Alston Walking Holidays

There are numerous walking routes for the Alston Moor area, many of them are listed below. They range from the short walks around the town of Alston exploring its history to part of the famous Pennine Way. Why not have a look through and plan a week's worth of walking in the area.

South Tyne Trail
Walk from The Source of the South Tyne via Alston to Haltwhistle. This linear trail was launched in December 2004 at Lowbyer Manor Country House by East Cumbria Countryside Project (ECCP) and the North Pennines AONB Partnerhsip. Distance: 36.5km / 22.75miles

Pennine Way
This famous walk which starts in Edale and finishes in Kirk Yetholm some 268 miles later; passes through Alston. The Pennine Way walk can be tackled in various ways, in one go as a once in a lifetime activity or split up into more manageable week or weekend sections. Alternatively you could just choose to walk the Pennine Way from Alston to Cross Fell; which at 893m is the highest point on the Pennine Way. For more information check out the National Trail Website for the Pennine Way.

A Pennine Journey (From Settle to Hadrian's Wall in Wainwright's Footsteps)
In September 1938, A. Wainwright made a solitary walk through the Pennines. The following year he wrote up an account of this walk, which was eventually published as A Pennine Journey in 1986. The pictorial guide, written by members of the Wainwright Society, is a re-creation of his walk adapted for today's roads and rights-of-way, taking a route that Wainwright might have chosen if he was planning it today. The route is 247 miles long and divided into eighteen stages. With maps and illustrations inspired by the work of the great AW, this labour of love is essential for all those who wish to follow in Wainwright's footsteps. Day 11 of the walk is 'Greenhead to Alston' and Day 12 of the walk is 'Alston to Milburn'.

Tyne Willows and Firs Walk
A fairly easy walk following the wooded banks of the South Tyne, returning by a higher route through farmland with valley views. The path is designed for your enjoyment and offers flexible choices of route which can suit those short of time - or even short of wind! Please not that much of this route is a "permissive" path and may occasionally be closed. Distance: 1.6 miles

A Walk around Alston
Explore the town of Alston. A self guided walk that gives you a flavour of the unique character of this historic town. Time: Approx 1hour

Shepherds Walks
Walk 55 Around Alston This walk takes in the lovely area to the south of Alston, Cumbria. You start off by following the River South Tyne, before climbing up on to the lower ground of Alston Moor. after skirting the highest golf course in England, you drop down, cross the river and return to Alston through wooded sections home to red squirrels. Distance: 9.7km / 6miles. For further information visit Shepherds Walks.

Isaac's Tea Trail
This circular walk goes through picturesque river valleys and over high heather moorlands in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) crossing the counties of Cumbria and Northumberland.For further information, please visit the Isaac's Tea Trail Walk Website(58km or 36 miles)

Hadrian's Wall Path
Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail is an unbroken 84 mile signposted trail stretching from coast to coast, from Wallsend in the east to Bowness-on-Solway in the west. Alston is a short drive from Hadrian's Wall and is ideally placed to do some of the middle section of the walk, eg from Birdoswald to Chesters. for more information visit the National Trail website for Hadrian's Wall Path.

Come Walking in Alston Moor (Walking East of Eden)
These were a series of walks set in Alston Moor produced by East Cumbria Countryside Project approximately 20 years ago. Over this time things have changed and not all of the routes are now accessible. The walks proved extremely popular over the years and in 2012 the Walk Leaflets' Group of Alston Moor Business Association (AMBA) decided it was time they were updated. The Walk Leaflets' Group met regularly at Lowbyer Manor Country House and thanks to Alice Bondi (Writer & AMBA member), Mary Hayward (Designer & AMBA member), Ali White (Illustrator), supported by Alix Martin (AMBA Chair), Sonia Kempsey (AMBA member) & Laura Elston (AMBA member) and funded by donations from Spar, the Cumbria Community Foundation and AMBA the first three walks have been updated and are now available for sale here at Lowbyer Manor, Alston Local Links and many other shops in Alston.

The next three walks are From Fairyland to Leadmines (Around Nenthead) Distance: 5miles / 8km, Gaining Ground (Alston's Community Spaces) Distance: 2 miles / 3km and A Garrigill Village Walk (the title of this is yet to be confirmed), are due to follow and should be ready for the Summer season of 2013.

