Sedbergh Walking and Wellbeing Festival

Name: Sedbergh Walking and Wellbeing Festival
Start: 2026-09-14T10:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-09-14T10:00:00+01:00
Location: Sedbergh Walking and Wellness Festival

About

A walking and wellbeing festival to take place 14-20 September 2026 in and around Sedbergh, the Howgills and the Lune Valley. This Festival is sponsored by The Black Bull Inn, Sedbergh, Dalesway Therapies and Sedbergh Summits guided walks and mountain adventures.

Walks around Sedbergh, the Howgills & the Lune Valley

By SedberghSummits

Monday 14 September 2026 - Sedbergh & Fostrow Fell - A pleasant walk through Sedbergh and the hamlet of Millthrop then ascending Fostrow Fell for excellent views towards the Howgills. We conclude by following the River Rawthay. 4.5 miles / 2.5 hours.

Tuesday 15th September 2026 - Howgills Skyline - Traverse the 'Sleepy Elephants' from Sedbergh to Carlin Bridge, taking six summits along an undulating ridge. Potential for extensive views across towards Lakeland and Morcambe Bay. 8 Miles / 5 hours.

Wednesday 16 September 2026. - Cautley Spout & the Calf - From the Cross Keys Inn, we visit Cautley Spout, the highest waterfall in England before progressing to the summit of the Calf with extensive views over Lakeland, & Yorkshire Dales. 6 miles / 4 hours

Thursday 17 September 2026 - Firbank Fell & River Lune (walks & wild swim) - From just outside Sedbergh, we ascend Firbank Fell to visit Fox's Pulpit where the Quaker movement started, before descending to the River Lune and an opportunity for a wild swim. 4.5 miles / 3 hours.

Friday 18 September 2026 - Howgills Traverse - From the Black Bull Sedbergh, we ascend onto the highest Howgill Fells before visiting Cautley Spout and the valley of Bowderdale, finishing at the King's Head Ravenstone Dale. 10.5 miles / 6 hours.

Saturday 19 September 2026- A Pennine Journey - From the Cross Keys Inn, in the footsteps of Alfred Wainwright - author of a Pennine Journey, we follow the River Rawthay to Farfield Mill and Sedbergh. 5 miles / 3 hours.

Sunday 20 September 2026 - A circuit of Wild Boar Fell- A high moorland walk from the Eden Valley, ascending through an impressive lime stone gorge onto Wild Boar Fell then returning via Swarth Fell - 8 miles / 5 hours.

Wellbeing Sessions

By Dalesways Therapies

Advice and practical sessions, ideally outdoors, on why direct skin contact with the earth (grass, soil, stones & natural water) improves our energy, health, sleep & longevity whilst reducing stress, inflammation, muscle soreness & fatigue. Why keeping our feet stimulated and mobile can maintain better balance, teach foot to core stability and self care especially to achilles and calves either as a warm up any of the walks or accompanying a walk and offer this part way on walk - stop, take your boots off, get grounded, say ‘hello’ to your foot & its 33 joints, encourage more ‘bounce’ into your achilles & whole fascial web! contact Yvonne or Fritz direct at www.daleswaytherapies.co.uk / 07795063107 if you would like to book in for treatments during your stay.

The Black Bull Inn : A Contemporary Inn, Restaurant & Pub in Sedbergh.

Award Winning Food by Nina Matsugana

At the foot of the Howgill Fells, The Black Bull is shaped by its surroundings — wild, generous, and full of character. Our food draws from the landscapes that surround us, led by the seasons and grounded in honest technique. With rooms designed for comfort and calm, and a dining experience that speaks quietly of craft, we invite you to slow down, stay a while, and explore something familiar made new. Contact The Black Bull at www.theblackbullsedbergh.co.uk / +44(0)1539620264 for details.

Talks at the Black Bull Inn, Sedbergh

Monday 14 September 6-7pm and Friday 18 September 6 – 7 pm

Talk - Navigation for Fell Walkers. This one-hour talk will introduce the use of an ordnance survey map and silva compass to novice navigators, giving you the skills and confidence to follow public rights of way and fell paths in fair weather conditions. We will cover navigation theory during the talk, this can be augmented by practical sessions on any of the day walks in the program.

Tuesday 15 September 6-7pm.

Talk - Alfred Wainwright Books & Memorabilia. Chris Butterfield’s love of the outdoors began in his teenage years, eventually leading to an interest in the life and work of Alfred Wainwright. Chris has built one of the most comprehensive private collections of Wainwright material, including rare books, original printing materials, personal objects and memorabilia. He is the author of Wainwright Memories, has written articles, and appeared on television and radio to discuss Wainwright’s guidebooks, legacy and continuing appeal. In 2025, his collection featured as a dedicated Wainwright exhibition at The Armitt. Contact Chris at www.alfredwainwright.co.uk

Wednesday 16 September 6 -7pm

Talk - Managing Emergencies on the Fells. This one hour talk will review why emergencies happen and how to avoid having to call for mountain rescue whilst on the Fells. We will consider what to carry, how to plan your day and how to make sensible decisions, before concluding with some strategies and approaches so that you know what to do should an emergency happen.

Thursday 17 September 6 – 7pm

Talk – The Red Squirrels of Sedbergh. This one-hour talk and Q&A will describe the work of Sedbergh Red Squirrel Society and how it seeks to promote and protect the local Red Squirrel populations. All purchase will go directly to supporting this work. The Black Bull Inn Sedbergh.