Holiday Accommodation in Alston

Alston: Melmerby 8 miles; Penrith 20 miles; Hexham 22 miles; Carlisle 29 miles. Alston is set in the North Pennines, 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. The North Pennines used to be one of the wealthiest lead mining centres in Europe and you can go down a real lead mine at Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre - 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 and Northumberland within easy reach, this makes a superb base.