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A Sense of PlaceHandbook

alston moor

The European Agricultural Fund for Regional Development:Europe Investing in Rural Areas

Supported in partnership by: Funding Partner:

2

contents

SCENERY & ENVIRONMENT 4Views 4Riverwalks 5Waterfalls 5Usergroups 5

WILDLIFE & NATURE 6Habitats 6Wildlife 6Wheretoseewildlife 7Naturalqualities 8

Usergroups 8

HISTORY & HERITAGE 9Prehistory 9Romans 9Medieval 9Industrialheritage 9Transport 10Churchheritage 10Usergroups 10

ART & CRAFTS 11Studiosandcraftoutlets 11Coursesandevents 12Usergroups 12

FOOD & DRINK 13Localproduce 13Wheretobuylocalproduce 13Localeateries 13–15

Usergroups 15

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES 16Shows,festivals&galas 16Craftfairs 16Farmers’markets 17Localmusic 17Otherevents 17Courses 17Activities 18–20Usergroups 21

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introduction

WHAT IS ‘SENSE OF PLACE’?

How you can use Sense of Place?

How to use this handbook

‘Sense of place’ is a concept that is defined through accumulating knowledge of a place – its history, geography, geology, flora and fauna, culture and other attributes.

AlstonMooriswhollywithintheNorthPenninesAreaofOutstandingNaturalBeauty(AONB)andwithinCumbriaand,assuch,its‘senseofplace’isverydifferenttoneighbouringareas.Itsdistinctivequalitiesaredeeplyrootedinthegeology,historyandcommunityspiritofthearea.Thisismanifestedinspectacularuplandscenery,asenseofremotenessandspace,andan‘earthy’attachmenttothelandthroughtheduallivelihoodsoffarmingandmining.

Anethosofself-sufficiencyoverseveralgenerationshasledtoastrongindependentstreakamongtheinhabitantsofAlstonMoortoday.Thishasdrivenentrepreneurialactivityandledtotheestablishmentofmanycommunity-focusedenterprisessuchasEpiacumHeritage,AlstonAspire,MoodyBaker,AlstonWholefoods,Cybermoor,AlstonCraftworkers,seasonalshowsandgalasand,historically,astrongspiritofNon-Conformistworship.

Perhapsyou’rewonderingwhatthismeanstoyourbusiness,but‘senseofplace’isaboutusinglocalresourcestoimproveyourmarketability.Everylocalityhasdistinctivequalitiesthatmakeitspecialinsomeway.Byrecognisingandvaluingthesequalities,tourismbusinessescanusethemtoimprovetheirmarketingandpromotionalactivities.Visitorswhoareprovidedwithlocalinformation(andfriendlyencounters)oftendevelopanaffinitywiththeirholidayenvironmentthatcanresultinrepeatvisits.

ThishandbookistheresultoftheaccumulationoflocalknowledgegeneratedataSenseofPlaceworkshopheldinGarrigillVillageHallon15March2013LedbyAnnaGray,BlueBadgeGuide.

Itisnotintendedtobeanall-encompassingcompendiumofwhattoseeanddointhearea,butratherareflectionoftheconsiderablematerialgatheredfromlocalpeopleandbusinessesonthatday.

Underthebroadcategoriesof Scenery & Environment,Wildlife & Nature, History & Heritage, Art & Crafts, Food & Drink,andEvents & Activities aresuggestionsofplacestovisitandthingstodo.Theaddedquotes,intendedtoconjureupperceptionsoflocalplacesandactivities,weremadebyparticipantsattheworkshop.

Attheendofeachsectionisasummaryofplaces/events/activitiesthataresuitablefordifferentusergroups,asidentifiedbyparticipantsattheworkshop.AlltheplacesmentionedcanbefoundonOrdnanceSurveymaps(1:25,000scale)OL31(NorthPennines)andOL43(Hadrian’sWall).

WehopeyouenjoyreadingthehandbookandthatitwillbecomeanindispensableresourceoflocalinformationtohelpyouprovideyourvisitorswithanenhancedexperienceofAlstonMoor.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

TheNorthPenninesAONBhasdetailedinformationonalltheabovesitesandproducesarangeofliteratureontheheritageofthearea.

Tel: 01388528801

Email: [email protected]

Websites: www.northpennines.org.ukor

www.explorenorthpennines.org.uk

ForinformationonAlstonMooringeneral,contact:AlstonTouristInformationCentre

Tel: 01434382244.

Email: [email protected].

Websites: www.golakes.co.uk www.nurturelakeland.org

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Scenery and Environment

• Top of Mount Hooley–‘youcanseealmostallofAlstonMoorfromhere’

• Three Fells Walk–CrossFell,LittleDunFell,GreatDunFell

• Views from Hartside, Killhope Cross and Yad Moss –‘delightfulpanoramassuddenlyopenupinfrontofyou’

• Mea Sike on Hartside road –lookingtowardsBlackBurnandCrossFell;‘viewofBlagillinmorningsunlight’

• Dryburn Common–withtwochimneyssilhouettedagainstCheviots

• Alston Town on a grey, cold, smoky day–‘nowhereelsequitelikeit!’

• Descending Hartside –‘classic!’

