At the weekend we made our first trip of the year to stay over at the caravan. 🥰 We decided to deviate from our normal route up the M6 after Kirkby Lonsdale. Instead we meandered through the Dales and into the Eden Valley via the charming town of Sedburgh, nestling at the foot of the Howgills. This part of the Yorkshire Dales is pretty new to us, we usually only view the Howgills from the motorway. Alfred Wainwright once described the fells as ‘ looking like a herd of sleeping elephants’. 🐘🐘🐘
After parking in the town we made our way to the River Rawthey. It was certainly turning out to be a beautiful Spring day.
Presently we came to a field where three Highland cows were residing. They seemed completely happy for us to pass by. Very chilled in the morning sunshine.
I had a plan of course! A little further on along the Rawthey I had read of an old Victorian Wool Mill. Farfield Mill hosts art & craft exhibitions, has a shop and a tearoom ,presently open as a takeaway with tables outside.
Heading back now along the river, there are more cute livestock to see. 🙂
So Sedburgh Is England’s Book Town and has more second hand book shops than Birmingham apparently!
After buying some bread from the Three Hares Cafe Bakery, it was time for us to continue on to our van in the equally lovely Eden Valley. I am sure we will be visiting Sedburgh and the surrounding area again soon though. 🙂
sunshine and celandines 
One of our favourite places – we hope to be there this week. Walking up on the Howgills is grand too, and very easy walking after the initial slope.
Yes I need to get up some hills. Planning on the ones above Melmerby when we go back. But yes the Howgills look a great place to walk. 🙂
I love Sedburgh – it is on our ‘go back and see it again’ list 🙂 the last time we were there, we wild camped up in the hills behind and quietly watched the valley get darker and darker with tiny twinkling lights from the town. We also watched travellers racing their horses along the field a long way down below us. They were on their way to Appleby and had stopped for the night. There were lights and fires and music and a lot of horse racing until almost midnight.
Sounds like good entertainment to sit back and watch whilst camping in those sleeping elephant hills. 🙂
Sedburgh looks a wonderful place to visit and linger awhile, it’s good to get away from motorways if you can and meander on more local routes:)
Yes we were really happy with what we found. It’s a beautiful area and not to busy.
Lovely! I like the sound and look of Sedburgh!
We will definitely go back. 🙂
We’ve never been to Sedburgh but it certainly looks lovely. We are off to Hawes in May so I will add it to our list for a visit, thank you for sharing it with us 😃
Oh yes, I don’t think it’s that far away from Hawes. Enjoy! 😊
I had forgotten that Sedburgh was a book town – Dave loves second hand book shops, we would be there for ages. That all looks lovely and I have made a mental note to make a diversion there when we next head north…
I hope you get to visit one day. 🙂
I was back there on Saturday too, for another walk. It was a beautiful day and the afternoon better than the forecast. It’s a different world is Sedbergh. It’s only open between 10am and 4pm. It’s meant to be “walker friendly” but it doesnt always feel that way when you come down off the hills gasping for a brew and all the cafes are shut 😂
Oh no, yes it seems like the type of place where things would shut early. Quite old fashioned. I liked that there are a green grocers, a butchers, a bakers etc. You will have to take a flask next time. 😊
But it’s nicer to be able to buy a fresh brew at the end of the walk – sometimes that’s the only thing that keeps my legs moving 🚶♂️ 😂
If I’d set off later or got back earlier I might have bumped into you!
I totally agree about the brew. It’s a good incentive that’s for sure. It’s strange that we were there on the same day! 🙂
I had seen your comment on Instagram so knew you were thinking of visiting on your way up to tye caravan. But I’m not stalking you 😬. I’d had this walk planned for a little while and, in any case, it was unlikely our presence in Sedburgh would coincide.
It will be my last walk for a few weeks – I’m off into hospital tomorrow for my op ☹️ Nothing too serious and hopefully out on the day
Good luck with your op. Hope all goes well and your out and about soon. At least you can write up about your Sedburgh walks. 🙂
Thanks Shaz 😀
Back home already! A bit sore but otherwise ok. Only trouble is – no serious walking for 2 months ☹️
Good that your home. Get planning anyway. 🙂
Thanks Shaz 😉
I had seen your comment on Instagram so knew you were thinking of visiting on your way up to the caravan. But I’m not stalking you 😬. I’d had this walk planned for a little while and, in any case, it was unlikely our presence in Sedburgh would coincide.
It will be
What a wonderful town. In fact what a wonderful trip. That donkey is adorable. I really wish I was there .
I think the donkey lived at a farm which rents out a holiday cottage, so a holiday up North one day. I think they owned those Highland cows too. 🙂
I’ve only ever passed through Sedbergh, about 14 years ago en route to and from Dent and I wasn’t driving then. My recollection of it is that it was a rather non-descript little place with nothing there but obviously it has more than I thought – maybe time for a revisit in the future 🙂
Breath of fresh air that walk.
It really was. 🙂
Pretty place, and I just love the little donkey! Seriously cute.
It was very! X
My school in Bolton used to have a retreat centre in Sedburgh that I went twice to. Thanks for the reminder.
Your welcome. X
Often overlooked, Sedbergh is a lovely little town to visit. I haven’t been in ages, so I think it’s time to rectify that. X
It’s a little off the beaten track. X
Ooh, lovely Sharon & a donkey too. I know we did a quick stop in Sedburgh once and ate lunch at the indoor markets I think. As we’ve often said, we’ll check it out better next time we are over and that may not happen now. Seems to be lots of great book shops & other interesting stores. Thanks for sharing & I so enjoyed. Take care, stay safe & hugs from down under.
Sedburgh looks lovely..a pretty town full of bookshops – sounds like heaven !
I loved it. The kind of place with a butchers, bakers, green grocers etc, lots of independent book shops and no chain shops. X
It certainly looks like you chose the right place! I love Highland cows 🙂
Every walk is better with a Highland Cow sighting. X