Dent Village Heritage Centre and Museum
Museum on the edge of Dent village in Dentdale showing the working lives and customs of Dales people, with a tearoom and a craft shop in the Woolshed.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Dent Village Heritage Centre was created by Jim and Margaret Taylor of High Laning Farm, who own it and also run the High Laning caravan and camping site. The building was converted and extended by local labour on the site of the old filling station on the edge of Dent.
Most of the exhibits come from the Taylors' own collection of Dales farming and household objects, which they spent many years rescuing and restoring. The displays cover the working lives and social customs of the people who lived in Dentdale in earlier times.
The themes include life on the land, the Dent knitters, Dent marble, the Settle-Carlisle railway, the potter Miles Mason, the geologist Adam Sedgwick, slavery and the local vampire story. A craft and wool shop called the Woolshed, built behind the centre and opened in 2020, sells wool products and traditionally made crafts from local makers and is also meant for craft demonstrations and visits by schools and groups. A tearoom serves refreshments.
Highlights
- Dales farming and household objects from the founders' collection
- Displays on the Dent knitters and Dent marble
- Settle-Carlisle railway, Adam Sedgwick and the Dent vampire story
- The Woolshed craft and wool shop
- Tearoom with home baking
Permanent exhibitions
- Working lives and customs of the Dales – Displays of Dales farming and household objects on life on the land, the Dent knitters, Dent marble, the Settle-Carlisle railway and other local themes.
- The Woolshed – A purpose-built space behind the centre about wool and its crafts, with a shop for local handmade goods and room for craft demonstrations.
- Founded
- 2007
- Operated by
- Jim and Margaret Taylor (High Laning Farm)
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Car park and coach parking at the centre; charges are not stated.
The centre is on the edge of Dent village, about 4 miles south-east of Sedbergh, 8 miles north-east of Kirkby Lonsdale and 12 miles south of Hawes, and within walking distance of the village amenities.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Tearoom serving tea, coffee, ice cream and home baking, and the Woolshed craft and wool shop behind the centre. Toilets and car and coach parking are listed among the facilities.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Groups can book a guided tour with the resident historian followed by a cream tea, advertised at £12.50 per person for tours of about 20 people; bookings by phone or email. The contact form also offers enquiries for groups, concessions and school trips. |
