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Major city · United Kingdom

Alston

One day covers the Hub Museum, Ashgill Force and a short walk; add a half‑day for the South Tynedale Railway or a pub night – stay 1 night if you want evening drinks.

Alston is England's highest market town, set in the North Pennines AONB. Its cobbled centre, small museum, waterfall and heritage railway fit a half‑day itinerary, while the surrounding moorland offers easy 8‑mile walks. A night lets you sample the local pubs and avoid the limited summer bus schedule.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
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More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
GBP
Best months
May–Sep
avoid Dec–Feb (cold, limited services)
Airport
Carlisle Lake District (CAX)
Nights
1

About Alston

Alston is a small town in Cumbria, North West England, inside the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It sits about 1,000 feet (300 m) above sea level and shares the title of highest market town in England with Buxton, Derbyshire. Cobbled streets and 17th-century stone buildings define the centre. The UK's first National Trail, the Pennine Way, runs past the edge of town, and the Sea to Cycle Route (C2C) goes through it. Main roads link Alston with Carlisle, Hexham, Penrith and Barnard Castle, each 20–30 miles away. The landscape of limestone, sandstone and shale has been shaped by centuries of mining for lead, silver, zinc, coal and fluorspar.

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Alston: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
  • United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
  • United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
  • United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices

See

What is worth your time in Alston.

  • The Hub Museum — A small local museum beside the South Tynedale Railway covering transport and the town's history, with knowledgeable staff.
  • Alston Town Hall — A Gothic Revival building completed in 1858 that also houses the tourist information centre and public library.
  • Ashgill Force waterfall — A 55-foot fall over a rocky shelf, reachable from the B6277 or from Garrigill, with small cascades and dippers downstream.
  • St Augustine of Canterbury Church — The parish church, built in 1869, holds a clock believed to date from the 16th century and restored in 1978.
  • Killhope — A lead mining museum east on the A689 in County Durham, closed for refurbishment in 2024.

Eat and drink

Specialities of this place.

  • The Moody Baker Co-op — A bakery specialising in home-cooked vegetarian fare, also selling meat pasties and pies, including the Wolf Pie made with beer from the Allendale Brewery.
  • Alston Wholefoods — Stocks wholefoods and local produce, with a cheese counter and staff who talk customers through it.
  • The Cumberland Inn — A favourite for an after-work pint, serious about real ale, with a beer garden over the playing fields and across the river Tyne.
  • The Victoria Inn — Serves bar food including items from the Moody Baker Co-op, and has an Indian restaurant, the Victoria Spice.

Customs

  • Alston used to have 10 pubs for a moor of fewer than 2,000 people; in 2014 four remained: the Cumberland, Angel, Turks Head and Victoria.
  • Many residents start the weekend early with a few beers at the Cumberland on Friday nights.
  • The town's pubs were often free houses serving beers from Cumbrian microbreweries.

Events

  • Open Mike night — At the Turks Head on Market Place, drawing musicians from across the region.Wednesday nights
  • Friday 'early doors' — Residents begin the weekend with beers at the Cumberland.Friday
  • Music nights at the Town Hall — Roughly every two months, with a range of music and the 'Alston Raffle'.winter months
Emergency numbers for Alston999 ▾
  • Police999
  • Fire & ambulance999
  • NHS non‑urgent111

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Alston, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Budget bedHostel dorm bed (Alston Youth Hostel), a night, per person£20 (≈ US$30)
  • Mid-range bedB&B double room (Cumberland Hotel / Alston House Hotel), a night, per room£50 (≈ US$70)
  • High-end bedB&B double room (Cumberland Hotel / Alston House Hotel), a night, per room£80 (≈ US$110)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget £30 (≈ US$40) · Mid £55 (≈ US$75) · High £90 (≈ US$120)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

The Hub MuseumAshgill Force waterfallSouth Tynedale RailwayPennine Way walksHistoric pubs
Airports
CAX Carlisle Lake District Airport (About 30 km (19 mi) by road to Alston)

Map of Alston

Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.

HaltwhistleBrampton, CumbriaPenrithAppleby-in-WestmorlandHexhamStanhopeMiddleton-in-TeesdaleCorbridge

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

  • Alston
  • Basic guide

Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps

Guides nearby

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    7°C (45°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    8°C (46°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    11°C (52°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    14°C (57°F)

  5. May

    Best

    17°C (63°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    15°C (59°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    11°C (52°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    8°C (46°F)

Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (22°C (72°F)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (5). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Alston: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

7°C (45°F)

1°C (34°F)

12 rd

Feb

8°C (46°F)

1°C (34°F)

10 rd

Mar

11°C (52°F)

3°C (37°F)

9 rd

Apr

14°C (57°F)

5°C (41°F)

8 rd

May

17°C (63°F)

8°C (46°F)

7 rd

Jun

20°C (68°F)

11°C (52°F)

6 rd

Jul

22°C (72°F)

13°C (55°F)

5 rd

Aug

22°C (72°F)

13°C (55°F)

6 rd

Sep

19°C (66°F)

11°C (52°F)

7 rd

Oct

15°C (59°F)

8°C (46°F)

9 rd

Nov

11°C (52°F)

5°C (41°F)

11 rd

Dec

8°C (46°F)

2°C (36°F)

12 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Most sights are within walking distance. Wrights' summer bus links Alston to Penrith and Newcastle; check the timetable. The heritage railway runs weekends Apr–Oct.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Garrigill Walk

go

Door to door: ≈2 h walk

Start from Alston, follow the Pennine Way along the River Tyne; 8‑mile round‑trip.

Suitable for most fitness levels; bring sturdy shoes.

Killhope Lead Mining Museum

caution

Door to door: ≈1 h by car

Drive A689 east to Stanhope, then follow signs; about 30 km (19 mi).

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Alston House Hotel

7 en‑suite rooms, restaurant and bar; £50+ per night.

Alston Youth Hostel

Dorm beds £20.50–25 per night; private rooms £36–120.

Cumberland Hotel

En‑suite B&B, £40 per night, pets welcome.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
£30–45 (≈ US$40–60) excl. bed
Mid
£55–80 (≈ US$75–110) excl. bed
High
£90 (≈ US$120)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
B&B double room (Cumberland Hotel / Alston House Hotel)1 × 1 night × £50£50
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £55£110
Wrights bus return to Penrith (summer)2 × £12£24
South Tynedale Railway round‑trip2 × £8£15
eSIM data (1 week)2 × £10£20
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge£22
Trip total≈ £121 per person per day, bed included£241≈ US$350

2026 estimate in GBP; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Watch out

Safety

Alston is generally safe; standard rural precautions apply and keep an eye on weather on the moors.
  • Bus service operates only in summer months; plan ahead in off‑season.
  • South Tynedale Railway runs limited times; verify dates before travel.
  • Weather can change quickly on the moors; bring waterproof layers.

Emergency numbers

Police
999
Fire & ambulance
999
NHS non‑urgent
111

Pocket card

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AlstonAlston

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Emergency

  • Police999
  • Fire & ambulance999
  • NHS non‑urgent111

Embassy

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Wrights bus Penrith ↔ Alston (summer): about £12 (≈ US$16) each way
  • South Tynedale Railway round‑trip: £7.50 (≈ US$10) adult, £3.75 (≈ US$5) child
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Alston. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, limited services) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 2 day-trips, door to door
  6. 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to United Kingdom

Sources

Ask about Alston

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