What to do during your visit
Local Attractions:
  • The South Tynedale Narrow Gauge Railway
  • The lead mining museums of Nenthead & Killhope
  • The HUB transport & local history museum
  • England's highest golf course!
  • Eden Ostrich Farm
  • High Force Waterfall
  • Hadrian's Wall & the Roman Forts of Chesters & Vindolanda
  • The Bowes Museum
  • Many beautiful gardens and historical houses within easy reach. Visit the National Trust & English Heritage websites for more information.
 
Distances/times:
Lake District-
25 miles/35 minutes

Penrith-
20 miles/30 minutes

Hexham-
20 miles/30 minutes

Carlisle-
35 miles/45 minutes

Newcastle-
40 miles/1 hour

Durham-
50 miles/1 hour
Alston is situated in the centre of the North Pennines and is an ideal base from which to explore Cumbria, Northumberland and Durham. See the Visit Cumbria website for more information on Alston and the surrounding area.
 
Alston sits at the crossroads of five historic trans-pennine routes:
  • over Hartside Pass (voted one of the top 10 most scenic routes in the world) with its magnificent views over the Eden Valley to the Lake District
  • through rural unspoilt Northumberland to Hadrians Wall and the historical market towns of Hexham and Corbridge
  • towards Carlisle and the Scottish Borders
  • through Weardale and the Durham Dales
  • over the 'wild' moors of Teesdale to Barnard Castle
It is the ideal walking country, with many footpaths criss-crossing the area, the most famous being the Pennine Way, which passes over Crossfell the highest point of the pennines. The Sustrans PW 68 and C2C 7 cycle ways pass within 400 yards of Greycroft. It is also a haven for bird watchers, flora and fauna enthusiasts and anglers.
 
We also have lots of attraction leaflets for our guests convenience and an excellent Tourist Information Centre in the town centre (15 minutes walk), Tel. 01434 382244, Email. alston.tic@eden.gov.uk