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The locality of Alston

 

Alston is an old lead mining town in Cumbria, North England UK, there is no lead mining here now but history can be seen all around, so much so that Alston is used for many film / TV settings such as the recent production of Oliver Twist for the BBC of that period.

High up in the North Pennines, Alston claims to be the highest market settlement in England, being about 1000 feet above sea level. It is also remote, about 20 miles from the nearest town. From every direction Alston is approached over a broad, heather-cladded Pennine landscape which has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Set on the upper reaches of the salmon rich River South Tyne, it lies within the Eden valley district of Cumbria.

Alston has a steep cobbled main street with a distinctive market cross, and many stone buildings dating from the 17th Century. Next to the entrance to the main Church, is a building dated 1681. Theold Angel pub is dated 1611 and the white building left of the pub is dated 1687. It is a bustling town, with a reputation for delicious locally made specialities such as Cumberland Mustard, and Alston Cheese, Alston is an ideal base for visiting many areas of the North of England. Although in Cumbria, where the Lake District is, Alston is very close to Northumberland or Northumbria where you can see the awe inspiring Hadrians Wall and a great deal of other Roman history, in both areas there is a plenty of beautiful countryside to be seen, whether walking, biking or driving.

Alstons own railway the South Tyne railway is a preserved steam railway offering timetabled trips throughout the year. Killhope lead mining centre provides ots of interesting information about the lead mining industry which used to be so common around here. Nenthead Heritage Centre gives an interesting insight into the history of the area. There are a number of gift shops and book shops and also the Gossipgate Gallery. Small teashops and pubs offer refreshment for the tourist.

 

 

The Beautiful Eden Valley

 

You will find the Eden valley in a tranquil corner of Cumbria - one of England’s most beautiful counties and a lovely destination for a holiday at any time of year. The clean air and dramatic landscapes will refresh, inspire and rejuvenate anyone who visits, within the beautiful Eden Valley Alston is nestled close to the English Lake District, The Yorkshire Dales National Park and the North Pennines, these 3 areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are all easily accessable within a two-hour drive.

The valley Eden has a vast range of activities - there is so much to choose - from strenuous high mountain paths to gentle riverside strolls, plus golf, sailing, canoeing to exploring the wonderfull Eden valley towns of Appleby, Kirkby Stephen and Sedburgh.

The Eden Valley is increasingly popular with cyclists who enjoy the quiet country lanes and the famous C2C cycle-route. Despite its rural location, there are over seventy visitor attractions in Eden so whether your interests are outdoor activities, fine food, family days out or delving into the area’s unique history, you will find something to suit you.

Cumbria is a unique place of outstanding natural beauty and heritage - and you can discover the magic of the county and its secrets by visiting a wide range of attractions. From traditional museums and heritage sites to stunning landscape and coastal scenery and attraction. Cumbria has something to suit everybody's taste, whatever your age. 

 

 

Hexham, Hadrians Wall and the Scottish Borders

 

Within an easy 30 minute drive of Alston is Hadrians wall and the old border town of Hexham the largest town in West Northumberland standing on the banks of the River Tyne. It is a very ancient ecclesiastical parish in its own right and there are many ancient spellings vaiations of the town's name including Hutoldesham, Hestoldesham, Hextoldesham and Halgutstad. One interpretation is that the names refer to the tributaries to the Tyne which run through the town.

Here you can visit the Benedictine Abbey and church rebuilt in the 12th century. Close to Hexham is the world famous Hadrian's Wall built in AD122 on the orders of the Roman Emperor Hadrian, and stretched from the East to West coasts of Britain, from Bowness on Solway in the West to Wallsend in the East. It is one of the most remarkable unique Roman monuments in the world.

Today, over 1800 years after its construction, Hadrian's Wall still offers spectacular remains for examination. When building the Wall, the Romans made use of the rugged landscape of Northumberland for defensive purposes, and the fact that the countryside has changed little since those times helps to transport the visitor back to those far-off days.In its heyday, Hadrian's Wall was garrisoned by thousands of troops, who watched over the northern horizon from turrets and milecastles placed at regular intervals along the Wall, and lived in a series of more substantial forts at strategic locations. Several of these forts are open to the visitor today, featuring substantial remains and museums and visitor centres of differing sizes and styles, giving an insight into the life lived by a soldier on Rome's northern frontier.

 

 

Keswick and the North Lakes

 

One of many perfect day trips from Alston is to Keswick on Derwentwater situated in the Northern Lake district and covering one half of the Lake District National Park, choose from gentle relaxation to an action packed family adventure with lots of activities and attractions in this area.

The landscape of the Northern Lake District is of spectacular glaciated scenery, ranging from the rugged central volcanic mountains to the smoother outlines and more open countryside if the lakes and villages found along the valley floors. This is a wonderful area in which to try new outdoor activities or to extend your existing skills. Walkers and climbers are spoiled for choice. From the high summits to forest trails and lakeside paths, there are routes suitable for all.

