Midges?

Not sure but be prepared, long sleeves, hat and Deet for mosquitoes

Midges are a Scottish beastie. I have never encountered midges in England and spent many years living there before moving to Scotland. Even in Scotland they are only an issue in the Highlands and west coast.

Hi Skyegirl -

There’s definitely an English Midge - every bit as unpleasant as their Scottish relations! I’ve been bitten to bits in the Lake District and the Yorkshire Moors and Dales. They hang out in the same places as their more Northern counterparts and at the same times of day, ie damp, boggy terrain and mainly early mornings and evening (but not exclusively!).. Thus, while they shouldn’t be a problem within the streets of Sedbergh, there’s lots of midge friendly country surrounding the town, so going prepared would be a sensible precaution.

Ian

You can and do find pockets of midges in the Lake District, and in the Howgills. However they are very uncommon (and well off the beaten track), and not the nuisance they are in Scotland.

If you are staying at Sedbergh it is very likely you are with HF Holidays- they have the local knowledge to avoid the very few locations local to Sedbergh where they might be found in certain weather conditions.

By all means be prepared, but you would be pretty unlucky to need such precuations.

I've also been bitten in woodland in Northumberland, Peak District and even in Lincolnshire in the summer months. I'd come prepared with some insect repellent just in case....

My impression of Scottish midges are that they are small but in great numbers. We certainly have midges in England but they tend to be bigger, less of them but very sneaky. You sometimes don't realise you have been bitten until hours later.
You will see them in greater numbers around boggy ground and I have sometimes had to abort a walk on a warm summer day. You can counter them by wearing clothes to cover bare skin, but I have seen them penetrate even thick clothing with their "feeding tube".
I've yet to find a decent repellent but I'll try the recommendation in one of the previous posts.

Ian, I stand corrected. I’ve had the odd bite, but not seen the clouds of the little blighters that we get in Skye and the Highlands. I’ve clearly been lucky on my hikes.

Jacqui

Thanks for the info everyone! Hope I avoid them altogether, but best to be prepared.