
From Leeds: About 1 hour 30 minutes by car.

Journey times are rough guides. Check live train and road times before you travel.

A sample weekend in Sedbergh

Friday evening: Arrive, settle in and have dinner in The town centre.
Saturday: Start with The bookshops, then The Howgill Fells. In the afternoon, head to Cautley Spout.
Sunday: Visit Dent or Brigflatts Meeting House, then head home.

Packing list for Sedbergh

Handy things people often forget. These are Amazon links, so prices and availability are set by Amazon.

More kit guides: Walking gear Wet-weather gear Dog travel gear

Good to know

There is no railway, so most visitors drive, with the nearest station at Oxenholme.
Weather on the fells changes quickly.
Check opening times for bookshops, which vary.