• Gilbert Ward sculpture–atTynehead;‘asceneoflandscapetransition’

• Crook Burn–‘diverselandscapewithlayeredrocks’

• High Cup Nick -onPennineWayaboveDufton

• Cow Green Reservoir–inUpperTeesdale

• All the high routes–‘feelontopoftheworld’

• Garrigill at midnight on a clear winter’s night–‘cosmic’

• Sky at night –‘puresilenceexceptforwildlife’, ‘joyofwonderfulstarrynights’

• White frosts on the top of Killhope Cross

• Moor House –‘lonely’

• Ayleside Road–‘view,calm,sheep,wind’

• Cross Fell –‘dramatic’

TheunderlyinggeologyisthebasisofthespectacularsceneryofAlstonMoorandsurroundingareasoftheNorthPennines.Thisbeautifullandscapehasitsfoundationinlayersoflimestone,sandstoneandshalewhichhavebeenshapedbyiceandwatertocreatebroadhills,wildopenmoorsandtumblingwaterfalls.ThehardwhinstoneoftheWhinSilladdsanotherdramaticaspecttothelandscapeinUpperTeesdaleandalongtheescarpment.AlstonMoor’slonghistoryofminingforleadoreandothermineralshasleftarichlegacyofminingremainsdottedaroundthehills.ItisnowonderthattheNorthPenninesAONBwasBritain’sfirstEuropeanGeopark.

Whatevertheseasonandweather,AlstonMoordeliversconstantlychangingscenesofstarkbeautysetagainstaruggedbackdropofsweepingmoorlands,sparklingwatersandbigopenskies.

VIEWS

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• TopofMountHooley

• ViewsfromHartside,KillhopeCrossandYadMoss

• DryburnCommon

• GilbertWardsculpture

• CowGreenReservoir

• GossipgatetoBlagillalongRiverNent

• AlstontoGarrigillriverwalk

• GarrigilltoTyneheadriverwalk

• RandalholmetoKirkhaugh

• AshgillForce

• HighNentForce

• SevenSistersWaterfall

IDEAL FOR ADVENTUROUS TYPES

• ThreeFellsWalk



• HighCupNick

• AlstontoGarrigillriverwalk

• CrossFell

• AshgillForce

• HighNentForce

• Ashgill Force –‘amagicalplacewhereyoucanwalkbehindthewaterfall’

• High Nent Force –‘atranquilplacebesidethewaterfall’

• Clarghyll Force –‘arealhiddengemwithlimestoneanddramaticfalls’

• Waterfall at Whinsill (Tynehead)–‘intimatebutspectacular’

WATERFALLS

• Alston to Garrigill along South Tyne River– ‘fossils,waterfalls,wildflowermeadows, trees,wildlife’

• Gossipgate to Blagill along River Nent –‘magical’;‘alovelywalkalongtheriver’

• Gossipgate–‘wherethecaresofthedayjustmeltaway’

• Randalholme to Kirkhaugh–alongtheriver;‘riversounds’

• Whitesyke Mine along gill–SouthTyneValley;‘quiet,wildlife’

• Garrigill to Tynehead –alongSouthTyneRiver

• Upper Teesdale river walk

• Allenbanks

RIVER WALKS

• CowGreenReservoir

• GossipgatetoBlagillalongRiverNent

• AshgillForce

• HighNentForce

• SevenSistersWaterfall

• Allenbanks

GREAT FOR FAMILIES

PERFECT FOR COUPLES

• TopofMountHooley



• HighCupNick

• GarrigilltoTyneheadriverwalk

• AshgillForce

• HighNentForce

RECOMMENDED FOR TRANQUILLITY LOVERS

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Wildlife & Nature

• Summer hay meadows –‘thesheervarietyandjoyofcolour’(floweringtimeMay–July)

• Moorlands–‘lovelypurpleheathers’

• Blanket bog

• Ash woodlands

• Limestone grasslands

• Gills –‘transitionsfromsourcetoconfluence’;‘secretplaces’

• Fairhill –‘amixofhabitats–grassandpondswithfrogsandnewts’

• Open spaces – ‘forquietcontemplationand

observationofhowtheworldworks’

WILDLIFE

• The sheer variety of birdlife

• Curlews –‘soundsoftheNorthumbrianpipes’;‘means

springisnearlyhere’

• Buzzards at Blackcleugh–‘mewingandcircling’

• Lapwings –‘thesoundsandtheamazingaerobatics;

bringslandtolife’

• Golden plover –‘beautiful,mournfulsound’

• Hares–alongtheHudgill

• Deer –atWhitsike,BlagillandFiddlerStreet

• Lizards–atthewaterfallbelowBlagillontheRiver

Nentandabove1200ftcontour–‘alwaysasurprise’

• Salmon –migratingupourriverstospawn

• The Goat Field(oppositeGossipgateGallery)–

‘Fabulousgoatswithattitude’

AlstonMoor’sremoteanddiverseenvironmentsareahavenforsomeofBritain’srarestplantsandanimals.ThestunninglandscapesofAlstonMooraremadeupofheather-cladmoorlands,peatbogs,limestonegrasslands,woodlandsandrivervalleys–formingadiversemosaicofhabitatsforspeciestoflourishwithin.

Theextensiveopenmoorlandsarehometouplandbirdssuchasblackgrouse,goldenplovers,merlinsandshort-earedowls,whilerarealpineplantsclingoninnichehabitats.Peatbogsareaninternationallyimportantecosystemand‘carbonstore’,withoveraquarterofallEngland’suplandpeatbogscontainedsolelywithintheNorthPenninesAONB.

