Dentdale is a Delightful Destination for a self-catering holiday in the Yorkshire Dales.
Dentdale is a beautiful part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Taking its name from the village of Dent, Dentdale is an ideal base for walkers and cyclists and families wanting to explore this neck of the woods.
The Dales Way is a long distance walking route that goes through the valley and many people like to complete a section of it. It’s also convenient for anyone wanting to admire the scenery from the carriage of a steam train. Dent has the highest railway station in Britain and passengers can get on board the Carlisle-Settle line for one of the most scenic railway routes in the UK.
This is also the land of the fell racer, a hardy bunch of people that astonish their supporters with their efforts. Three annual races take place in Dentdale. The Dentdale Run has categories for different age groups. The Rise Hill Fell Race, which is part of Dentdale Show, is 2.9 miles with a summit ascent of 1,358 feet and starts at Dent. Finally, the circular Whernside Fell Race is 12.1 miles with 2,972 feet of ascent, beginning and finishing at Dent.
As for the village of Dent, it has many attractions and events to keep holidaymakers entertained. Wandering its cobbled streets and admiring its central focal point of a pink granite fountain is a good way of starting your break. If you want to delve into the history of the area, especially the everyday lives of working folk, Dentdale Heritage Centre has displays on the local farming community since the 1500s. Exhibits include old tractors, farming and dairy artefacts, a horse drawn carriage, old bicycles and a collection of clogs. A period kitchen, of the kind found in the Dales, is also on display.
Dentdale has two Anglican parish churches, both with noteworthy features and of historic interest. St. Andrew’s is found in Dent and St. John-the-Evangelist is in Cowgill.
Going on holiday is all about getting away from the stress of our daily lives, so what better way to learn to relax than by going to The Meditation Centre in Dent? The centre offers group meditation sessions, meditation courses and teacher training courses for teaching meditation techniques to others. Rent a cottage for a week or two and find relaxation and a new meaning to life in the Dales.
On a less spiritual level, at Cowgill, Dent Brewery produces award-winning ales. Its location in this hamlet makes it one of the most remote breweries in the country. Nevertheless, its ale has found its way into the House of Commons bar! Visitors who want to tour the brewery and learn about the brewing process are very welcome.
The whole community comes together for the annual Dentdale Show, held in Dent. Unfortunately, the show had to be cancelled in 2012 due to adverse weather conditions, but everyone is looking forward to the 2013 show. Past displays on the programme have included vintage tractors, a sheep show, craft demonstrations, tug of war, live music and birds of prey plus real ale from the Dent Brewery. Another much anticipated annual event is the Dent Music and Beer Festival at the end of June, a celebration of good ale and live music.
It’s a short drive to all that the market town of Sedbergh has to offer, with plentiful shopping, pubs and cafes. Its weekly market on a Wednesday is very busy with stallholders selling local produce. The town is also known for its number of independent bookstores. Several annual events attract the crowds to the town, with something to interest every family member. The Sedbergh Music Festival is a celebration of classical music. St. Andrew’s Church hosts recitals, concerts and other festival events every two years in June. If your musical tastes tend more toward folk music, Sedbergh Folkfest, also held in June, has a programme of live musicians and family activities with camping on site. Such is its reputation that it even got a mention on Radio 2’s Mike Harding Show.
For a traditional rural show, the Sedbergh & District Spring Show takes place in early April. Visitors are treated to horticulture, hand made toys, crafts, artwork and photography, with lots of participation from children. However, the highlight of the events calendar for many is the Sedbergh Annual Gala in May, which has been organised since 1964. Events in the gala usually involve a procession through the town, music from Sedbergh Town Band, maypole dancing, fell racing, fairground rides, donkey rides, traditional local wrestling, a maze, birds of prey demonstrations and Punch & Judy performances.
Literary events also take place in the town, in keeping with its status as a centre for booksellers. Activities have included poetry readings, storytelling, fiction and the work of local writers.
For golfers in the party, when holidaying in Dentdale, Sedbergh Golf Club welcomes golfers of different abilities against a lovely backdrop of Dales scenery. It’s a 9-hole, par 70 course and the facilities include a bar and a shop.
Whether you’re interested in being active in the outdoors or in culture and history, Dentdale will have something for you. Shopping for souvenirs and tasting the local food, not to mention real ale, is also a part of a relaxing holiday and you may end up trying something completely new. The Yorkshire Dales are a fabulous holiday destination for dog owners, rent a pet-friendly cottage in the Dales and discover acres of rugged terrain to walk with your dog in the fresh air.
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