New Sedbergh Walking & Wellbeing Festival

About

New Sedbergh Walking & Wellbeing Festival to Launch in September 2026 Alongside New 120-Mile Walking Trail

A brand-new walking festival will debut in Sedbergh from 14 to 20 September 2026, combining guided fell walks, wellbeing activities, therapeutic treatments and evening talks across the spectacular landscapes of the Howgill Fells, Wild Boar Fell and the Upper Lune Valley.

The Sedbergh Walking & Wellbeing Festival has been designed for walkers of all abilities, whether attending for a single day or the full week. The programme encourages visitors to slow down, reconnect with nature and enjoy a balance of outdoor adventure and relaxation.

Launch of the Westmorland & Furness Way

The festival will coincide with the official launch of the Westmorland & Furness Way, a new 120-mile long-distance walking trail inspired by local walker and guidebook writer David Pitt and developed by Westmorland & Furness Council.

Launching on 15 September 2026, the route stretches from Alston to Furness Abbey, travelling through the North Pennines National Landscape, Yorkshire Dales National Park, Lake District National Park and alongside Morecambe Bay.

Presented in six sections, the trail offers a variety of walking experiences suitable for different abilities, from day walks to weekend adventures. Walkers will encounter open moorland, high fells, rivers, rolling countryside and coastal scenery.

Further information is available at www.westmorlandfurnessway.co.uk.

Guided Walks Throughout the Festival

Each day features a professionally guided walk showcasing the diverse landscapes surrounding Sedbergh.

Monday 14 September – Sedbergh & Frostrow Fell (4.5 miles, approximately 2.5 hours)
Tuesday 15 September – Howgills Skyline, visiting six summits (8 miles, approximately 5 hours)
Wednesday 16 September – Cautley Spout & The Calf, including England’s highest waterfall (6 miles, approximately 4 hours)
Thursday 17 September – Firbank Fell & River Lune, with an optional wild swimming experience (4.5 miles, approximately 3 hours)
Friday 18 September – Howgills Traverse, the festival’s longest route (10.5 miles, approximately 6 hours)
Saturday 19 September – A Pennine Journey, following Alfred Wainwright’s famous route (5 miles, approximately 3 hours)
Sunday 20 September – Circular walk around Wild Boar Fell (8 miles, approximately 5 hours)

Wellbeing Sessions and Outdoor Therapies

Alongside the walking programme, visitors can book a range of wellbeing experiences provided by Dalesway Therapies and other experienced practitioners.

Available therapies include:

Clinical massage
Sports massage
Hot stone massage
Myofascial release therapy
CranioSacral Therapy
Earthing sessions
Foot and Achilles care

Participants can also join sunrise and sunset walks, offering opportunities to experience dawn over the Yorkshire Dales and Pennines or evening views towards the Lake District and Morecambe Bay.

Evening Talks at The Black Bull Inn

A series of informative talks will take place each evening between 6pm and 7pm at The Black Bull Inn, Sedbergh.

Monday 14 & Friday 18 September – Navigation for Fell Walkers, introducing map and compass skills.
Tuesday 15 September – Alfred Wainwright Books & Memorabilia, presented by collector Chris Butterfield.
Wednesday 16 September – Managing Emergencies on the Fells, covering preparation, equipment and decision-making.
Thursday 17 September – The Red Squirrels of Sedbergh, supporting the work of the Sedbergh Red Squirrel Society.

Accommodation at The Black Bull Inn

Visitors can stay at The Black Bull Inn, a restored 17th-century coaching inn situated at the foot of the Howgill Fells. Led by chef-owner Nina Matsunaga, the inn combines seasonal dining inspired by the surrounding landscape with contemporary interiors influenced by traditional Japanese ryokan.

Festival Programme Continues to Grow

Additional guided walks, wellbeing sessions, talks and activities will be announced in the lead-up to the festival, providing even more opportunities to experience the landscapes and communities of Sedbergh and the surrounding fells.

What the Organisers Say

James Ratcliffe, co-owner of The Black Bull Inn, said:

“The aim was to create an event that reflects everything that makes this area unique, from the expansive fells to the opportunity to unwind after a day outdoors. The festival brings those experiences together alongside quality accommodation and dining.”

Mark Kenyon of Sedbergh Summits said:

“The Howgills and Lune Valley offer some of the finest walking in northern England. The festival provides an opportunity to introduce visitors to routes that many people have yet to discover.”

Yvonne Cervetti of Dalesway Therapies said:

“Sedbergh provides an ideal setting to reconnect with nature. The festival combines walking with therapies, workshops, creative activities and wellbeing sessions that complement time spent exploring the fells.”