(pronounced ''Sedber'' or even, by the locals, ''Sebber'') is a small town in
Cumbria , traditionally part of the
West Riding Of Yorkshire . It lies about 7½ miles (12 km) east of
Kendal and about 10 miles (15 km) north of
Kirkby Lonsdale . The town lies just within the
Yorkshire Dales National Park . It lies at the foot of the
Howgill Fells on the north bank of the
River Rawthey , which joins the
River Lune about 2½ miles (4 km) below Sedbergh.
The town has a narrow main street lined with shops. From all angles you can see the hills rising behind the houses. Until the coming of the
Railway in
1861 , These were remote places that it was possible to reach only by slogging 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 . Nearby Briggflatts Quaker Meeting House was built in 1675.
Sedbergh School is a co-educational boarding school in the town.
Sedbergh's
Church , St Andrew's, dates from the
12th Century , though restored periodically since then. There is at least one house dating from the
14th Century , and there are the remains of a
Motte And Bailey Castle believed to date from
Saxon times.
The main industries of Sedbergh, were for many years the private boys' school, founded in
1536 , (
Sedbergh School ),
Farming , and the production of woollen garments.
Wool sheared from the many sheep was taken to local
Mills were it was turned into
Yarn from which people in their homes, would
Knit clothing, including hats and socks. The garments were then sold by local merchants to, among other places, the
Coal miners of the North East of England. This trade has long since disappeared. There are still plenty of
Sheep in the surrounding fields. Some of the sheep are now raised primarily to protect the breed, notably the
Rough Fell sheep.
Income now comes from a range of sources, the schools are still the main employer in the town. It is now possible that the turnover of small to medium manufacturing and wholesaleing 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. There is also a growing number of book shops after a local campaign to develop Sedbergh as a Book Town.