Traditionally-managedhaymeadowsareariotofcolourinJuneandJuly,attractingnumerousinsectsandbirds.Ashwoodlands,notablefortheirrichgroundflora,carpetthedales;whilejuniperscrubsurvivesinisolatedpockets.Theclearriversarehometootters,watervoles,dippers,herons,kingfishers,salmonandbrowntrout.Redsquirrelsanddeercanalsobespottedwithintheconiferousplantationsthatformanothervitalelementinthelandscapecharacterofthearea.

Withsuchadiversearrayofhabitatsandwildlife,it’snotsurprisingthattheNorthPenninesattractsnatureloversallyearround.

HABITATS

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• Firs Walk–‘greatforredsquirrels’

• Fidler’s Street–‘mountainpansies’

• Hagg’s Bank, Nentsbury–‘flora-richgrassland’

• The HushNenthead–‘flora&fauna,wildmushrooms,redsquirrelsandthe“frogger”pond’

• South Tyne River –‘waders,oystercatchers,wildducks,dippers’;‘thesoothingsoundoftheriver’

• Mount Hooley Woods–‘squirrels’;‘views’;‘sphagnummoss’

• Lowbyer Manor Country HouseAlston–‘redsquirrelsandroedeeregularlyvisit’www.lowbyer.com

• Fairhill–‘amixofroughgrass,lawnsandpondswithfrogsandnewts’

• Above Clinty Brow –‘lapwingsandcurlewsnestingontops’

• Gilderdale Burn–‘curlewscalling,andthesoundofthebreezeinthegrass’

• Randalholme to Kirkhaugh –‘wonderfulwalkalongtheriverside’;‘greatfordippers’;‘farmandriversounds’;quiet,beautifulscenery’;‘chancetoseedeerandredsquirrels’

• Clarghyll Wood –‘roedeer’

• Whitesike –‘owlsandhares’;‘badgers’

• Tynehead and Epiacum(WhitleyCastleRomanFort)–‘goodplacestoseeblackgrouse’

• South Tyne Trail–‘changinglandscapes’

• Cemeteries–‘wonderfultrees,peacefulplaces’

• Moorhouse National Nature Reserve–‘forrarearcticalpineflora’www.naturalengland.org.uk

• Bowlees Visitor Centre(UpperTeesdale)–‘agreatbasetodiscoverthenaturalenvironmentofUpperTeesdale’www.bowleesvisitorcentre.org.uk

WHERE TO SEE WILDLIFE

• Allenbanks and Staward Gorge–‘ancientwoodlandsalongthebanksoftheRiverAllen’www.nationaltrust.org.uk/allen-banks-and-staward-gorge

• Geltsdale RSPB reserve –‘wildfells,stunningviews,peacefulwalksunderbigskies’www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/g/geltsdale

• Killhope Lead Mining Museum–‘oneofthebestplacestoseeandfindoutmoreaboutredsquirrels’www.killhope.org.uk

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• Fairhill

• Hagg’sBank,Nentsbury

• SouthTyneTrail

• ClarghyllWood

• MountHooleyWoods

• TheHush,Nenthead

• AllenbanksandStawardGorge


• MoorhouseNNR

• WiddybankFellNatureTrail,CowGreenReservoir

• BowleesVisitorCentre,UpperTeesdale

PERFECT FOR COUPLES

• GilderdaleBurn



• MoorhouseNNR



• Fairhill



• MoorhouseNNR

NATURAL QUALITIES

• ‘Skyatnight–puresilenceexceptforwildlife’

• ‘Joyofwonderfulstarrynights’

• ‘Openspacesforcontemplationandclose

observationtogainabetterunderstandingofhow

theworldworks’

• ‘Underworld–placeswheresky,waterandearth

merge’

• ‘ThecottongrassontopofKillhopeandWhitfield

Commonmakesmesmile’

• ‘Thesoundoffrogsspawningthengoingquietwhen

youapproach’

• ‘Harshwinterssothatyoufeelcosywhenyoucome

homeortothepub’

• ‘Secretplaces–whereitisstillpossibletogoout

andnotseeanyone’

• ‘ThemistoverHartside’

• ‘Mossonrooftops,lichenontrees,ferns’

• ‘Differentcoloursoftheleavesinautumn’

• ‘Soundsofgardenbirds’

• ‘Gossipgate–wherethecaresofthedayjustmelt

away’

• Fairhill


• AllenbanksandStawardGorge

• WiddybankFellNatureTrail,CowGreenReservoir

• BowleesVisitorCentre,UpperTeesdale

GREAT FOR FAMILIES

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ROMANS

• Epiacum (formallyknownasWhitleyCastleRomanFort)–‘oneofthebestpreservedRomanfortsinBritain’www.epiacumheritage.org

• Maiden Way–‘tracesoftheRomanroadthatoncelinkedKirkbyThoretoCarvorancanstillbetracked

inthelandscape’

History & Heritage

• Kirkhaugh Church –‘tranquil’

• Hall Hill (Alston)–‘siteofaNormancastlewithmoat’

• St Augustine’s Church (Alston)–namedafterStAugustine,anearly7thcenturysaintwhobecamethefirstarchbishopofCanterbury.StAugustineissaidtohavebanishedthehowlingevilspiritsfromFiend’sFell,thehighestpointonthePennines,whichthereafterbecameknownasCrossFell.

