With its narrow, cobbled main street, white-walled cottages and ancient village church, set in a deep, narrow valley, Dent, in Cumbria, is one of the loveliest of Dales villages.
History and heritage
Walking through the cobbled streets of Dent - still known by its old name of Dent Town - you will find an art gallery, blacksmith's shop and a memorial fountain to its most famous son, geologist Professor Adam Sedgwick, 1785-1874. Sedgwick was the Woodwardian Professor of Geology at Cambridge University and one of the great founding fathers of the modern science of geology. He was a friend of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, teacher and later opponent of Charles Darwin and a great benefactor and historian of his native Dentdale.
The twelfth century church of St. Andrew contains altar flagstones made from the beautiful black Dent marble, the area's most famous mining export. The working lives and social customs of local people since the sixteenth century - including the 'Terrible Knitters of Dent' - are revealed at the Dent Village Heritage Centre.
Cafés and pubs
Village cafés like Stone Close with its original cast iron range, offer a mouthwatering choice of home-baked goodies, while the town's two pubs both offer a warm welcome and excellent casked ales. The George and Dragon is tap house for Dent Brewery and winner of several CAMRA awards for their cider and perry. The Sun Inn prides itself on its no frills, traditional atmosphere.
Where to stay
Accommodation is available to suit every pocket from a large campsite through to hidden-away cottages making Dentdale a good base to explore surrounding hills and towns. The locally-run Dentdale website lists most of the places to stay in the area.
Walking
The Dales Way runs close to the village down the valley to Sedbergh. Other walks from the village include the route up Flintergill behind Dent to the former Occupation Road, where you gain great views across the valley. Pick up a leaflet about Flintergill Outrake & Nature Trail in local shops. For the serious walker, there is an unusual ascent of Whernside, one of the iconic Three Peaks, via the medieval Craven Way packhorse trail. If you'd like to know more about the history of the village itself then download our Conservation Area Trail onto your phone.
Getting here
Limited bus services connect Dent with Sedbergh, Kendal, Kirkby Stephen and Hawes on alternating days. Connections with train services on the Settle-Carlisle line are possible. Please note that Dent Railway Station on the Settle-Carlisle line, and the highest in England, is approximately 5 miles from Dent village itself and the last mile is steeply uphill
