A/ Acorn Bank - Temple Sowerby
National Trust garden and watermill with all three species of British newt in the Sunken Garden. Then there is the Herb Garden, the Wild Garden and woodland walk with those nice red squirrels.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Tel: T: 017683 61893
B/ Brougham Castle - Brougham
The ruins of this 13th century fortress are just one mile away from Brougham Hall, home to Alice's Wonderland, a museum of dolls and teddy bears, the Old Smokehouse, the Tirril Brewery, truffles and other local crafts.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk
Tel: T: 01768 862488
C/ Coombs Wood
Coombs Wood is a perfect place on the banks of the River Eden. Great for walking and mountain bikes with two paths leading to Armathwaite with its 2 dog-friendly pubs - the Fox & Pheasant & the Dukes Head.
http://www.eccp.org.uk
Tel: T: 01228 618594
D/ Drive the A686/Hartside Cafe
Admire the horsepower at Hartside Cafe, 1903 feet above sea level - imagine the view no camera can capture! The A686 is described by Cumbria Tourist Board as " Scenic " ; the AA magazine voted it one of the WORLD'S 10 best drives!
http://www.cybermoor.org
Tel: T: 01434 381036
E/ Eden Ostrich World - Langwathby
See ostrich chicks hatch. Also rare sheep, cattle and pig breeds, shire horses, donkeys, deer, wallabies, rhea, emu, alpacas and the famous zebroid. An imaginative children's playground, giant maze and riverside walk complete the entertainment.
http://www.ostrich-world.com
Tel: T: 01768 881771
F/ Fox Inn
Three miles from gamblesby on quiet fellside roads is the village of Ousby and the Fox Inn. There is a large bar area with a pool table where dogs are also welcome.
There is also a slightly more formal restaurant. The food is excellent.
http://www.foxinnousby.co.uk
Tel: T: 01768 881374
G/ The G spot
Congratulations, you have found Gamblesby!
Unspoilt and peaceful, Gamblesby hides away at the foot of the North Pennines. An area of Outstanding Natural Beauty one mile from the A686.
Village greens, a little stream, two churches, one red telephone box ,one post box and Church Court Cottages . Which cottage will you stay in?
http://www.gogamblesby.co.uk
Tel: T: 01768 881682
H1/ Haweswater
How many people only get as far as the dam which flooded Mardale to provide water for Manchester?
The real beauty of Haweswater is at least 5 miles further on where the road runs out and the mountains with England’s only pair of nesting eagles take over. No website could ever do it justice ....
http://www.lakelandscape.co.uk/haweswater
Tel:
H2/ Hunsonby Pool
Heated outdoor pools in Hunsonby. Free car park. Hunsonby pool has no lifeguard (but Lazonby does have one).
Tel:
I/ The Hub
The Hub is Alston's transport museum with lots of local history. Open on the same days as the South Tynedale Railway.
http://www.alston-hub.org.uk
Tel:
J/ St. Johns Pool
For £20 / hour you can rent St. Johns Pool - a swimming pool, jacuzzi & sauna and have it exclusively for your own use.
http://www.stjohnspool.co.uk
Tel: T: 01434 382537
K/ Kirk Neuk Studio and Gallery
Visit Lazonby and Kirk Neuk Studio and Gallery. The Gallery displays work by sculptress Annie Peaker.
http://www.anniepeaker.co.uk
Tel: T: 01768 870492
L/ Lacys Caves and Little Salkeld Watermill
Ask us about the wonderful walk which combines Lacys Caves and Little Salkeld Watermill with Long Meg & her Daughters and St. Michael's church at Addingham.
http://www.organicmill.co.uk
Tel: T: 01768 881523
N/ Nenthead Mines - Nenthead
Discover the power of water and darkness less than 5 miles from Alston.
http://www.npht.com
Tel: T: 01434 382037
O/ The Blue Bell Inn - Newbiggin
A traditional Cumbrian pub well off the beaten track. Be hungry, be very hungry. (Twice round Talkin Tarn is probably not enough).
http://www.bluebellinnnewbiggin.co.uk
Tel: T: 01768 896615
Q/ Lakeland Bird of Prey Centre
A large collection of hawks, eagles, falcons and owls from around the world. Flying demonstrations start daily at high noon.
http://www.lbpc.co.uk
Tel: T: 01931 712746
R/ Rheged Discovery Centre
The Village in the Hill. Named after the ancient Celtic kingdom , Rheged offers an all-weather world of myths and legends on a screen the size of 6 double -decker buses as well as localised retail therapy , artists' exhibitions , paper-making and an indoor children's play area.
http://www.rheged.com
Tel: T: 01768 868000
S2/ Settle - Carlisle Line
Travel on England's most scenic railway from our local station at Langwathby. North for the fastest route to the historic border city of Carlisle with its castle, cathedral , award winning Tullie House Museum, laser quest, go-karts, cinemas and shopping or South for the breathtaking scenery and the picturesque market towns of Appleby, Kirkby Stephen, Settle and Skipton.
http://www.settle-carlisle.co.uk
Tel: T: 01729 825037
S3/ South Tynedale Railway
The restored Victorian station at Alston is home to the highest steam railway in England. Steam trains run to Kirkhaugh in Northumberland through stunning scenery. The line is currently being extended to Slaggyford. The South Tynedale Trail goes all the way to Haltwhistle.
http://www.strps.org.uk
Tel: T: 01434 382828
T/ Talkin Tarn Country Park
Fed by underwater springs, Talkin Tarn offers fishing, dingy sailing and rowing boats. The footpath round the lake links The Tarn End Hotel and the Boathouse tearoom.
http://www.carlisle.gov.uk
Tel: T: 016977 41050
U/ Ullswater Steamers
The perfect way to see Ullswater is on " Raven " or " Lady of the Lake " which ply between Pooley Bridge and Glenridding with a stop off in Howtown for the start of some of the Lake District's favourite walks.
http://www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk
Tel: T: 017684 82229
V/ Village Bakery
Bread matters! The award winning Village Bakery and restaurant draw customers from miles around for outstanding organic bread and cakes. These visitors were Polish automobile journalists putting the latest Ford Focus through its paces on the A686.
http://www.village-bakery.com
Tel: T: 01768 881515
X/ Cross Fell
At 893m. (2930ft) Cross Fell is the highest peak in the North Pennines and the 11th highest in England. That makes it higher than Blencathra 868m. which has 100 X the footfall! You can best climb Cross Fell from Kirkland or Dufton. The summit is the highest point on the Pennine Way. Why not try the section between Dufton & Garrigill and enjoy an hour in St. John's pool at the end of your trek.
http://www.visitcumbria.com/pen/crossfell.htm
Tel:
Y/ Lambley Viaduct
Since 1852 this masterpiece of engineering has towered above the South Tyne River and used to carry lead from Alston on the branch line to Haltwhistle on the main Newcastle - Carlisle line. The viaduct, restored by the North Heritage Trust, is now the highlight of "The South Tyne Trail", a haven for walkers and cyclists.
http://www.eden.gov.uk
Tel:
Z/ Hadrians Wall
What have the Romans ever done for us?
This world heritage site and one of the 7 "must see" tourist attractions in Britain stretches 80 miles and includes Senhouse Roman Museum on the west coast in Maryport (Alauna ), Birdoswald Roman Fort, Roman Army Museum, Vindolanda, Housesteads, Chesters, Corbridge..................use the B6318, the big dipper which links them all! Look at www.hadrians-wall.org and book another week off work.
http://www.hadrians-wall.org
Tel: T: 016977 47602