Once upon a time, there was a charming UK town that earned recognition for its independent shops and shelves stacked with second-hand handbooks. Today, it’s known as the ‘Book Town’, overflowing with hidden gems in a place brimming with charm.

The pretty market town of Sedbergh, nestled within the Yorkshire Dales National Park and beneath the Howgill Fells, officially became a ‘Book Town’ in 2003. It’s a haven for bookworms, or those looking to explore the picturesque town with cobbled streets and independent shops.

While you might expect the town to be brimming with dedicated bookshops, there are actually only a few. But that won’t stop you from discovering novels around every corner of this quaint town, whether that’s in a former bus shelter, a former cinema or enjoying a read in one of their cosy cafés.

One of the town’s most popular stores is Westwood Books, the ‘largest bookshop in the Yorkshire Dales’, stocking more than 70,000 titles that are antiquarian, second-hand or newly published, across two floors. Located on Long Lane, the independent, family-run bookshop has a dedicated Collector’s Book Room for its “scarcer titles”, and also offers guidebooks, maps, gifts, jigsaws, cards, and stationery.

Over the years, the building has been a factory, a local cinema, and a village hall, but it was when it opened as a bookshop in 2006 that it really thrived in the town. It was named one of The Guardian’s ‘Top Ten Secondhand Bookshops’ in 2009, and acclaimed author Bill Bryson famously described Westwood Books as “large and excellent”.

Visitors are invited to leisurely browse their selection of titles and enjoy a cup of coffee in what can only be deemed a book lover’s dream. Today, the charming store is run by Paul and Heather Thomas and is open seven days a week from 10.30am, aside from Christmas Day.

Following a trip to Westwood Books, one delighted visitor shared: “Oh, wow. It was like we were in my heaven- we loved every bit of it. It was a book shop that just kept on going- there were so many little nooks and crannies. We spent over an hour there!! The staff were so welcoming, there was a toilet, a lot of seating and coffee!! There was a huge range of books for all ages, and I’ve already recommended it to some of my friends! Thank you!”

The town’s story seeps through many of its shops, with The Sleepy Elephant selling new and secondhand walking gear alongside mountaineering books, and Farfield Clothing, which has been known to offer paperbacks. There’s also the community charity shop, Clutterbooks, with shelves of secondhand books, along with the art gallery, Farfield Mill, which hasn’t missed out on offering a selection of reads in their pre-loved Bookshop.

There are even books in the Sedbergh Information Centre, alongside leaflets, maps and guides, as well as Howgills Bookshop, found in the same building. Howgills Bookshop offers an “extensive stock of secondhand books on a diverse range of subjects”, as outlined on their website.

While Westwood Books is the biggest outlet, there are also cosy cafés that invite locals and visitors to enjoy a book over a warming drink and a slice of cake. Nestled along Main Street are Mug Story and Smatt’s Duo, with bars also an option, with Half and Half and The Thirsty Rambler.

Thanks to its location, Sedbergh has served as a hub and a welcoming escape for avid walkers looking to explore the dramatic scenery that borders the town. Of course, there are the sprawling landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, along with nearby majestic sights at Ingleton Waterfalls Trail and Scaleber Force Waterfall.

Visit Lake District describes Sedbergh as “a surprising mix of sassy and smart”. They noted: “It has bags of olde worlde charm, its historic houses and cobbled streets the perfect complement to its extensive choice of speciality shops, and cafés, pubs and bistros serving locally sourced produce.”

It also holds a monthly Artisan market and has traditional pubs, with scenic walks right on the doorstep. So whether you’re a bookworm or not, you won’t be disappointed following a trip to the charming town of Sedbergh, filled with character.

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