Alston
a potted history
Alston claims to be the highest market town in England and from every direction is approached over a broad, heather clad Pennine landscape which has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Alston has a fine reputation for art galleries and craftspeople, it's a tremendous place to wander around and look at crafts & art works in the various galleries and shops. With cobbled streets, interesting shops and cafes the town has been the 'star' of the recent TV program 'Oliver Twist'. Alston and its surrounding villages grew prosperous as a result of the lead mining industry most of which has now disappeared but remains can still be spotted if you look close enough. The town has developed into a thriving service centre but the interesting 17th and 18th century architecture still remains along with the interesting flagged lanes of 'The Butts'.
places of interest
South Tynedale Railway - take a ride on one of the steam or diesel trains of England's highest narrow gauge railway through the beautiful South Tyne valley, manned by volunteers and boasting a beautifully restored Victorian station complete with gift shop and cafe.
Hartside Nursery - situated a short distance out of Alston is this fascinating garden centre specialising in rare and unusual hardy and alpine plants.
eating places
Chesters - tel: 01434382844 - Chesterscumbria1@aol.com - situated opposite the town hall
Offering a day time menu Wednesday to Friday 10-4 and evening menu on Friday and Sat 6-9pm. Booking is advised during the summer months. We also offer a takeaway and packed lunch service with a wide range of homemade ready meals including traditional indian curries. We use local produce where ever possible and have 100% Lakeland Beef.
The Moody Baker - a recently opened bakery and shop. Run by a workers cooperative dedicated to producing great tasting food, specialising in wholefood and vegetarian fayre. They have also mastered an "ENERGY BAR" specifically with coast to coasters in mind.
cycle shops
Mike Fearn - (Nenthead) Tel: 01434 382194 Mobile: 07776 098 915
Blacksmith who has a stock of spares, will also repair your bike and if possible also operates a rider/bike recovery service.
route features
Although not on the traditional route as such, Alston is an official alternative to the Garrigill section and is an excellent place to rest your weary legs after the gruelling ascent of Hartside. With plenty of eating and drinking establishments as well as a good choice of accommodation to choose from a lot of C2C'ers decide to spend the night here. After the climb to the top of Hartside there is a brilliant downhill stretch of 5 miles for you to recover from your exertions but if you are staying in Alston remember to stay on the A686 and ignore the C2C signing to Leadgate and Garrigill on the right. To get back on the route in the morning you can either retrace your steps for 2 miles before rejoining the route proper or head to Garrigill via the B6277 to meet up with the route there before heading to Nenthead. Alternatively take the A689 road directly to Nenthead and begin the climb up to Black Hill.
Accommodation
Run by: Victoria Inn
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.
Email : victoriainncumbria@talk21.com
Rooms : 2S, 2D, 2F
B&B : £23-£30
Evening meal : Full Indian restaurant. Also doing takeaway. Sunday roasts.
Packed lunch : from £3.50
Run by: Alston House
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.
Web : www.alstonhouse.co.uk
Email : info@alstonhouse.co.uk
Rooms : 1D, 3T, 1F
B&B : £35-£45
Evening meal : 6-9pm £8-£18
On route : Fully licensed
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Run by: The Cumberland Inn
Voted CAMRA Pub of the Year for the 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.
Web : www.cumberlandinnalston.co.uk
Email : stay@cumberlandinnalston.co.uk
Rooms : 2D, 1F, 2tpl
B&B : £32-£38
Evening meal : £6-£15
Packed lunch : £4.50
VisitBritain 3-star :
Run by: YHA Alston
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.
Fax : 01434 382401
Web : www.yha.org.uk
Email : alston@yha.org.uk
Rooms : 2X2, 2X4, 3X6 (bunkrooms)
Bed : from £13.95
Breakfast : £4.65 trad English
Evening meal : £10 for 3 courses
Packed lunch : £4 or £5.10
Secure cycle storage : On route
Pub : 5 minute walk
Run by: Lowbyer Manor Country House
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.
Web : www.lowbyer.com
Email : stay@lowbyer.com
Rooms : 1S, 5D, 2T, 1F
B&B : £33-£55
Packed lunch : £5
Distance from C2C : Under 1km. Same for pub.
AA 4 star guest house : Secure cycle storage. Drying facilities
Run by: Alston Wholefoods
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: Alston Training & Adventure Centre
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.
Web : www.alstontraining.co.uk
Email : alstontraining@btconnect.com
Rooms : 10 sleeping 3 or more with total of 45 beds. 2 en-suite shower rooms
Bed : £12 (bedding extra £4)
Breakfast : £5.50
Evening meal : £8.50
Packed lunch : £3.50
Camping : £4
Distance from route : 1.5 miles on Nenthead-Garrigill road. 1 mile off-road
Pub I mile :
Run by: Deneholme
Exclusive use guaranteed for all groups at this comfortable and stylish Edwardian country manor house on the edge of the village of Allendale. The new owner Tony Becks will be running a shuttle service to Allenheads to pick up groups. Allendale is nine miles north east of Alston and about eight north of Allenheads and many might be tempted to cross Hexhamshire Common to Blanchland and the Derwent Reservoir, but this is not an option for fainthearts! There is another option: the B6295. Three Star accommodation set in five acres of woodlands, Deneholme is comfortably kitted out and is the sort of place you might wish to stop at for more than one night. There is an in-house chef and the house is all yours. Minimum number: 12.
Web : www.deneholme.com or www.beckstraining.co.uk
Email : tony@beckstraining.co.uk
Rooms : 5T, 3S, 1D, 2F
B&B : 20 persons or more £35; 15-20 - £40; 12-15 - £45
DB&B : 20 perons or more - £45.50; 15-20 - £50.50 - 12-15 - £55.50.
Distance from route : 7 miles - demands a detour out of Alston into prime AONB
Secure lock up : Pubs nearby. Great for groups
Prices include VAT : 3 star accommodation
Five acres of grounds : Exclusive use guaranteed to all groups