• Ninebanks Tower–WestAllenValley

MEDIEVAL

• Killhope Mine–‘fascinatinginsightintothemechanicsofmining’www.killhope.org.uk

• Nenthead Mines –‘thesiteisopentowalkaround’;‘awaitingthepossibleresurrectionoftheheritagecentreinsomeform’

• Stublick Chimney–atCrossColliery,AllenValleys

• Shildon Engine House–nearBlanchland

• Weardale MuseumIreshopeburn–‘fabulous

volunteer-runmuseum’www.weardalemuseum.co.uk

INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE

• Neolithic henges–DrybeckandHighRotherhope

• Bronze Age barrows–Kirkhaugh

• Bronze Age round houses–AnnetWells,Gossipgate,HarbutLodge

• Cup and ring markings–TortieStonenear

Hallbankgate

TheuplandplateauofAlstonMoorhasbeencontinuouslyoccupiedforover4000years.ItseemsthatpeoplewerelivinginthisrelativelyinhospitablelandlongbeforetheinvadingRomansimposedtheirauthorityontheland,astracesofNeolithichengesandBronzeAgetoIronAgeoccupationareevidentthroughoutthearea.TheRomansarrivedinsearchofmineralriches,buildingaroad(theMaidenWay)toaccessthearea’sresourcesandafort(Epiacum)toguardthevaluableoresthatlayjustbeneaththesurface.

Overtime,miningbecamethemainstayofthelocalcommunities.EnoughsilverwasextractedtofeedaRoyalmintinCarlisle,butitwastheminingofgalena(leadore)thatunderpinnedthearea’swealth.Minersfloodedintothisareainthe18thand19thcenturiestoexploittherichoreveins,withtheminingvillagesofNentheadandGarrigillcreatedwiththesupportofQuaker-ownedminingcompanies.

Theconstantneedtosurviveinthischallengingenvironmentinstilledastrongsenseofself-relianceinminingcommunities–atraitthatisstillapparentintheentrepreneurialethosofAlstonMoorpeopletoday.

PREHISTORY

10

PERFECT FOR COUPLES

CHURCH HERITAGE

• Newbiggin Methodist Chapel,Teesdale(1759)–oldestsurvivingMethodistchapelstillincontinuoususe.AccessbykeyfromMiddleton-in-TeesdaleTIC.

• High House Chapel, Ireshopeburn,Weardale– ‘canvisitwhenWeardaleMuseumisopen’ www.weardalemuseum.co.uk

GREAT FOR FAMILIES

• Killhope,theNorthofEnglandLeadMiningMuseum

• SouthTynedaleRailway

• WeardaleRailway

• EpiacumandtheMaidenWay

• KirkhaughChurch

• StAugustine’sChurch,Alston

• Killhope,theNorthofEnglandLeadMiningMuseum

• SouthTynedaleRailway

• TheHubMuseum,Alston

• WeardaleRailway

• NewbigginMethodistChapel

• WeardaleMuseumandHighHouseChapel

TheNorthPenninesAONBPartnershiprunsthe

AltogetherArchaeologyproject,givingeveryonethe

chancetobeinvolvedinhands-onlocalarchaeology.

ContactPaulFrodsham(HistoricEnvironmentOfficer)

atthePartnershipon01388528801tofindoutmore.

• South Tynedale Railway,Alston ‘helpful,informativestaff’ www.strps.org.uk

• The Hub Museum,Alston ‘transportstories,enthusiasticstaff’ www.alston-hub.org.uk,

• Weardale Railway www.weardale-railway.org

• MaidenWay

• NentheadMine


• NeolithichengesatDrybeckandHighRotherhope

• BronzeAgesites

• CupandringmarkingsinTeesdale

• EpiacumandtheMaidenWay

• KirkhaughChurch


TRANSPORT

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Art & Crafts

ThestarklybeautifulqualityofAlstonMoor’slandscapeshasprovidedinspirationforartistsandwritersfordecades.Painters,pottersandpoetsaredrawntotheNorthPenninestocaptureitsessencethroughtheirartwork,handicraft,poetryandprose,withtheresultthatAlstonMoorisrecognisednationallyforthewealthofitscreativetalent.

The derelict lead-smelting mill,Flued to its chimney up the hill,That smokes no answer any moreBut points, a landmark on Bolt’s Law

WHAuden

ARTISTS’ STUDIOS & CRAFT OUTLETS

• Rose House Studio, Garrigill–‘greatlittlegallery,wellworthavisit’www.penninepainting.co.uk

• Jules Cadie’s Studio,HighAshgill–‘informative,funandinteresting’;‘originalartworkbasedonNorthPenninelandscapes’www.julescadie.co.uk

• Pennine Pottery,Alston–‘rangeofhighqualitythrownpottery,firedanddecoratedonthepremises’Note:Currentlyopenbutbeingsold.

www.penninepottery.co.uk

• Gallery 1611,Alston–‘ceramicartinspiredbythePenninelandscape’www.gallery1611.co.uk

• The Alston Artspace,Alston–‘agalleryrunbylocalartists’www.alstonartists.co.uk

• Alston Craftworkers Co-op www.alstoncraftworkers.co.uk

• Cane Workshop,Alston–specialistsinre-caningandrestorationoftraditionalrattancanefurniturewww.thecaneworkshop.co.uk

