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Alston

England, United Kingdom · Europe

About Alston

Alston works well as a base: 20 minutes from Haltwhistle, 11km from Hartside Pass.

Alston is a town located in England, United Kingdom. With a population of 1,105, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Alston sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Alston to your route.

About Alston

Alston is a town in Westmorland and Furness, Cumbria, England, within the civil parish of Alston Moor. It is located at about 1,000 feet (300 m) above sea level in the North Pennines, the River South Tyne, and shares the title of 'highest market town in England', with Buxton, Derbyshire. Despite its relative

Read more isolation, the town has road connections to the Tyne Gap to the north, Weardale and Teesdale to the south-east, and Penrith to the south-west. Much of the town centre is a designated conservation area which includes several listed buildings. It was historically within the county of Cumberland. Alston was historically a centre for mining, with lead, zinc, iron, copper, and coal found in the vicinity.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Alston

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Alston?

Alston offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Alston?

Plan your road trip to Alston with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Alston as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Alston located?

Alston is located in England, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 54.8090 latitude, -2.4393 longitude.

What is the population of Alston?

Alston has a population of approximately 1,105 people, making it a town in United Kingdom.

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Quick Information

Population
1,105
Continent
Europe
Country
United Kingdom
Region
England
Timezone
Europe/London
Coordinates
54.8090, -2.4393

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United Kingdom

Police
999
Ambulance
999
Fire
999
Non-emergency police
101
Driving side
left

112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.

Full driving guide for United Kingdom

Tags

EuropeUnited KingdomEnglandTown

Worth the detour from Alston

8 notable places within an hour's drive.

cafe

Hartside Cafe

A remote hilltop cafe at 1,904 feet on the A686 in Cumbria, one of England's highest road cafes and a bucket-list stop for bikers.

7 km · about 15 min drive

mountain pass

Hartside Pass

The A686's grand sweep over the North Pennines between Penrith and Alston, climbing to 580m through wide hairpins with views across the Eden Valley to the Lake District fells. A celebrated drivers' and bikers' road.

11 km · about 20 min drive

waterfall

High Force Waterfall

England's largest waterfall by volume, plunging 21 metres over the Whin Sill escarpment in a cloud of spray in Upper Teesdale.

24 km · about 30 min drive

ancient ruins

Hadrian's Wall

The 73-mile Roman frontier fortification stretching across northern England, built in 122 AD with forts, milecastles, and turrets marking the edge of the Roman Empire.

24 km · about 30 min drive

scenic viewpoint

Ullswater

A graceful Z-shaped lake with steamers, the lakeside road and Glenridding making it the perfect Lakes touring base.

38 km · about 45 min drive

waterfall

Aira Force

A 65-foot waterfall plunging through a wooded gorge near Ullswater, with stone bridges framing the cascade.

41 km · about 45 min drive

cafe

Tan Hill Inn

Britain's highest pub at 1,732 feet in the Yorkshire Dales, a remote and atmospheric destination for drivers and walkers braving the wild moorland roads.

43 km · about 50 min drive

ancient ruins

Castlerigg Stone Circle

A 5,000-year-old stone circle set on a fell with a 360-degree mountain panorama, free and roadside near Keswick.

48 km · about 55 min drive

Driving roads near Alston

  • Right hereHartside PassThe A686's grand sweep over the North Pennines between Penrith and Alston, climbing to 580m through wide hairpins with views across the Eden Valley to the Lake District fells. A celebrated drivers' and bikers' road.
  • 38 kmUllswaterA graceful Z-shaped lake with steamers, the lakeside road and Glenridding making it the perfect Lakes touring base.
  • 49 kmHelvellynEngland's third highest peak at 950m, famous for the knife-edge ridge of Striding Edge and sweeping views across the Lake District.
  • 50 kmKirkstone PassThe Lake District's highest motor road, topped by an ancient inn and sweeping views over Brothers Water.
  • 52 kmDerwentwaterA serene island-studded lake beside Keswick, perfect for a lakeside drive, launch cruise and the Surprise View overlook.
  • 55 kmButtertubs PassA high, narrow Dales road over the moors, named for deep limestone potholes and ranked among Britain's best drives.

Driving in United Kingdom

Drives on
the left
Petrol
~€1.73/litre
Motorway tolls
None

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Alston.

Haltwhistle

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

18 km awayPop. 3,791

Greenhead

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

18 km away

Bardon Mill

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

20 km away

Haydon Bridge

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

22 km awayPop. 1,557

Brampton

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

24 km awayPop. 4,627

Penrith

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

26 km awayPop. 16,700

Great Corby

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

26 km awayPop. 2,157

Appleby-in-Westmorland

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

26 km awayPop. 3,048

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence