Wuthering Heights

18/09/2025

29/01/2025

Ever come across the 'Terrible Knitters of Dent'? Dent is a tiny, quiet hill village near Sedbergh in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, instantly recognisable for its whitewashed cottages. Until the 19th century, Dent would have resounded with the clickety clack of hundreds of knitting needles! In those days knitting wasn't an activity associated with women or hobbies - it was something done by men, women and children and was an essential way to supplement meagre incomes.

Whether from farming or lead-mining families, most Dales inhabitants were poor and needed to supplement their income. The solution was to knit at every opportunity. Children were sent to live with cottagers in Dent so they could learn the trade, in an early kind of sweat shop, being cajoled or whipped to knit as quickly as possible. Women knitted as soon as their housework was done. Men knitted on their way to and from work. The Dales knitters were known for their incredible dexterity.

They used a simple tool called a 'knitting stick', a wooden stick that was tucked into a waist belt, which anchored needles and enabled knitters to knit with just one hand. This meant that knitters could do two things at once, perhaps churning butter as they knitted.

The Dales Countryside Museum has a great collection of knitting sticks. Some of them are quite plain, whereas others are more decorative and probably made as gifts for sweethearts. You can also find out more about them at Farfield Mill, Sedbergh

So famous were the astoundingly quick knitters of Dent, people still talk about the "terrible knitters of Dent". Groups of people would often gather in one cottage to save fuel for fires and light, knitting and telling stories or singing as they worked. Knitters were brought yarn by merchants who also collected the socks, stockings, mittens, hats and jackets they knitted and took them off to market.

​Each Dale would have had their own distinctive patterns, a bit like Fair Isle where complex patterns were handed down from family to family.

30/09/2024

🌟🌟🌟🌟LAST MINUTE AVAILABILITY 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Due to a cancellation we have availability for 2 nights in October - Thursday 10th and Friday 11th.

Please message me for more information ☺️

www.holidaycottagessedbergh.co.uk

🐶 Dog friendly (additional £20 charge)
🛌 Sleeps 4 (Superking bed and twin)
🏡 Secure back yard
🔔 Central Town Location
🍺 Traditional Pubs
🍽️ Award Winning Dining
♨️ Electric Central Heating
🥾 Fantastic Walks from the Doorstep
🗻 Amazing Views
🛜 Fast WiFi
📺 Smart TV
🛁 Bath with Overhead Shower
📚 Various Book Shops in the town
🚗 Parking
⛰️ In the scenic Yorkshire Dales National Park & just a short drives from Lake District National Park

10/08/2024

13/07/2024

🌟🌟🌟🌟LAST MINUTE AVAILABILITY 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Due to a cancellation we have availability for tonight and Sunday 13th & 14th July 2024.

Please message me for more information ☺️

www.holidaycottagessedbergh.co.uk

🐶 Dog friendly (additional £20 charge)
🛌 Sleeps 4 (Superking bed and twin)
🏡 Secure back yard
🔔 Central Town Location
🍺 Traditional Pubs
🍽️ Award Winning Dining
♨️ Electric Central Heating
🥾 Fantastic Walks from the Doorstep
🗻 Amazing Views
🛜 Fast WiFi
📺 Smart TV
🛁 Bath with Overhead Shower
📚 Various Book Shops in the town
🚗 Parking
⛰️ In the scenic Yorkshire Dales National Park & just a short drives from Lake District National Park

22/06/2024

We still have availability for these 4 nights. Weather warming up next week so great time to explore the lovely Yorkshire Dales National Park and Lake District National Park. Please message me for best prices xx

21/06/2024

Lovely walk around the local lanes this morning - summer might be here??? ☀️⛰️😎

13/06/2024

So nice to get the washing out on the line. Lovely fresh linens ready to put on the beds!!

www.holidaycottagessedbergh.co.uk

12/06/2024

We have the following availability in June, please message for more information…..

Www.holidaycottagessedbergh.co.uk

24th June - 28th June (4 nights)

🐶 Dog friendly (additional £20 charge)
🛌 Sleeps 4 (Superking bed and twin)
🏡 Secure back yard
🔔 Central Town Location
🍺 Traditional Pubs
🍽️ Award Winning Dining
♨️ Electric Central Heating
🥾 Fantastic Walks from the Doorstep
🗻 Amazing Views
🛜 Fast WiFi
📺 Smart TV
🛁 Bath with Overhead Shower
📚 Various Book Shops in the town