Brigflatts from Sedbergh.

Start. Sedbergh.

Route. Sedbergh - Main Street - St Anderw's Church - Sedbergh School - Busk Lane - Birks House - River Rawthay - Birks - A683 - Brigflatts - Birks - Birks Lane - Cemetery - Birks Lane - Busk Lane - Sedbergh.

Notes. Brigflatts, near Sedbergh is one of the most famous Quaker meeting houses, known and loved by Friends all over the world. Far beyond the boundaries of the Society, it is acknowledged for all the simplicity of its lime-washed stone walls and interior woodwork paneling, columns and balustrade, as one of England’s vernacular gems. For many, the peace and tranquility of the Meeting House leave a lasting impression.

I pinched that from the Brigflatts web page, but we were welcomed inside, a meeting had just ended, coffee and cakes were forced on us, as we sat in the gallery the atmosphere of the building embrace us, it seems a bit corny but I can only describe it as warm and peaceful. I think I'm getting rather philosophical as I grow older, lets go walking.

Our day started in Sedbergh wandering through the main street looking for somewhere to get food , the place must open late on a Sunday for every shop was shut. From Main Street we wandered along Finkle Street next to St Andrewe’s Church, at the back of the churchyard a narrow way cut along the edge of the cricket field then behind the pavilion, this we followed through the grounds of prestigious Sedbergh School, across Busk Lane, passed a modern sports hall then down to the banks of the River Rawthey. With the Dales Way under foot we strolled down stream to the tiny hamlet of Birks, riverside rambling continued past a small industrial yard followed by a sewerage works, through fields passed the confluence of the Rivers Dee and Rawthay, at one point we crossed the embankment of the Ingleton Branch Line, closed in 1956, field paths continued guiding us deposited us on the busy A683.

Unfortunately this busy road has no pavements, we carefully wandered east towards Sedbergh, after 400 yards or so a finger-post invited us to Brigflatts and Birks, we obliged a narrow lane guided us to the delightful little hamlet. After visiting the meeting house field paths again guided us back to Birks, With the dry stone walls of Birks Lane to guide us we ignored our outward route continuing up the lane passed some neat allotments as far as the cemetery. Cemeteries are wonderful places I love them, just as well we all end up there, history set in stone, a good path ushered us through depositing us on Busk Lane a few hundred yards from the main road into Sedbergh, this had pavements we casually wandered back.

view route map.

home.

Dating back to the 1500s St Andrew's Church.

The River Rawthey at Birks.

Along the river bank wandering passed the confluence of the Rivers Dee and Rawthay.

Dominating the view today, Winder with Crook to the right.

Sue strides out along the tree lined banks of the River Rawthey.

The 124ft span of the Rawthey Bridge built in 1857 to carry the Ingleton Branch Line over the river, all it carries today are gas pipes.

View taken along the tree lined banks of the River Rawthey.

Early Friends needed somewhere to bury their dead because the Anglican church was closed to them, this is their spot. In 1656 Rebecca Langle was the first internment, since then there has been 700 burials but only 100 identified plots.

The Friends Meeting House at Brigflats, it's a lovely welcoming old building, unfortunately it felt obtrusive taking photos inside....

....so you'll have to take a look yourself, the door is always open.

Striding through sheep pastures looking to Winder and Crook.

Weavers Yard, Sedbergh.

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