Alston
Accommodation
Alston House Hotel
A small hotel at Townfoot in Alston with eight en-suite bedrooms, a restaurant, bar, garden areas and direct booking.
AccommodationBarFood and Drink
England’s highest market town and a Pennine base
Alston
Alston is a small historic market town high in the North Pennines, known for cobbled streets, independent character, mining heritage and access to wild upland scenery.
Know before you go
Your guide to Alston
Alston is a small historic market town high in the North Pennines, known for cobbled streets, independent character, mining heritage and access to wild upland scenery.
Set high above the surrounding valleys, Alston has steep streets, stone buildings and a strong sense of its lead-mining past. Local heritage attractions and the nearby South Tynedale Railway help tell the story of a community shaped by industry, isolation and the Pennine landscape.
Walkers and cyclists can use the town as a base for Alston Moor, the South Tyne valley and routes towards Nenthead and Garrigill. It is a rewarding alternative to the central Lake District, especially for visitors who value open moorland, dark skies and uncrowded trails.
Hand-picked locally
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Alston
Alston
Attraction
South Tynedale Railway
A heritage railway attraction based at Alston station, offering scheduled train rides through the North Pennines with acces...
AttractionHistorical SiteLandmark
Alston
Bar
Walter's Café Bar
An independent café and bar on Front Street in Alston, serving breakfast, lunch, evening meals, coffee, cakes and drinks.
BarCaféFood and Drink
Arrive prepared
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Practical planning
Make the most of Alston
Quick answers for choosing when to go, shaping your stay and getting there without the guesswork.
Best time to visit
May to September gives the broadest choice of walks and attractions; crisp autumn and winter visits suit experienced travellers prepared for upland conditions.
Plan it well
Weather can change quickly at this elevation, even outside winter. Carry suitable layers, check attraction operating days and do not rely on late-opening shops. Mobile coverage can be patchy on surrounding moorland routes.
Getting there
Alston is reached mainly by the A686 and connecting Pennine roads. There is no mainline railway station. Carlisle and Penrith provide the nearest major rail links, followed by bus, taxi or car.
Guide checked and reviewed July 2026Local details can change, so check live travel and opening information before setting off.