Alston Heritage was created in 2025 to promote the heritage of Alston Moor in the North Pennines.
It is an association of six local heritage organisations together with Alston Moor Partnership.
Alston Community Photograph 2nd June 2026
Download a free copy2026 Alston Moor Heritage Map
Download a free copy
Go underground at Nenthead Mines. Our volunteer mine guides take you underground on a fascinating trip into an old lead and zinc mine. Hear about how the miners made the tunnels, see how they used candles, get hold of a rock drill, and enjoy the minerals that glow in the dark.
On our special Open Days you can enjoy our home made cakes, get hot drinks and look at our displays of rocks, pictures and old miners tools. We are a charity that takes care of this historic site and we invite you to become a member and join us in our work.
Book your visit via our website. If you want to know more, email us at bookings@nentheadmines.org.
The HUB is a transport and heritage museum depicting the past on Alston Moor through a fascinating collection of photographs, artefacts, memorabilia,vintage cars and motorbikes, all loaned or given by local people.
We are located beside the South Tynedale Railway Station in Alston. Our volunteers open the museum whenever there's trains running. So call in to see our collection of Alston’s history including vehicles, bikes, agricultural relics, domestic memories, terrific collection of photographs and much, much more.
Visit the North of England’s highest narrow-gauge railway and climb aboard at any of our four stations for a leisurely ride through the South Tyne Valley in the North Pennines National Landscape.
The view from our heritage carriages will take your breath away as you catch glimpses of the river below you and pass by fields and banks of wildflowers. You may be lucky enough to spot roe deer or a red squirrel as you journey gently on in a train hauled by one of our heritage locomotives.
Take advantage of your Rover ticket to ride and then walk along the South Tyne Trail which runs adjacent to our line, or travel all day if you wish. Your ticket also includes a visit to our engineering workshop viewing gallery where you will learn more about the railway. Signal box tours can usually be arranged, just speak with one of our volunteers.
Our main sites (excluding signal boxes) are accessible and dogs are welcome everywhere. With large free car parks, refreshment and toilet facilities at both ends of the line and a programme of special events throughout the year, a visit to South Tynedale Railway makes for a great day out.
Visit Epiacum – a landscape rich in history set within the North Pennines National Landscape. There is evidence of at least 3,000 years of human occupation and use of the land.
Epiacum Roman Fort is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and sits on the Maiden Way, which was probably an essential supply route to and from Hadrian’s Wall. The fort was constructed with an unusual lozenge shaped layout and has impressive defensive ramparts to the north and west.
Wellhouse Bastle houses an exhibition describing the life and times of the Border Reivers here in the “Debateable Lands” and is one of the six bastle houses found on site ~ making good use of the stone the Romans left behind.
These historic structures sit within a working upland farm which has exceptional views and a diverse natural landscape where lapwings and curlews return each year in the spring. For walkers the site is linked by permissive paths to both the Pennine Way and South Tynedale Trail.
Free parking is available at The Nook Farm Shop and Café which is situated 2 miles from Alston on the A689 to Brampton.
For more information go to our website www.epaicumheritage.org or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Epiacum/
The story of Alston Moor is filled with Romans, miners, farmers, poets, artists, musicians and the lives of everyday people who have created our unique area.
Based in Alston Town Hall we run a regular programme of talks and visits and we have a large archive of historical documents maps and photographs
Our Society works to collect preserve and make available the story of Alston Moor through books, documents, maps newspaper cuttings and photographs covering all aspects of our rich heritage.
The Archive can be visited in Alston Town Hall and also explored through the on-line Catalogue and Digital Archive.
The Archive is normally open every Saturday from 12.00 to 2.00pm and at other times by appointment.
High Mill
CURRENTLY UNDER DEVELOPMENT.
High Mill is an 18th century corn mill designed by John Smeaton. Milling ceased here in the early 20th century but the waterwheel and main cog still remain. Plans in the coming years aim to develop the site to preserve and exhibit it's rich history.
Built in 1767 to the design of John Smeaton, considered the world's first Civil Engineer, High Mill was quickly extended sideways and upwards. Smeaton's rare design of the original 30ft x 10inch overshot, pitch back waterwheel was able to produce more power with less water. Once the Mill ceased to Mill corn in the early 20th century it became part of the war effort of WW2 where a company called NECACO manufactured parts for aircraft. In 1947 it was sold to Precision Products, The first company in the world to use the SHAW process The products ranged from highly accurate steel casting for industry to golf club heads.
It is currently being developed along with the adjoining factory into an arts and trades hub as well as a heritage centre, with a walkthrough of the wheelhouse and ending in the 'secret room', which we have not opened yet!
The site will be open at specific times during the national heritage open days this year with local historian Alastair Robertson and owner Jon Muir giving talks and tours, while under development.