• Moody Baker,Alston–displaysofhatsbyGladysSongthrushandpotterybySueSharp

www.themoodybaker.co.uk

• Town Hall,Alston–‘occasionaldisplaysofworkbyAlstoncraftworkers’

• Lowbyer Manor Country House,Alston–‘wheretofindLauraElston’shandcross-stitchedcardsandscarves’www.lowbyer.com

• Alston Aspire,StAugustine’sChurch–‘variousexhibitionsincludingdisplaysbylocalartists’

www.alstonaspire.org

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• Epiacumcraftcourses

GREAT FOR FAMILIES

• RoseHouseStudio,Garrigill

• JulesCadieStudio,Ashgill

• PenninePottery,Alston

• Gallery1611,Alston

• TheAlstonArtspace,Alston

• CaneWorkshop,Alston

• MoodyBaker,Alston

• TownHall,Alston

• LowbyerManor,Alston

• PenninePaintingcourses,Garrigill

• Epiacumcraftcourses

• AlstonCraftFair

• C-ArtOpenStudios

• HighlightsTouringProgramme

• AllendaleForgeStudios

PERFECT FOR COUPLES

• JulesCadieStudio,Ashgill

• RoseHouseStudio,Garrigill

• PenninePaintingcourses,Garrigill


COURSES AND EVENTS

• Pennine Painting art courses,Garrigill–‘goodfood,welllookedafter,gettoknowlandscapeandstayinlocalB&Bs’www.penninepainting.co.uk

• Epiacum craft courses –‘ceramics,felting,basketmaking,ragrugslotsoffunforchildren’

www.epiacumheritage.org

• Allendale Forge Studios,Allendale–‘alivelyprogrammeofall-yearroundexhibitionsandcraftworkshops’www.allendaleforgestudios.co.uk

• Alston Craft Fair –‘greatopportunitytobuyuniquepiecesoflocalartworkandcrafts’(firstweekendofDecemberintheTownHall)www.alstoncraftworkers.co.uk

• C-Art Open Studios –‘Cumbria’sbiggestvisualartsevent,withatwoweek-longprogrammeofopenstudios,workshops,exhibitionsandspecialevents,celebratingthebreadthofcontemporaryandtraditionalart,craftanddesign.’www.c-art.org.uk

• Rural Highlights Touring Programme –‘highqualityprogrammeofprofessional,theatre,music,danceandcrafteventsheldinvillagehalls,schoolsandcommunitycentres’www.highlightsnorth.co.uk

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Food & Drink

LOCAL PRODUCE

Self-sufficiencyhasalwaysunderpinnedtheculturalinheritanceofAlstonMoor.Forcenturies,localfarmersandminerssecuredtheirlivingfromtheland,growingtheirowncropsandraisinglivestockonsmallholdingscarvedoutoftheuplands.Todaythespiritofself-sufficiencyisstillevident–localbakers,breweries,meatproducersandspecialistfoodscanallbefoundintheAlstonarea.Localoutletspridethemselvesonstockinglocallysourcedproducts,whilstthepubs,cafes,restaurants,hotelsandB&B’saredevelopingagrowingreputationforprovidingqualitymealsthatrepresentexcellentvalueformoney.

• Cumberland Mustard,Alston–‘madeinAlstonwithrealhoney’www.cumberlandmustard.com

• Allendale Brewery, EastAllenValley–‘greatbeersnamedafterlocalfeatures’www.allendaleale.com

• Moody Baker, Alston–‘localbakeryproducingbread,cakes,piesandpastiesusinglocally-sourcedproducts,e.g.WolfPiemadewithlocalbeefandAllendaleBrewery’sWolfAle.’

www.themoodybaker.co.uk

• Alan Rutherford’s Cumberland Sausage, BlackstockButcher’s,Alston–‘award-winningsausage,perfectforToadintheHole’

• Plot @ the top,Blagill–‘localeggsandvegetablesatendofthetrack’

• Mad Hatters Hardware,Alston–‘thesourceoflocally-producedalstonmoorpreserves’

• High Cup Winery, Dufton–‘Cumbria’sonlycommercialvineyardandwinery’

www.highcupwines.co.uk

• Village Bakery,Melmerby–‘award-winningrangeofbreads,cakesandbiscuits’

www.village-bakery.com

• Birdoswald Cheese, SlackHouseFarm,Gilsland–‘organiccheesemadebyhandonthefarm’

www.birdoswald-cheese.co.uk

• Appleby Cheeses,Appleby–‘greattaste,greatvariety,creamytextures’www.applebycreamery.com

14

Fordetailsontheseandotherlocalfoodoutlets,

seewww.cybermoor.org.

