Alston Moor

Downs, Moorland in Cumberland Eden

England

Alston Moor

Fields below Bleagate Across the valley of the South Tyne towards the side valley that contains Black Burn, a considerable stream and a main feeder for the South Tyne. Rain moving in from over the fells. — Fields below Bleagate Credit: Gordon Hatton

Alston Moor is a picturesque region located in the administrative county of Cumberland, England. Nestled in the northern part of the Pennines, it is a rural area encompassing a mix of downs and moorland landscapes. With a population of around 2,000 people, the region is known for its serene and unspoiled beauty.

The downs of Alston Moor are characterized by gently rolling hills and green pastures, providing ideal grazing land for livestock farming. The pastoral scenery is dotted with quaint villages and scattered farmhouses, offering a sense of tranquility to residents and visitors alike.

In contrast, the moorland areas of Alston Moor present a wilder and more rugged terrain. Here, heather-covered hills, rocky outcrops, and vast stretches of open land dominate the landscape. The moorlands are home to a diverse range of wildlife, including birds of prey, sheep, and grouse, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers.

Alston Moor has a rich history, with evidence of human settlement dating back to Roman times. The region was once a thriving mining community, with lead mining being the primary industry. Today, remnants of this past mining heritage can still be seen in the form of old mine workings and buildings, adding an element of historical charm to the area.

Visitors can explore the region's natural beauty by hiking along numerous trails that crisscross the downs and moorland. Additionally, Alston Moor offers a range of activities such as fishing, cycling, and horse riding, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy in this tranquil corner of Cumberland.

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Alston Moor Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.772232/-2.4290388 or Grid Reference NY7242. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Fields below Bleagate

Across the valley of the South Tyne towards the side valley that contains Black Burn, a considerable stream and a main feeder for the South Tyne. Rain moving in from over the fells.

Gordon Hatton

Approaching Bleagate

Stone barns and white rendered house at Bleagate, where many barking dogs reside in kennels.

Gordon Hatton

Alston Moor

View from the B6277.

Sandy Gerrard

Corner of enclosure with cotton-grass

Seed heads of one of the Eriophorum species of sedge, (it's not a grass), in this corner of an enclosure on Rotherhope Fell which curiously does not qualify as access land under the year 2000 CROW Act. Grey Nag is the distant hill at the left side of the image. Park Fell is cloud-shadowed to the right.

Trevor Littlewood

Grassy moorland beyond dry stone wall

The wall is on the north side of the road which carries the route of the Pennine Way. The moorland beyond it is named vaguely and broadly on OS maps as Alston Moor. The hill dome in the distance lies beyond the valley of the River South Tyne and is also named vaguely on OS Maps as (part of ) Alston Moor, and / or as Middle Fell.

Trevor Littlewood

Trees beside minor road - summer version

The road is heading towards the village at Garrigill. An image made just over four years earlier from an almost identical position conveys a quite different feeling with snow remnants on the distant moorland slopes - Link .

Trevor Littlewood

Path, ferns and wall close to River South Tyne

The footpath is the route of the Pennine Way, here heading towards Garrigill. The river lies to the left, beyond bushes and trees.

Trevor Littlewood

Mine spoil heap beside Pennine Way

The amount of spoil is relatively small but it's greater than just the exposed stony material. It extends to the right where it's grassed over and ends at what must be a mine level which is almost hidden and is flooded to its roof.

Trevor Littlewood

Wall and fences crossing moorland on Staneshaw Rigg

Curiously the wall in the image appears to have been built in something of a groove! Is also appears to have been 'robbed' of stone. It continues ahead where grouse butts have been constructed against it at its full height - presumably, that's where the removed stone went.

Trevor Littlewood