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.
Other places of interest within easy reach of Alston:
Weardale (water-powered Killhope Wheel) - Barnard Castle
Self
catering holiday cottages North Pennines & Alston area
North Pennines region general information |