• Miner’s Arms, Nenthead–‘friendlylocalstaff,localproducts,homemadefood.Alison’sAlstonPieuseslocalsausage,Cumberlandmustardandfree-rangeNentheadeggs’www.nenthead.com

• George & Dragon, Garrigill– ‘atraditionalfamilypubintheheartoftheNorthPennines,servingrealales’www.garrigillpub.co.uk

• Kirkstyle Inn,Slaggyford–‘excellentgastro-pubfood’www.kirkstyleinn.co.uk

• Lowbyer Manor Country House, Alston–‘sourcelocalproductsasmuchaspossible’ www.lowbyer.com

• Overwater Lodge Restaurant,Nenthead–

‘excellentfood,quirkyservice,organicfood&drink’

www.overwaterlodge.co.uk

• Cumberland Inn,Alston–‘Award-winningCAMRApub,servinglocalbeersandcheeses’.

www.alstoncumberlandhotel.co.uk

• Angel Inn,Alston–‘trytheirhomemadehamsarniesandchipswithlovelyCumberlandMustard’

• West Nattrass Café,Alston–‘excellentcakesandfriendlyservice.’www.westnattrass.com

• Alston House,Alston–‘goodatmosphereandmenu,localhoney’ www.alstonhouse.co.uk

LOCAL EATERIES

• Jack’s Café, Alston–‘thebestcoffeeandcreamteas’;‘Friendly’

• Blueberries,Alston–‘quaintlittletearoom.’ ‘Small,intimatevenue’

• Hartside Café, AlstonMoor–‘goodfoodandbigportions’;fantasticviewandexcellentvalueformoney’

• Frank’s Chip Shop,Alston

• Victoria Spice,Alston ‘excellentandreasonablypricedIndianmeals’

WHERE TO BUYLOCAL PRODUCE

• Moody Baker –‘distinctivelocalrecipestoeatonyourwalk’www.themoodybaker.co.uk

• Alston Wholefoods –‘greatknowledge,enthusiasticstaff,hugevarietyoffoodstuffs,greatcheeses,freshherbs’www.alstonwholefoods.com

• Nenthead Community Shop

• Haldon’s, Alston –‘oldfashionedsweets,handmadebyproprietors’

15

• NentheadCommunityShop

• Haldon’sSweetShop,Alston

• Miner’sArms,Nenthead

• George&Dragon,Garrigill

• CumberlandInn,Alston

• HartsideCafé

• AlstonHouseHotel,Alston

• BlueberriesCafe,Alston

GREAT FOR FAMILIES

• AllendaleBrewery,Allendale


• AlstonWholefoods,Alston


• Haldon’sSweetShop,Alston

• KirkstyleInn,Slaggyford

• LowbyerManorCountryHouse,Alston

• WestNattrassCafé,Alston

• BlueberriesCafe,Alston

• AngelInn,Alston




• HartsideCafé

• OverwaterLodgeRestaurant,Nenthead

• AlstonHouseHotel,Alston

• Jack’sCafé,Alston

• HighCupWinery,Dufton

PERFECT FOR COUPLES



• Plot@thetop,Blagill



• AllendaleBrewery,Allendale





• AngelInn,Alston




• HartsideCafé

• Jack’sCafé,Alston


16

CRAFT FAIRS

• Epiacum craft day –‘lotsoffunforchildren’

• Alston Craft FairAlstonTownHall–firstweekendinDecember‘lotsofideasforChristmaspresents’;‘greatopportunitytobuyuniquepiecesoflocal

artworkandcrafts’www.alstoncraftworkers.co.uk

Events & Activities

SHOWS, FESTIVALS AND GALAS 2013

11May Nenthead Gala

25May Eastgate Sheep Show –Weardale

15June Catton Village Fair –EastAllenValley

22June Alston Sheepdog Trials –TyneWillows

29June Alston Gala–‘whenthecommunitycomestogetherwithparades,gamesandfancydress’

03August Middleton-in-Teesdale Carnival

17August Allendale Show

26August Garrigill Gala

26August Blanchland & Hunstanworth Show

31August Dufton Agricultural Show

31August Weardale Agricultural Show –StJohn’sChapel

07Sept Alston Agricultural Show

14–15Sept Stanhope Agricultural Show

21Sept Eggleston Agricultural Show –Teesdale

28Sept Langdon Beck Show

AmyriadofoutdooreventsandactivitiesawaitdiscoverythroughoutAlstonMoor.Everythingfromfestivalsandfarmers’marketstoconcertsandclassiccarralliescanbediscoveredhere,aswellasanarrayofoutdoor(andindoor)activities.

AlstonMooralsooffersrecreationalactivitiesthatcanbeenjoyedatanytimeofyearwhetheritbespringwalks,summercycling,autumnfishingorwinterskiing.

Thewell-trodPennineWayandseveralotherlong-distancewalkingroutespassthroughtheheartofAlstonMoor,aswellasthehugelypopularC2CCycleRouteandPennineCycleway.Horseridersandmountainbikersalikeareblessedwithanabundanceofbridlewaysandoff-roadtrackstoexplore.SkierscanheadforYadMosstohonetheirskillsonthewinterpistes.Youcanswimorfishinsomeofthecleanestriversinthecountry,playaroundofgolforsimplyenjoypotteringaroundtheplethoraofopenaireventsthatareregularlystagedthroughouttheyear.

