Dent

The charming village of Dent, south east of Sedbergh, is set in the beautiful and secluded valley of Dentdale, within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It is a farming community with scattered homesteads, owing much to the settlement patterns of the Vikings who came here in the 10th century. Dent retains a feel of the past with its winding, cobbled streets and whitewashed cottages. The Dales Way long-distance path runs along the length of the valley, as does the River Dee.

Dent is a place to relax and enjoy home-made afternoon tea. For something a bit stronger, try a pint of Dent Bitter, brewed locally at The Dent Brewery, or one of the other fine ales at the local pubs. Dent station, a little way up the valley on the spectacular Settle to Carlisle railway line, is the highest railway station in England, at over 1100 feet above sea level. The 12th century church of St Andrew is well worth a visit; you can still see Norman features in the tower, the nave and the Norman-arched doorway.

Dent is famous for its knitters. In the 18th century, both men and women knitted and their output of hand-knitted gloves and socks was enormous, providing an important supplementary income. At the Dentdale Heritage Centre, visitors will find a wealth of information on the working lives and social customs of the Dales folk who inhabited this beautiful area in times past.

Did you know that Adam Sedgwick (1785-1873), one of the greatest field geologists of his time and a founder of modern geology, was born in Dent?