Experience the best of Dentdale, visit Cowgill.
The Sportsman's
Inn lies at the eastern end of Dentdale in the Yorkshire Dale National Park
and a short drive away from the Lake District
National Park, providing a perfect base for exploring the beauty of both.
We have a
wealth of knowledge regarding the area, local walks and places of interest,
to ensure that you get the most from your stay.
Cowgill. (twinned with Royston
Vasey)
Cowgill is the most scenic part of Dentdale. Trains on the Settle
Carlisle railway line appear from Blea moor tunnel before crossing Denthead
and Arten Ghyll (that's how Allan Matt spells it) viaducts on their way to
tiny Dent station, the highest main line station in England. The drivers
take their passengers lives in their hands, balancing heavy trains on very
narrow lines with no steering wheel!!
Cowgill was also the home of the famous Dent Marble mill, where fossilised
limestone was quarried, cut, dressed and polished, to make luxury fireplaces
and memorials etc, before the import of real marble from Italy. The locals
worked a twenty six hour day for a week of fortnights in gruelling
conditions, all for tuppence, (paid promptly every 29th Feb) and as many off
cuts as they could eat. (we have a Dent marble fireplace in The
Sportsman's).
Johnny Winston Akrigg proprietor of Ewegales campsite has a fine collection
of old tractors, cars, tyres, cookers and washing machines.
Dent Village
Dent village is always worth a visit. With its cobbled street, shops, two
pubs and Heritage Centre of country stuff, it provides a re-laxative change
from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Hawes
Home to the Wensleydale Creamery and visitor centre, where you can watch the
cheese being made and sample it before making your choice (take a bread roll
and make yourself a butty).
I knew someone once who claimed to make Billy Goats milk cheese!! She said
the Billy goat was very accommodating and showed no sign of stress. Animal
welfare a prime consideration.
The Countryside Museum is another must for anyone visiting Hawes. It gives a
snapshot of people and old fashioned trades from a bygone age, that helped
shape the Dales and make it what it is today. It's also somewhere to shelter
from the rain.
Hawes rope makers is another attraction not to missed, as long as you're not
too tied up.
Sedbergh
Subject of the recent BBC series 'The town wants a twin' and gateway to the
Howgills.
Sedbergh school is well big and has had many famous people going there.
Nostradamus, Will Carling and Harry Potter to name but three!!
Sedbergh is also the home of the finest butcher I've ever known, Mr G.
Steadman.
Garth and his staff will gladly pop their sausages on the counter for you to
inspect.