17

LOCAL MUSIC

• Turk’s Head, Alston

• Miner’s Arms,Nenthead

• Alston Town Hall–Ned’sMusicNights

• George & Dragon, Garrigill

• Nenthead Gala Music Tent

• Church concerts –RuralHighlightsTouringProgramme–‘highqualityprogrammeofprofessional,theatre,music,danceandcrafteventsheldinvillagehalls,schoolsandcommunitycentres’www.highlightsnorth.co.uk

• Middleton-in-Teesdale –lastSundayeverymonth• www.middletonplus.org.uk

• Greenhead–2ndSundayeverymonth• www.hadrianswallfarmersmarket.co.uk

• Hexham –2nd&4thSaturdayeverymonth• www.hexhamfarmersmarket.co.uk

• Brampton–LastSaturdayeverymonth• www.sustainablebrampton.org

FARMERS’ MARKETS

• Bread-making atAllendaleBakery

• Craft workshopsatAllendaleForgeStudios,EastAllenValley–‘alivelyprogrammeofall-yearroundexhibitionsandcraftworkshops’

www.allendaleforgestudios.co.uk

• Pennine Painting art courses Garrigill–‘goodfood,welllookedafter,gettoknowlandscapeandstayin

localB&Bs’www.penninepainting.co.uk

• Epiacum heritage courses –‘ceramics,felting,basketmaking,ragrugslotsoffunforchildren’

www.epiacumheritage.org

COURSES

OTHER EVENTS

• Classic car rallies

• Garrigill Fireworks Display –‘spectacularandvery

sociable’

• Nenthead Fireworks and Halloween Party

• Wine Train–‘relaxedenvironmenttomeetpeople,

samplegoodwinesandviewgreatscenery’

• Santa SpecialSouthTynedaleRailway–‘greatfor

families’

• Pub quizzes George&Dragon,Turk’sHead–

‘funnightout’

• Alston Film Club–‘filmnighteverymonth’;‘family-

friendly,informal,candle-lit

• Alston Aspire,StAugustine’sChurch–Alston

variouseventsandexhibitionsallyearround

www.alstonaspire.org

• The Hub Museum, Alston–‘visitingcarclubs

congregatethroughouttheyear’

• Village Halls –varyingeventprogrammes

• C-Art Open Studios–‘Cumbria’sbiggestvisual

artsevent,withatwoweek-longprogrammeof

openstudios,workshops,exhibitionsandspecial

events,celebratingthebreadthofcontemporaryand

traditionalart,craftanddesign’

14–29September2013

www.c-art.org.uk

18

ACTIVITIES

ArecentlylaunchedExploreNorthPennineswebsite(www.explorenorthpennines.org.uk)includesan‘AlstonMoorandtheCumbrianNorthPennines’page.Thewebsiteisamobile-friendly,outdooractivityportal.Visitorscansearchforwalking,cyclingandhorseridingroutes,orwheretogoclimbing,fishing,kayakingandstargazing.Youcanfindthebestplacestoseestunninglandscapesandspectacularwildlifeordownloadfoodtrailsbirdwatchingwalksandmuchmore.It’sallbasedaroundaninteractive,searchablemapandincludesfreedownloadsofroutes.

WALKING

• The 286-mile long Pennine Way–trailsalongthe

‘roof’ofEnglandfromDerbyshiretotheScottish

Borders.GarrigillandAlstonarerightonitsroute

andconvenientlocationsforovernightstays

www.nationaltrail.co.uk

• Wainwright’s Pennine Journey–a247milejourney

www.penninejourney.org.uk

• The South Tyne Trail23miles/36.5km–‘flows’

downstreamfollowingtheriverfromitssource

atTyneheadtoHaltwhistle.BetweenAlstonand

Haltwhistlemuchoftherouteissuitablefor

pushchairsandwheelchairs

• Alston Arches Trail –ashortcircularwalklinkingto

theSouthTyneTrail

• Isaac’s Tea Trail –a58km/36milecircularwalk

throughpicturesquerivervalleysandoverheather

moorlands,followinginthefootstepsofIsaac

Holden,atravellingteaseller

• Teesdale Way–90milesthatfollowstheRiverTees

fromNorthPenninestothesea

• Weardale Way 73milesthattracestherouteofthe

RiverWearfromCowshilltotheseaatWearmouth

www.weardaleway.com

• Slitt Wood and West Rigg Geotrail3miles–


• The Haltwhistle Walking Festival –exploresthe

landscapeandheritagearoundHaltwhistle.Walksto

suitallagesandabilities

www.haltwhistlewalkingfestival.org

• Haytime Walks –downloadpdffrom

www.northpennines.org.ukor


• North Pennines Walking Festival –annualevent

(2013dates-28Sep-6Oct)

www.northpennineswalkingfestival.org.uk

19

South Tyne AlstontoLangleyViaduct–Alston&

DistrictAnglingAssociation

River Tees BarnardCastleandUpperTeesNorthBank–

BarnardCastleAnglingClubandRabyEstate

River Wear StanhopeGaugingStationtoRookhope

Burn–WeardaleFlyFishersClub

Reservoirs

FISHING

ManagedbyNorthumbrianWater

www.nwl.co.uk/gofishing

River fishingFor salmon, brown trout and sea trout

Cow Green Reservoir

Derwent Reservoir

Selset Reservoir

Grassholme Reservoir

Balderhead Reservoir

Blackton Reservoir

Hury Reservoir

CYCLING

• The Sea-to-Sea (C2C) –CycleRoute,oneofthe

mostpopularandchallenginglong-distance

cycleroutesintheUK.StartsatWhitehavenor

WorkingtonandendsatNewcastleorSunderland,

passingthroughtheheartofAlstonMoor.

www.c2c-guide.co.ukorwww.sustrans.org

• The Pennine Cycleway–a335miles,long-distance

routebetweenDerbyandBerwick-upon-Tweedthat

passesthroughtheNorthPennines.