Within such a compact area as the North Lakes it is very easy to explore the neighbouring valleys and secluded places. To the east, for example, you can enjoy the lakeside paths beside Thirlmere. To the west you can explore the delights of Whinlatter mountain forest.

 

 

Carlisle, Dumfries and the Solway Coast

 

To the North West is the ancient border city of Carlisle with its central castle and gardens. Further afield you can easily day trip to Rabbie Burns country Dumfries and the lovely Solway Coast a tidel washed estuary between southwest Scotland and northwest Cumbria.

An area of mud flats and marsh created by bore tides, strong currents and the narrowing of Solway Firth. Here Salmon and Sea trout are caught in nets with the incoming tides and sheep graze in these marshes as they have done for centuries past. The grasses of the salt marsh created by the tides are grow yearly and are breeding ground for ducks and geese.

On the Scottish side (South West corner of Scotland) the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and features some of the most delightfull coastal villages in scotland such as Kirkcudbright and Rockcliffe and on the North West corner of England it stretches from the Scottish Border through Silloth to just North of the historic harbour town of Maryport.

 

"Cormorants, Puffins and Kittiwakes a small selection of Farne Island Wildlife"

 

The Farne Islands, Banburgh Castle and Holy Island

The Farne Islands

 

Another popular day trip is to the Farne Islands, a real adventure and a real treat for nature lovers. The islands lie just off the Northumberland coast between the fishing village of Seahouses and Bamburgh. The Farnes are great for bird watching and consist solely of volcanic igneous rock on the eastern edge of a geological formation called the Whin Sill. After the end of the Ice Age, you could have walked from these islands across to the mainland, but rising sea levels cut them off, making them a great place to enjoy wildlife. The 'Shiel' family (Billy Shiel's father and grandfather) started taking boat trips to the Farne Islands in 1918 - just after the first world war. In those days, after an early morning hauling pots for lobster and crabs, a few keen ornotholgists would ask to be taken over to the Farnes to see the birdlife on the islands. Billy Shiel M.B.E. now operates a fleet of 7 passenger boats each named 'Glad Tidings and numbered from 1-to-7. Over the years they have carried thousands of people over to the Farne Islands from all over the world. Many remark that their trip boat trip with 'Billy Shiel' has been the highlight of their holiday. Passengers come from all walks of life some are national and international celebrities. The Farne Islands and 'Billy Shiel's' boats have featured in many television programmes and newspaper articles.

 

 

Holy Island "Lindisfarne"

 

Also within easy reach a day trip to Holy Island originally known as Lindisfarne and often described as "The Jewel of the Northumberland Coast", is accessible across a causeway at low tide. this delightful, unspoiled, historic island lies just off the extreme Northeast corner of England near Berwick-upon-Tweed. The small population of just over 150 is swelled by the influx of over 500,000 visitors from all over the world every year. In the 7th century it was one of the great seats of Christian learning in Western Europe and was where the beautiful Lindisfarne Gospels were written. Adjacent to the ruins of the Benedictine Priory, destroyed by Henry VIII, is a Visitor Centre commemorating the life of the monks. The stones from the Priory were used to build the unforgettable Lindisfarne Castle. The Lindisfarne Gospels were written in the late 7th century to celebrate the life of St Cuthbert. Holy Island is situated at the heart of the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve. Extensive dunelands, intertidal sand and mud flats, saltmarsh and ancient raised beaches support a wide variety of plant life and attract vast numbers of birds. Lindisfarne versus Holy Island...Locally the island is rarely referred to by its Anglo-Saxon name of 'Lindisfarne'. Following on from the murderous and bloodthirsty attack on the monestary by the Vikings in 793AD, it obtained its local name from the observations made by the Durham monks: 'Lindisfarne - baptised in the blood of so many good men - truly a 'Holy Island'. Its more appropriate title is 'The Holy Island of Lindisfarne'.

Holy Island is the end point of the popular St Cuthbert's Way long distance footpath which begins in Melrose in the Scottish borders. Lindisfarne gained international fame in the 1970's when it was taken as the name of a Tyneside pop band. Their major hits included "Lady Eleanor" and "Fog on the Tyne". The group still plays today and they have their own Lindisfarne residence.

 

 

Bamburgh Castle

 

Bamburgh Castle is probably the finest castle in England. It is perched on a basalt outcrop on the very edge of the North Sea at Bamburgh, Northumberland. It commands stunning views of the Farne Islands, Holy Island and landward to the Cheviot hills. The castle has been extensively restored, first by Lord Crewe in the 1750's and more recently by the first Lord Armstrong at the end of the 19th century. The castle continues to be the home of the Armstrong family. The castle is open to day visitors and parties of 15 or more, from April to October inclusive and well worth a visit on the way to Holy Island or the Farne Islands.

  

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