NEW Alston Moor Walk 1 - Alston's Nent Valley (Gossipgate to Blagill) Alston Moor offers clear air and magnificent views which contrast with the industrial archaeology of its mining past. Much of this is evident on the quiet, pleasant walk along the River Nent to Blagill, returning to Alston on a medieval road, now a bridal path. Landranger (1:50 000) 86 Haltwhistle & Brampton Explorer Map (1:25 000) OL31 (North Pennines) Distance: 3 miles / 5km Time: 1.5-2 hours Conditions: While generally an easy walk , some parts can be muddy, and sections of the path are eroded.

NEW Alston Moor Walk 2 - Annat Walls and Nattrass Gill (The South Tyne Valley) Through fields and past farmhouses, this walk gives you a chance to see at close hand the farming life of Alston Moor. There are magnificent views of the surrounding countryside, the tumbling stream of Nattrass Gill, a most interesting variety of flora and evidence of Alston's past. Landranger (1:50 000) 86 Haltwhistle & Brampton Explorer Map (1:25 000) OL31 (North Pennines) Distance: 4 miles / 6.5km Time: 1.5-3 hours Conditions: a generally easy walk but with some potentially muddy areas.

NEW Alston Moor Walk 3 - Of Poaching and Poss-sticks (Garrigill and Ashgill) This exciting walk takes you to a waterfall behind which you can join dancing faries, and returns along the River Tyne with a wealth of plants and birds to be seen. The mining and smallholding history of Alston Moor comes alive in the landscape. Landranger (1:50 000) 86 Haltwhistle & Brampton Explorer Map (1:25 000) OL31 (North Pennines) Distance: 4.5 miles / 7km Time: 2-4 hours Conditions: a moderate walk, with some steep sections, mud and boggy areas and a number of high and slightly awkward stiles.

Alston Moor Walk 5 - Water Power in Alston. One small stream was channelled to provide power for many mills, and this walk follows the course of the mill race through Alston. Explore a fascinating aspect of the history of this once thriving market town. Distance: 1.5 miles Time: 1-2 hours

Alston Moor Walk 6 - In Nenthead, agriculture and mining existed side by side for centuries, despite the difficulties of the high surrounding fells and the severe winter weather. This route offers you the opportunity to understand the village's unique past alongside the reality of its present. As some of the path is on rough, often wet, fell land high above the village, walkers should have proper boots and clothing. Distance: 5 miles Time: 2.5 - 4 hours

And there is plenty more..
There are plenty more walks in the area. We have copies of walk booklets and maps in our guest lounge; which you are welcome to borrow and then return for future guests to enjoy.

Go for a walk…
The Lake District is a walker’s paradise but you don’t have to tramp up England’s highest mountain to bag a good view. To download walking guides go to www.golakes.co.uk

Lowbyer Manor welcomes Walkers and has the following facilities available:

● Drying space for outdoor clothing & footwear overnight in our boiler room
● Boot scrapes at our main entrance
● Outside tap to wash off outdoor clothing
● Basic first aid items available from reception
● Complimentary tea, coffee or soft drink offered on arrival in our guest lounge
● Complimentary refreshments tray also available in bedrooms
● Breakfast is served from 07:45 hrs, if you require an earlier start then a Continental breakfast can be set-up in the guest lounge, if notified the night before.
● Packed lunch (sandwich, crisps, biscuits, fruit, chocolate bar & soft drink) @ £5.00 each
● Your own flask (filled with Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate or Hot Water) can be a part of a packed lunch replacing the soft drink or taken additionally @ £1.50 each
● Water bottles refilled before your onward journey – complimentary
● Details of local doctor, dentist, chemist & vets is in the bedroom information folders
● Walking routes and OS Maps available to borrow from the guest lounge during your stay
● Information on local public transport or taxi companies can be found in the guest lounge
● Weather information displayed on notice board in reception in addition access to a computer is available in our guest lounge for people to check the local website for information
● Large selection of information leaflets on local attractions and events
● Details of local banks/cash machines, public telephone, post office, post box and outdoor equipment shop is in the bedroom information folders
● A copy of the Countryside Code is in the bedroom information folders
● Details of local restaurants & pubs offering food can be found in a folder in the guest lounge
● To assist with group check in we offer refreshments in the guest lounge whilst everyone completes their guests registration form, before being shown to their bedroom