• Wheels to the Wild –a122-kmroadrouteover

threedaysexploringthegeologyandlandscapesof

theAONB.www.northpennines.org.uk

• Cycling in the North Pennines –16rideswithin

fourleaflets,alldesignedforexperiencedcyclists.


• Fairhill Bike Ride and C2C –‘bringpeoplethrough

AlstonMoor’

• Packhorse Trails–formountainbikers

www.northpennines.org.uk

• Cycle hire at North Pennines Cycles,Nenthead

www.northpenninescycles.co.uk

• Bike repairs at Nenthead–www.markfearn.co.uk

SWIMMING

HORSE RIDING

• Packhorse Trails–www.northpennines.org.uk

Riding Centres

• Hamsterley Riding School–Tel:01388488328

• Sinderhope Trekking Centre–

www.sinderhopeponytrekking.co.uk

• West Hoppyland Trekking CentreHamsterley–

www.westhoppyland.comv

Weardale pen Air Swimming Pool, Stanhope–

www.woaspa.co.uk

St John’s Indoor Swimming Pool, Garrigill–

www.stjohnspool.co.uk

SKIING

Yad Moss, South Tyne Valley –www.yadmoss.co.uk

Allenheads Ski Club –‘friendly,cheap,greatforchildren

learningtoski’

Weardale Ski Club –www.skiweardale.com

20

Alston playground,Fairhill

Garrigill Recreation ground

Play park in Nenthead–‘Greatplacetostopwithkid

andthenwalkuptheHush’

PLAYGROUNDS AND RECREATION AREAS

Killhope Mine –www.killhope.org.uk

Moorhouse National Nature Reserve–

www.naturalengland.org.uk

South Tynedale Railway, Alston –SantaSpecialsandtheWineTrail.‘relaxed

environmenttomeetpeople,sample

goodwinesandviewgreatscenery’

www.strps.org.uk

Weardale Railwaywww.weardale-railway.org.uk

Events and activities in the North Pennines

GREAT FOR FAMILIES

AlstonGalaDay

NentheadGala

GarrigillGala

EpiacumCraftDay

AlstonChristmasCraftFair

GarrigillFireworksDisplay

NentheadFireworksandHalloweenParty

SouthTynedaleRailway

AlstonFilmClub

AlstonAspireevents

TheHub,Alston

SkiingatYadMossandAllenheadsSkiClub

IndoorswimmingatStJohn’sPool,Garrigill

WeardaleOpenAirSwimmingPool

PlaygroundsatAlston,NentheadandGarrigill

Geltsdale RSPB reservewww.rspb.org.uk

Slack House Farm, Ireshopeburnwww.fleecewithaltitude.co.uk

Harehope Quarrywww.harehopequarry.org.uk

Whitfield Village Pantrywww.whitfieldvillagepantry.co.uk

The Garden Station, Langleywww.thegardenstation.co.uk

Alston Moor Newsletter isagreatsourceofinformationonforthcomingevents.Availablefromvariousoutlets.

DetailsofsomeeventsandactivitiescanbefoundontheNorthPenninesAONBwebsiteat:www.northpennines.org.ukorwww.explorenorthpennines.org.uk.

GOLF

Alston Moor Golf Club www.alstonmoorgolfclub.org.uk

INDOOR EXERCISE

Community gym–‘greatforteenagers’

Gill Munroe’s exercise classes

Bowling –indoorandoutdoor

Alston Adventure Training Centre www.alstontraining.co.uk

OUTDOOR ACTIVITY CENTRE

21

Showsandgalas

Sheepdogtrials

EpiacumCraftDay

AlstonChristmasCraftFair

Farmers’Markets

Localmusicvenues

Classiccarrallies

Sheepdogtrials

FireworkdisplaysatNentheadandGarrigill

WinetrainonSouthTynedaleRailway

Pubquizzes

AlstonFilmClub

AlstonAspire

BreadmakingcoursesatAllendaleBakery

CraftworkshopsatAllendaleForgeStudios

HaltwhistleWalkingFestival

Variouswalkingandcyclingtrails

Haytimewalks

Horseriding

SkiingatYadMossandAllenheadsSkiClub–if

experiencedskiers

Wildswimming

Golf


PennineWay

Wainwright’sPennineJourney

SouthTyneTrail

TeesdaleWay

WeardaleWay

HaltwhistleWalkingFestival

Sea-to-SeaCycleRoute

PennineCycleway

WheelstotheWildCycleRoute

FairhillBikeRide

PackhorseTrails–formountainbikersandhorseriders

SkiingatYadMossandAllenheadsSkiClub

Wildswimming

Riverfishing

Furtherinformationisavailablefrom:

www.golakes.co.ukwww.nurtureeden.orgwww.northpennines.org.uk

ThankstoNorthPenninesAreaofOutstandingNatural

BeautyPartnership,NurtureEden,CumbriaTourism

andtheworkshopparticipantsfortheirknowledge,

enthusiasticinputandgeneroussupport.Specialthanks

toAnnaGrayforcompilingthisbooklet.

This project is supported by the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) for which Defra is the Managing Authority, part funded (or financed) by the European Agricultural Fund.

Long-distancetrails

Cyclingroutes

PackhorseTrailsformountainbikersandhorseriders

Wildswimming


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