Alston is set in the North Pennines in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, surrounded by a unique landscape of moorland, hills, rivers and waterfalls, and is England’s highest market town. This intriguing town, with its cobbled streets and fascinating nooks and crannies, was the location for ITV’s productions of Jane Eyre and Oliver Twist. Alston and the North Pennines have long inspired artists and writers; the poet and writer W H Auden loved the area and today Alston is an inspiration to the craftspeople who live and work there. There is a host of unusual shops in the town including quality crafts and galleries. Take a ride on one of the lovingly-restored steam and diesel engines through the beautiful scenery of the South Tyne valley on the South Tynedale Railway which runs from Alston through to Slaggyford. The River Tyne is also noted as one of the finest salmon rivers in England and day-ticket fishing is available locally. The North Pennines used to be one of the wealthiest lead mining centres in Europe, and the Killhope Lead Mining Museum offers a great family day out with interactive exhibitions. With the drive along the A686 recognised by the AA as one of the world’s best drives, and northern Cumbria, County Durham and Northumberland, all within easy reach, this makes a superb base.
