The Windy Hall Guidebook for Alston and its surroundings
Food Scene
Because of the on-going Covid changes, do check on the web for current opening times and services. The Alston FB page - Absolutely Alston is a good starting place for latest info.
Alston Wholefoods
Market PlaceA fabulous range of whole foods, luxury organic treats and stunning cheeses.
Hopefully about to be re-built following the devastating fire two years ago. Temporary burger-van in summer. The highest cafe in England with good hearty comfort food and stunning views over the Lake District and Southern Scotland.
Hartside Cafe
Hopefully about to be re-built following the devastating fire two years ago. Temporary burger-van in summer. The highest cafe in England with good hearty comfort food and stunning views over the Lake District and Southern Scotland.
Alston House
Warm friendly atmosphere. And with sensible Covid precautions.
Lanercost Tea Room
Excellent food and right next to the romantic Lannercost Abbey
The Cumberland Inn
Good no-nonsense pub food and great beers
The Garden Station
A charming and peaceful setting full of historical atmosphere
Lovely friendly farm shop and cafe. Home reared meats and home made ready meals on sale. Next to the Epiacum Roman remains. An easy walk from Windy Hall over the recently rebuilt Kirkhaugh footbridge.
The Nook Farm Shop & Cafe
Lovely friendly farm shop and cafe. Home reared meats and home made ready meals on sale. Next to the Epiacum Roman remains. An easy walk from Windy Hall over the recently rebuilt Kirkhaugh footbridge.
The Top Cafe
Good value cafe with Covid spaced seating.
Alston Railway Station
The Crossing Cafe sadly closed due Covid.
Truly excellent fish and chips. Check times on their Facebook page or better still phone 01434 382300.
The High Plaice
Truly excellent fish and chips. Check times on their Facebook page or better still phone 01434 382300.
Sightseeing
Currently closed owing to a difficult year because of lockdown.
16 locals recommend
South Tynedale Railway
Station RoadCurrently closed owing to a difficult year because of lockdown.
Talkin Tarn
Hire a rowing boat and enjoy this tranquil tree lined lake
Quite a drive from Windy Hall but surely one of the most impressive castles in the Borders
16 locals recommend
Hermitage Castle
Quite a drive from Windy Hall but surely one of the most impressive castles in the Borders
Surely one of the most magnificent and awe inspiring buildings in the world. About 80 minutes drive from Windy Hall but a must whatever your faith.
116 locals recommend
Durham Cathedral
Surely one of the most magnificent and awe inspiring buildings in the world. About 80 minutes drive from Windy Hall but a must whatever your faith.
Fascinating Roman earthworks. Walk up to the fort then enjoy the adjacent Nook cafe and farm shop.
9 locals recommend
Epiacum Roman Fort
Fascinating Roman earthworks. Walk up to the fort then enjoy the adjacent Nook cafe and farm shop.
Arts & Culture
A fabulous day out for adults or children or both. Water wellies.
40 locals recommend
Killhope Lead Mining Museum
A fabulous day out for adults or children or both. Water wellies.
Hexham Old Gaol
HallgateHousesteads Roman Fort - Hadrian's Wall
Roman Army Museum
Solway Aviation Museum
Closed because of Covid at present but hopefully will re-open soon. A friendly and fantastical knowledgeable tourist information office in the local library.
Alston Town Hall
Front StreetClosed because of Covid at present but hopefully will re-open soon. A friendly and fantastical knowledgeable tourist information office in the local library.
The Hub-Heritage Museum
One of Europe's most dramatic cityscapes with culture, theatres, cinemas, and museums to match. Plenty to see and do despite Covid.
188 locals recommend
Newcastle upon Tyne
One of Europe's most dramatic cityscapes with culture, theatres, cinemas, and museums to match. Plenty to see and do despite Covid.
"A must see in Newcastle and the building itself is worth a visit even if the art is sometimes too conceptual for some!"
139 locals recommend
Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art
South Shore Road"A must see in Newcastle and the building itself is worth a visit even if the art is sometimes too conceptual for some!"
"A great place for a wet day with cinema, shops, restaurant and ever changing exhibitions"
32 locals recommend
Rheged Discovery Centre station
"A great place for a wet day with cinema, shops, restaurant and ever changing exhibitions"
"A family friendly introduction to the history of Hadrian's Wall"
26 locals recommend
Vindolanda Museum and Restaurant
"A family friendly introduction to the history of Hadrian's Wall"
"Worth visiting for it's architecture alone, even if you don't stay for the eclectic programme of concerts and workshops'"
67 locals recommend
Sage Gateshead
Saint Mary's Square"Worth visiting for it's architecture alone, even if you don't stay for the eclectic programme of concerts and workshops'"
Parks & Nature
North Pennines AONB
One of our favourite day trips. National Trust. Lovely gardens, a pond with newts, woodland walks and a decent cafe.
14 locals recommend
Acorn Bank Garden and Watermill
One of our favourite day trips. National Trust. Lovely gardens, a pond with newts, woodland walks and a decent cafe.
Whinlatter Pass
Whinlatter PassGreat forest walks, ropes courses and mountain bike rides and a scrummy cafe
"One of the most evocative landscapes in Britain; hundred of square miles of marshland and sand banks"
11 locals recommend
Solway Firth
"One of the most evocative landscapes in Britain; hundred of square miles of marshland and sand banks"
Cow Green Reservoir
High Force Waterfalls
Alston RoadEssentials
SPAR Alston
Station RoadCo-op Food - Alston
Market PlaceEntertainment & Activities
A great independent cinema with a decent screen and projection. Just avoid the awful Wetherspoons underneath.
8 locals recommend
The Forum
Market PlaceA great independent cinema with a decent screen and projection. Just avoid the awful Wetherspoons underneath.
Alhambra Cinema
47 MiddlegateAnother good indy cinema
Getting Around
Logan Air now operate scheduled services to and from Carlisle from Belfast, Dublin and London Southend.
Haltwhistle station
Station RoadNearest railway station on the line from Carlisle to Newcastle
Penrith
Nearest station on the West Coast main line
Newcastle International Airport
"take a trip on Englands most scenic railway. Langwathby Station is is just half an hour's drive away"
15 locals recommend
The Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company & Community Rail Partnership
Market Place"take a trip on Englands most scenic railway. Langwathby Station is is just half an hour's drive away"
"A preserved railway line with occasional steam services through tranquil Weardale"
13 locals recommend
The Weardale Railway Trust
Off Station St"A preserved railway line with occasional steam services through tranquil Weardale"
Carlisle Lake District Airport
Aviation Way