About Dent and Dentdale

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Dent's picturesque cobbled streets and 17th century buildings and Dentdale's breathtaking scenery provide the ideal place to escape the pressures of everyday life. Perfectly placed in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, on the edge of Cumbria, Dent provides a convenient location for visiting not only the many attractions of the Dales, but also Cumbria and the nearby Lake District, approximately fifteen miles away.

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Walking

Walking in Dentdale is a popular pursuit and provides the opportunity to explore the beautiful countryside around the dale, which is rich in wildlife, flora and fauna. There are numerous footpaths where you can follow a Heritage Trail through the beautiful wooded gully of Flintergill or enjoy a more leisurely stroll along the River Dee. For the more adventurous the ascent of Whernside (tallest of the 'Three Peaks') from Dent village is one of the classic country walks as featured in Alfred Wainwright's 'Walks in Limestone Country'.

The Dales Way is a long distance walking route of around 80 miles between Ilkley in West Yorkshire and Bowness-on-Windermere in the Lake District. Following mainly riverside paths, the Dales Way tracks the course of the River Dee along almost the entire length of Dentdale, from Dent Head with it's railway viaducts, through Dent village with it's cobbled streets and 17th Century cottages and then beyond to Sedbergh and Kendal. 

 

Cycling

Dentdale is also popular with cyclists with many on and off-road trails and routes providing a great way of taking in the scenery, including both the Yorkshire Dales and Pennine Cycleways that are accessible from the village. The pretty country lanes are also quiet and ideal for cyclists looking for a more sedate trip out.

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The Settle-Carlisle Railway

The Settle-Carlisle Railway has been recognised as one of the best railway journeys in the world. Emerging from the nearly 1.5 mile long Blea Moor Tunnel, the line passes over Dent Head and then Arten Gill viaducts before halting at Dent Station - England's highest mainline station at 1,150 feet above sea level. The railway is a great way to arrive in Dentdale while enjoying the stunning views of the Yorkshire Dales and Pennines.

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St. Andrews Church and Adam Sedgwick

St. Andrews' elevated position in the centre of Dent makes it a prominent landmark in Dentdale. It's served parishoners of this small farming community for at least 1000 years and has many historical features including the Norman elements of the Bell Tower, the Nave (including the pillars) and the Norman-arched doorway, now blocked but clearly visible from the outside, in the north-facing wall.

Adam Sedgwick, one of the fathers of British geology was born in Dent, and members of his family provided two vicars for the parish in the 19th century. The fountain on Main Street commemorates Dent's most famous son.

The Meditation Centre is a beautiful and inspirational place in the heart of Dent village. Used for quiet reflection or meditation, the Centre is open to all - irrespective of faith or belief.