Alston - North Pennines
Said to be the highest market town in England at a height of circa 1,000 feet (300 metres) above sea level, Alston is a great place from which to visit the surrounding areas of Cumbria, Hadrian's Wall country, the Eden Valley and Lake District.
Its cobbled main street inclining up a steep hill makes it one of the most characterful towns in the region and it has some well known pubs and coffee houses serving some of the best food in the area. Alston's key historical significance is in that of mining - lead, silver, zinc, coal and fluorspar - although the last mines closed in the 1950s. Farming and tourism are now the main industries of the town.
Photograph courtesy of David Gearing
Other places of interest within easy reach of Alston:
Weardale (water-powered Killhope Wheel) - Barnard Castle
Cottages Alston, Cottages North Pennines