Alston lies within the North Pennines in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, set on the upper reaches of the River South Tyne. It lies within the Eden District of Cumbria.
Alston is a quaint town built around a steep cobbled street, with a distinctive Market Cross in the centre. It has many stone buildings dating from the 17th century.
Location
The town is almost at the centre point of the UK, it has Newcastle (44 miles) to the east and Carlisle (28 miles) to the west. The M6 is 19 miles away at Penrith and the A1 is 41 miles away at Scotch Corner. The city of Durham, and local towns of Hexham and Barnard Castle are only a short drive away.
Between Alston and Penrith the road climbs the Hartside Pass to a height of 1904 ft from where there are magnificent views across the Eden Valley towards the Lake District and as far away as the Solway Firth to Scotland. This also forms part of the C2C cycle route. Lake Ullswater in the beautiful Lake District is just over half an hour’s drive away.
The A686 from Penrith in Cumbria to Corbridge in Northumberland, passes through Alston and was chosen by the AA Magazine as one of their ‘Ten Great Drives’.
Scenery
Alston and nearby villages of Garrigill and Nenthead, (known as Alston Moor) offers rugged scenery, wide open spaces and a friendly local community. It has a population of just over 2000 people and has good facilities for children. There is a Nursery, a Primary School and a Secondary School. There is a Golf Course, a Cottage Hospital, a Care home for the elderly, a Vet’s surgery, several pubs and hotels and two churches – St. Augustine’s and St Wulstan’s Catholic Church, shared with the Methodists. The main local businesses are expanding creating employment for the area. Alston is a popular tourist area, with local attractions, shops, tea-rooms, lovely country walks, grouse moors, fishing, great views and friendly people.