High up in the North Pennines, Alston claims to be the highest market settlement in England, being about 1000 feet above sea level. It is also remote, about 20 miles from the nearest town. From every direction Alston is approached over a broad, heather-cladded Pennine landscape which has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Set on the upper reaches of the River South Tyne, it lies within the Eden district of Cumbria.
Alston has a steep cobbled main street with a distinctive market cross, and many stone buildings dating from the 17th Century. Next to the entrance to the Church, is a building dated 1681 (below right). The Angel pub to its left is dated 1611, and the white building left of the pub is dated 1687. It is a bustling town, with a reputation for delicious locally made specialities such as Cumberland Mustard, and Alston Cheese.
Alston Moor grew as a lead mining community over four centuries ago, with Alston town serving the mining families. You can see the history of the lead mining industry in the area at the Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre, nearby.
The pub is pleasant.. child friendly and has a good menu, not loads, just a good selection to cover most palets. And I can recomend "Old Speckled Hen" Any time between 12 and 3 in the lounge at the back.
To find the site of the meet you will have to find one of the following 5 caches.
Taking Alston as the centre.
Cache 1 Bailey Bridge GCG5X7 A686 East
Cache 2 The Kiln GCG5ZH A689 South
Cache 3 Valley View GCG60Z B6277
Cache 4 Dodgy Gate GCG6EB A686 West
Cache 5 Two Bridges GCG6EN A689 North
Camping.. There is a campsite by Alston Station, ( 54°48.812'N, 2°26.531'W ) pity you have to drive through a mess to get to it.. £8.00 fer a 2 man tent. To get to it drive dowm the right hand side of the filling station.
There is also another campsite about 4 miles north of Alston on the A689 at Slaggyford ( 54°51.895'N, 2°30.075'W ).
There are B n B's are all over the place.
Moss Trooper is a founder member of Geocaching Association of Great Britain