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
Alston Moor Observatory
Community observatory at Alston Moor Golf Club, giving visitors a base for astronomy events under the dark North Pennines s...
Attraction
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
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
See all 1 car park →Parking in Alston
Dates for your diary
All Alston events →What’s on in Alston
Upcoming events connected to Alston, ordered by the next available date.
Stargazing
Alston Moor ObservatoryFri 30 Oct
Alston Moor Stargazing 2026
A telescope talk, observatory visit and guided stargazing evening at Alston Moor Golf Club on Friday 30 October 2026.
Adults £12; ages 8-18 £8Alston Moor StargazingFamily friendly
Local stories & guides
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News, reviews and useful reads linked to places and events around the destination.
Cumbria Dark Skies Festival 2026: Events, Stargazing & Visitor Guide
Cumbria Dark Skies Festival runs from 23 October to 20 November 2026. Compare stargazing, canoeing, astronomy and night-time events around Cumbria.