Folk in both Nenthead and Allenheads - the next port of call - claim to live in England's highest village. I would be interested to know definitively which is the higher. Either way, Nenthead is 500m above sea level and has a colder climate than Aberdeen. It does seem incredible that only 300 million years ago it was on the equator.

The village was purpose-built for mining in 1825 by the Quaker Lead Company. In addition to housing they provided a reading room, wash-house, public baths and a school for the 1500 employees in the Methodist stronghold. At weekends they ran smallholdings and this way of life lasted for more than 100 years. A decorative fountain in the middle of the village serves as a memorial to R.W.Bainbridge Esq, superintendent of the mine company.

Falling markets destroyed the community, with cheap imports leading to a collapse in prices, and many families emigrated to the USA and Australia at the end of the 19th century. Zinc mining continued until the 1940s and Nenthead Mines eventually closed its last pit in 1961.

The Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre is a must. They have brought to life the old workings on this 200 acre site and have helped breath life into a village that history somehow forgot. You can even do some mineral panning and visit the sites on self-guided trails. 01434 382294

Killhope Lead Mining Centre is off the A689 5km east of Nenthead. Underground visits possible April - October. 01388 537505.

BICYCLE REPAIRS

Mark Fearn - the village blacksmith also repairs bikes, stocks spares and will do a breakdown and recovery service if needed 01434 382194 or 07776 098 915.Email: mark@fearn2620.freeserve.co.ukwww.markfearn.co.uk.

EATING

Anyone stopping off here might consider eating at the Overwater Lodge Restaurant (01434 381271) where Julie Hance serves some fine organic fare. You can get monkfish medallions with chorizo sausage and baby corn in a white wine reduction. You can also get a sandwich. The wine list is serious. This is a real find and long may it stay put.

The Miner's Arms serves draught beer and solid sustenance. You can get an evening meal for around a tenner.

16. Nenthead		Back to
Tim Haldon		Mill Cottage Bunkhouse, Nenthead, Alston, Cumbria CA9 3PD
Tel		01434 382 726 / 382 037
Fax		01434 382 043
Web		www.npht.com
Email		bunkhouse@npht.com
Beds		18
PPPN		£12
Distance from C2C		On route. Pub nearby
Drying facilities and secure lock-up		Yes
Packed lunch		No

Assay House and Mill Cottage bunkhouses are situated at the Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre. Assay House sleeps up to 12 and has a kitchen diner. Mill Cottage sleeps six in beds styled like ship's cabin bunks, with curtains across for privacy and small internal light and shelf. Assay House was once the laboratory of the Assay Master, who analysed ore samples to determine their lead and silver content. Both bunkhouses are available for group bookings and there is a cafe on site and a pub in the village. Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and in the 19th century was part of one of the largest lead and silver mining and processing areas in the country. Neanthead is in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is an ideal hub for those wishing to explore the North Pennines. There are walks as well as the C2C passing the front door.

Joan Aves		Avesgarth B&B, 13 Hillersdon Terrace, Nenthead, Alston, CA9 3PG
Tel		01434 382 656
Web		avesgarth.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk
Email		joan@aves.freeserve.co.uk
Rooms		1S, 1D 1T, 1F.
B&B		£20. U-12s half-price.
Packed Lunch		£3.75
Distance from C2C		On route. 3 mins from pub.

Family run non-smoking B&B right on the route with secure cycle store and open all year.

Helen Patterson		Nent Hall Country House Hotel & Farmhouse B&B, Nent Hall, CA9 3LQ
Tel		01434 381584
Web		www.nenthall.com
Email		info@nenthall.com
Rooms		Farmhouse: 3D, 1 family suite (up to 6),
		Hotel: 2D, 3T, 6 four poster, 2 superior 4-poster, five room suite
B&B		Farmhouse: £35.
B&B		From £34.50. See also online deals.
Evening Meals		Bar meals from £8 - £15. Restaurant: 3 courses from £25.
Packed lunch		By arrangement

This splendid setting just off the A689 Alston to Nenthead road, about 1.5 miles west of Nenthead. There are some great online deals at the hotel, whilst there are five double rooms across the lane at the Farmhouse B&B. Cycle friendly and stylish, good looking at real prices and affordable country house accommodation.

Crookbank Cottage B&B		Russ & Pam Hildreth Crookbank Cottage, Nenthead, Alston, Cumbria CA9 3LN
tel		01434 381226
e-mail		penninecrag@msn.com
rooms		1 Family room – 1 double bed.1 single bed and 1 put up bed.
months open		all Year
B & B		£ 25.00 P/P/P/N - or as a family £ 75.00.
packed lunch		(book in advance) £ 4.50.
non-smoking		yes
secure cycle parking		yes
distance from route		on route
distance from pub		Miners Arms (C2C stamping post) about half a mile.
evening meal		(book in advance) from £ 5.50 to £ 15.00 for a three course.

Formerly known as Foulard it is the birth place of Millican Dalton in 1867, the eccentric professor of adventure. John Wesley preached here before the Methodist chapels were built when he visited Alston and Nenthead. We have at the moment one Family room with TV, Play Station 2 with games and DVD films, tea/coffee making facilities. Modern bathroom downstairs with walk in shower , bath and shaver point. Full English breakfast is served in the wood panelled dining room. We are situated right on the c2c route and have a large off road parking area and a secure cycle lock-up.

Hellen Sherlock		Nenthead, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3PD
Telephone		01434 381434
Rooms		5D, 2S
B & B		doubles £22.50 pppn, singles £25 pppn
Secure cycle parking		yes
Laundry facilities		available
Public House (The Miners' Arms)		3 minutes
Distance from route		Adjacent to the A689 - 40 Yards

Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast

Pauline Elliott		Orchard House, Mohope, Ninebanks, Hexham, Northumberland NE47 8DQ
Tel		01434 345288
Web		www.yha.ninebanks.co.uk
Email		ninebanks@yha.org.uk
Rooms		26 beds in 5 rooms; 2 en-suite
Beds		YHA prices - £10 and £7 for u-18s.
Open all year round		Secure cycle storage
Distance from route: 6 miles		Pub: 5 miles

YHA in former lead miners cottage now available to non YHA members. Self catering. Licensed premises. Full catering service for pre-booked groups. Book a bed, a room or the whole hostel. Comfortable year round accommodation. Six miles from Coalcleugh and seven from Alston along the A686 Hexham road. Coalcleugh - 7 from Alston