Alston
Directions
Up Hartside, and back down again
Whichever way you go, it is a hard climb from Little Salkeld but at the top awaits Hartside Café, a (motor)bikers' haven. At 580 metres (1900 feet), it is the highest tea shop in England and on a fine day you can see across the Solway Firth to Scotland. The views of the Eden Val ey are terrific: not for nothing was the drive along the A686 voted one of the ten best in the world by the AA. Your climb is rewarded by one of the best sections of downhil in the North West, as the route plunges 1,000 feet into Alston. Near the bottom of Benty Hil there is a road on the right heading towards Leadgate and Garrigill. You have a choice - take it, or continue the delirious descent along the A686 until you get to the handsome town of Alston, perched on the edge of the Pennines.
About the village
Picture perfect legacy of the lead mines
Alston sits at 280m (919 feet) above sea level and is supposedly the highest market town in England. Picture-postcard-pretty and a firm favourite with outdoor types, it lies in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), a solid bastion of civilisation on the edge of one of Britain's greatest areas of wilderness.
Once a centre for Cumberland wrestling, cattle fairs and races, Alston is unspoilt by developers and has cobbled streets, 17th century shops and pubs that hark back to a former age. Natural y it is a magnet for film makers; Oliver Twist was shot here for television - there is even an Oliver Twist trail - and Dickens himself visited in the 1830s to research Nicholas Nickleby.
The town, formed around the confluence of the South Tyne and Nent rivers, owes much to lead mining, started by the Romans before the Quakers set up the London Lead Mining Company in the 18th century. The Mines Heritage Centre has more information. The mines and their machinery are silent but the scattered hil farms recal how mining families grew crops to subsidise their meagre wages.
Langwathby to Allenheads
The heather-clad moors, fells and valleys are alive with curlews, lapwings, peewits, peregrines and grouse, while deer and red squirrel roam this natural fastness.
There is some fine cycling across Alston Moor before you get to Nenthead. You can either take the B6277 past Garrigil or take the more direct A689.
Places to eat
Alston Wholefoods, Front Street (next to Angel pub), Alston.
Run by: Sarah Sawyer
This is a workers' co-operative which stocks delicious local products (and candles), specialising in organic and Fair Trade. Good beers and wines, gourmet ice creams. 01434 381588 www.cybermoor.org
Alston House is now in the hands of seasoned chef, Michael Allchorne 01434 382200
Blueberry's in the Market Place - good meals, snacks and afternoon tea. See below for details 01434 381928.
The Cumberland Hotel - see entry 01434 381875.
The Moody Baker - artisan bakery owned by a workers' co- operative specialising in delicious pies, quiches etc and originators of the high-energy Moody Baker Biker Bar 01434 382003. The Cumbrian Pantry, Front St. Good home baking. 01434 381406
Places of Interest
Tourist Information Centre: Town Hall, Front St. 01434 382244.
South Tynedale Railway Station: England's highest narrow-gauge track runs along 2.5 miles of former British Rail track. There is a tea room at the old station. Runs every weekend April - October plus some weekends in December, and daily during August. 01434 381696 or, for the talking timetable 01434 382828.
Hartside Nursery Garden: on route one mile from Alston. Rare and unusual alpine plants. 01434 381372.
The Hub, Station Unit, opposite rail station, Alston. Local history museum with eclectic mix. Entry by donation, run by volunteers. 01434 382244.
Accommodation
| Victoria Inn, Front St, CA9 3SE | |
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Friendly, family run B&B right in the centre of Alston. Warm, clean and comfortable accommodation offering everything you need. Accepts all major credit cards. Having briefly closed its doors as a pub, the Victoria is now serving again. |
Run by: Steve & Tian Smith 
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Tel : 01434 381194 |
Rooms : 2S, 2D, 2F |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Alston House, Townfoot, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3RN | |
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Good food in an attractive setting boasting some fine real ales. Can take groups of up to 17. There's a drying room and safe cycle storage. Michael & Carole have long experience in the catering business and have refurbished the rooms and bathrooms. Roaring fires in the winter. |
Run by: Michael & Carole Allchorne 
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Tel: 01434 382200 |
Rooms : 1D, 3T, 1F |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| The Cumberland Inn, Townfoot, Alston, Cumbria CA9 3HX | |
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For the 2nd year on the trot, voted CAMRA Pub of the Year (Solway region). All rooms en-suite, bike storage, drying/cleaning facilities. Only stamping point in Alston. Choice of traditional cask ales and home cooked food. Family run. |
Run by: Guy & Helen Harmer 
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Tel : 01434 381875 |
Rooms : 2D, 1F, 2tpl |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| YHA Alston, The Firs, Alston, Cumbria CA9 3RW | |
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YHA Alston, a 30 bedded Youth Hostel provides 3 star affordable dormitory accommodation in the heart of Alston. All bed linen and towels provided. Hot showers and excellent washing and drying facilities. Superb selection of meals or self-catering option. Open all year round. |
Run by: Phil Webster 
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Tel : 01434 381509 or 07968 132881 |
Rooms : 2X2, 2X4, 3X6 (bunkrooms) |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Lowbyer Manor Country House, Hexham Rd, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3JX | |
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Grade II listed manor house in the heart of a UNESCO Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The C2C passes close by as well as several circular routes around the Alston area. |
Run by: Richard & Laura Elston 
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Tel : 01434 381230 |
Rooms : 1S, 5D, 2T, 1F |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Alston Wholefoods, Front Street, Alston. | |
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This is a workers' co-operative which stocks delicious local products (and candles), specialising in organic and Fair Trade. Good beers and wines, gourmet ice creams. Moved in 2009 to just above the market square. |
Run by: Sarah Sawyer 
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Tel: 01434 381588 |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Alston Training & Adventure Centre, High Plains Lodge, Alston, Cumbria CA9 3DD. | |
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Ideal for campers or group bookings, though Alston Adventure Centre will accommodate individuals or small groups under the right circumstances. This is the ideal half-way stopping place, overlooking the Alston Valley with stunning views. Warm comfortable dormitories, lashings of food, a superb cooked breakfast, self-catering or camping option available. |
Run by: Dave Simpson 
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Tel : 01434 381886 |
Rooms : 10 sleeping 3 or more with total of 45 beds. 2 en-suite shower rooms |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| High Keenley Fell Farm, Allendale, Hexham, NE47 9NU | |
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Out in the rolling hills to the north of the route, ideal for those who are okay about going off-piste from the well trodden route, High Keenley Fell Farm is in a stunning position in the beautiful Allen Valley. Keenley has wonderful views across to Hadrian's Wall Country and up to the Scottish Borders. The B&B rooms are in an attractive, recently converted, traditional Northumbrian stone barn set round a courtyard. |
Run by: Caroline Maclean 
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Tel: 01434 618344 Mob: 07765 001005
Web: www.highkeenleyfarm.co.uk Email: stay@highkeenleyfarm.co.uk |
Rooms : 3D/T B&B : from £30 pp
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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