Sleepy Elephant is housed in the ground floor of Tower House, which dates from the 14th. century and was formerly the chemist's shop which featured in the BBC television series "The House Detectives".

The name, Sleepy Elephant is a spin on a quote from A. Wainwright, the author of several books describing walks around the area. When describing the Howgill Fells, the heart of which, Sedbergh, is the home of the Sleepy Elephant, Wainwright says the fells are...

'...often likened to a huddle of squatting elephants'

Realising that a sleeping elephant is somewhat more appealing than a squatting elephant, the quote was adapted and the Sleepy Elephant was created.

Garments

Garments offered at Sleepy Elephant are examples of our 'careful' approach - fine materials, excellent design and support for smaller and 'fair trade' makers are factors important to us - as is offering our customers exclusive products of the highest quality.

Celtic knitwear is prized everywhere in the world - luxurious yarns, silk, cotton, mohair angora and merino feature in our range for men and women.

Indian silks and Irish linens may be ideal for your holiday or simply lounging at home.

Books

Sleepy Elephant is Sedbergh's arts bookshop featuring the huge stock of textile and needlework books contributed by Avril Whittle, one of the five UK specialists in these areas. Interior design, fine and applied arts are also widely covered as are theatre and drama, food, drink and literature. Folio Society, children's books, dogs, cats and local interest subjects are also well represented.

The Moroccan Connection

Sleepy Elephant's partner in Morocco, Dr Kay Whittle and her husband Nour Mohamed, are responsible for the exciting and unusual range of fine Moroccan craftsmanship. The artefacts they have chosen include jewellery, mirrors, rugs, slippers and corded work plus antiques and silverwork from the desert nomads.

Textiles, Yarns etc

Sleepy Elephant stocks an ever changing range of hand-made quilts (both new and old), recycled curtains and other furnishing materials, fabric remnants, cushions, knitting yarns and patterns, cotton pieces for patchwork, embroidery wools etc. They are especially pleased to announce that they have been chosen to stock alpaca yarns and kits locally produced in the Cautley valley.