Although we often feel like cuddling up on the sofa with a hot chocolate and some festive treats throughout winter, one thing that can really get our spirits up and help claw some of our health back during the season of indulgence is a good long walk. What’s more, our region is pretty spectacular in the colder months, with the Peaks and the Pennines practically shining with Yuletide joy, and one walk within the vicinity of Greater Manchester that has been tried and tested is in Sedbergh, in Cumbria.
Just under two hours from Manchester by car, step into a world of gorgeous nature and the road less travelled – compared to the neighbouring Lake District, that is. Bordered by the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Sedbergh boasts a lovely traditional town centre, covered with cobbles and quaint shopfronts, alongside incredible walks with stunning views.
This Sedbergh walk was named one of the best winter walks in the UK
In a recent article by The Telegraph, a seven-mile ramble around Sedbergh was named one of the best winter walks in the country, making it the perfect spot to visit this festive season when, let’s face it, we have nothing to do and don’t know what day it is.
From Sedbergh, the “moderate tramp” along the Dales Way takes a good three to four hours, depending on your pace, but is really something special, and will fill your lungs with sharp fresh air. The route takes in several gorgeous landmarks, including the railway viaduct across the River Lune, and the spectacular Howgill Fells from Craggstone Woods, displaying Great British nature in all its winter glory.
A winter walk that finishes at a cosy pub
What winter walk would be complete without a pint and a bit of grub at the end? The Black Bull in Sedbergh is the recommended watering hole to congratulate yourself on a job well done, and what’s more, it’s a UK Top 50 gastropub!
Of course, as any self-respecting northern town would, Sedbergh has its fair share of pub options, so give the quaint centre a once over and decide for yourself – a winter walk with a cosy pub really is as easy as that.
Sedbergh is England’s Book Town
If all that wasn’t enough, Sedbergh is also officially England’s Book Town – bestowed in 2003. Book Towns were the brain‑child of book dealer and self-styled “King” of Hay‑on‑Wye, Richard Booth – in 1961 Hay became the first ever book town, and there are now well over twenty of them around the world.
Sedbergh became England’s official Book Town in 2003 following the work of a dedicated group of locals who formed the Sedbergh Literary Trust. Alongside several shops dedicated to books, and those with book outlets within larger stores, Sedbergh is also home to the Book Shelter, a redundant bus shelter where you can take a book for free, as long as you replace it with another one; a sign of the town’s commitment to literature.
Reasons why winter is the perfect time for walking
The Telegraph also suggests that winter is actually the perfect time to go for a walk – contrary to popular belief. You’re more likely to get footpaths to yourself – keen walkers will understand the significance of not having to overtake or dodge others every other minute – and the beauty of winter is often overlooked; you can see skeleton trees, frost shimmer, wood smoke and so much more that you don’t catch in the summer months.
How to get to Sedbergh
Given Sedbergh isn’t too far from Kendal, you can imagine where this is going. By car, the M602, M61 and M6 will take you neatly to Killington Lake, where the A684 will take you directly to Sedbergh.
By train, the journey takes almost double the time, but you can go from Manchester Victoria, changing at Leeds to get to Kirkby Stephen, then get the S1 bus to Sedbergh Library.