WELCOME TO ALSTON ART APARTMENTS

The charming historic town of Alston nestles in the South Tyne Valley in a peaceful rural setting, surrounded by some of the highest hills in the Pennines.  The parish of Alston Moor lies at the centre of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Alston sits at the cross-roads of five historic trans-Pennine routes, including the A686 which was recognised in AA magazine as one of the world’s top ten drives.

Stay in our apartments and discover the “wild heart of Britain”

you can wake up to birdsong

you can breath the fresh air and feel the sense of freedom of our wide open spaces.

The North Pennines is one of the wildest areas of countryside in England. Less well-known than the adjoining Yorkshire Dales to the South or the Lake District to the west, it attracts many artists and other creative people who find inspiration for their work in the surrounding landscape.   Whilst in Alston, make sure you visit the 1611 Ceramics Gallery formerly at Stokoe House, now occupied by the newly established cane workshop , and watch out for the art trail in September.

If you come by car, please don’t just stock up at your local supermarket before you come…but support our local shops ….You can buy most essential everyday needs in Alston and we have an extremely good bakers and wholefood shop, a butcher's, as well as a chemist should you need medicaments or toiletries.  Less than five minutes walk from our cottages are the picturesque market square and cobbled main street, where you will also find traditional pubs with log fires and real ale.  Here we have the best of both worlds – pubs and shops around the corner but splendid open countryside within less than 10 minutes walk.

The North Pennines AONB is also a Geo-Park, the first to be designated in England.   The area’s special geology has created unique habitats supporting a rich variety of wildlife and flora as well as many tumbling upland rivers and waterfalls, one of the most spectacular being High Force on the River Tees near Middleton in Teesdale (less than half an hour away).   In the past the area was one of the most important sources of lead for the cathedrals of Europe and the lead-mining heritage is now interpreted at Visitor Centres at nearby Nenthead Mines and Killhope.

There are many opportunities for walking and cycling in the area.   The Pennine Way and Pennine Cycle Way pass through Alston and the C to C cycle route passes through the parish of Alston Moor.

Alston also has its own narrow gauge railway, The South Tynedale Railway, which runs along the scenic South Tyne Valley to Kirkhaugh.

To find out more about the local area, contact Alston tourist information centre:
e-mail: alston.tic@eden.gov.uk
tel: 01434 382244 

or the North Pennines AONB Partnership

or try  http://www.visitcumbria.com/go.htm