Day 14 - Tuesday 21 May 2019
Greenhead to Alston (16.3 miles)
We were really impressed with The Greenhead Hotel and it was clear to see they have invested a fair chunk of cash into its refurbishment. No complaints from us - a lovely room, nice meal and a super breakfast menu which made a refreshing change therefore we dined on Eggs Benedict this morning. The weather today started out cool & overcast but did turn out warm and sunny later therefore I used a makeshift drying method on my underpants prior to departure.
Heading out of Greenhead we followed The Pennine Way which we would more or less remain on until tomorrow afternoon just below Cross Fell. After crossing the thankfully quiet A69 we headed up onto Blenkinsopp Common where we bumped into a couple of Pennine Way walkers. They had come up from Batey Shield and were only off to Greenhead as they were having 2 short days on the bounce. Today's terrain was super as we headed over lush farmland to reach the A689 at Lambley. After a leisurely lunch outside Lambley Church we set off and decided not to continue on the official route but to pass below Lambley Viaduct and continue on to Alston via the South Tyne Trial. We had walked along this section before and enjoyed it and whilst it is flat for the most part, the views and interest are extremely varied. Arriving at Slaggyford we were surprised to be diverted off the trail slightly and soon saw why - the station and surrounding area has had a complete rebuild and looks superb. Even better we spotted that there was a Buffet Car style cafe at the end of the platform therefore we sat down and had a drink, cake and a very pleasant chat to one of the station volunteers.
Just as were getting ready to leave we had a quick chat with 2 Pennine Way walkers who were completing the route from North to South and who we recognised from the Greenhead Hotel last night - they too had decided to avoid the main route and take the detour along the South Tyne Trail.
We pressed on to Alston and were delighted to see the train pass by us on its way to & from Slaggyford. Due to the terrain of stony track our feet were hot when we finally arrived in Alston therefore we dropped our gear off at Lowbyer and headed for one of the pubs in Alston for a quick drink. A cyclist we bumped into just before Alston recommended a particular pub and we duly pitched up - whilst the Cider was cold the place was a real dump unfortunately. Headed back to the B&B via the Co-op and spent the rest of the evening relaxing with a Carpet Picnic and sorting out kit.
Heading out of Greenhead we followed The Pennine Way which we would more or less remain on until tomorrow afternoon just below Cross Fell. After crossing the thankfully quiet A69 we headed up onto Blenkinsopp Common where we bumped into a couple of Pennine Way walkers. They had come up from Batey Shield and were only off to Greenhead as they were having 2 short days on the bounce. Today's terrain was super as we headed over lush farmland to reach the A689 at Lambley. After a leisurely lunch outside Lambley Church we set off and decided not to continue on the official route but to pass below Lambley Viaduct and continue on to Alston via the South Tyne Trial. We had walked along this section before and enjoyed it and whilst it is flat for the most part, the views and interest are extremely varied. Arriving at Slaggyford we were surprised to be diverted off the trail slightly and soon saw why - the station and surrounding area has had a complete rebuild and looks superb. Even better we spotted that there was a Buffet Car style cafe at the end of the platform therefore we sat down and had a drink, cake and a very pleasant chat to one of the station volunteers.
Just as were getting ready to leave we had a quick chat with 2 Pennine Way walkers who were completing the route from North to South and who we recognised from the Greenhead Hotel last night - they too had decided to avoid the main route and take the detour along the South Tyne Trail.
We pressed on to Alston and were delighted to see the train pass by us on its way to & from Slaggyford. Due to the terrain of stony track our feet were hot when we finally arrived in Alston therefore we dropped our gear off at Lowbyer and headed for one of the pubs in Alston for a quick drink. A cyclist we bumped into just before Alston recommended a particular pub and we duly pitched up - whilst the Cider was cold the place was a real dump unfortunately. Headed back to the B&B via the Co-op and spent the rest of the evening relaxing with a Carpet Picnic and sorting out kit.
No heating in the room last night therefore what better way of drying ones Apple Catchers than hanging them off your rucksack.
Fudge gives a disapproving look.
Fudge gives a disapproving look.
After leaving Greenhead the route crosses the A69 - really quiet today thankfully
We would follow the Pennine Way for the majority of the day today
The Trig Point on Blenkinsopp Common
Correct - it's not!!
Pleasant meadow walking near Batey Shield
The ruin at High House
From Batey Shield the route heads over rough farmland to reach the A689
Looking back at our route from the stile that gives access to the A689 - the road was quiet and is only followed for a few hundred yards.
Slightly off route we visited a lovely old bridge on farmland near Lambley
The lovely church of St Mary & St Patrick in Lambley - made for a very pleasant lunch stop
Lambley Viaduct - we passed along the top of the viaduct during our Pennine Way Crossing in 2015.
Lambley viaduct crosses the River South Tyne as a series of elegant stone arches. More than 260 m (850 ft) long, it once carried the Haltwhistle to Alston railway. The railway, which was opened in 1852 to haul coal and lead from the Alston mines, closed in 1976 and the viaduct was then allowed to decay. In 1991 the British Rail Property Board agreed to repair the viaduct and hand it over to the North Pennine Heritage Trust who would maintain it in the future; however the Trust went into administration in 2011. The viaduct was probably designed by George Barclay Bruce an eminent Victorian engineer who was involved in the Alston line before leaving for India to pioneer railway construction there. The piers to the arches are built of massive rough-faced stones each weighing up to 500 kilograms (1,100 lb), with similar-sized stones in ashlar to the main arch voussoirs. The spandrels and piers to the 6-metre (20 ft) wide approach arches are built of coursed rubble masonry. One end of the viaduct has been fenced off after the path was diverted in 2004 to pass further away from Lambley Station which is now a private house although the viaduct can still be crossed by pedestrians.
Lambley viaduct crosses the River South Tyne as a series of elegant stone arches. More than 260 m (850 ft) long, it once carried the Haltwhistle to Alston railway. The railway, which was opened in 1852 to haul coal and lead from the Alston mines, closed in 1976 and the viaduct was then allowed to decay. In 1991 the British Rail Property Board agreed to repair the viaduct and hand it over to the North Pennine Heritage Trust who would maintain it in the future; however the Trust went into administration in 2011. The viaduct was probably designed by George Barclay Bruce an eminent Victorian engineer who was involved in the Alston line before leaving for India to pioneer railway construction there. The piers to the arches are built of massive rough-faced stones each weighing up to 500 kilograms (1,100 lb), with similar-sized stones in ashlar to the main arch voussoirs. The spandrels and piers to the 6-metre (20 ft) wide approach arches are built of coursed rubble masonry. One end of the viaduct has been fenced off after the path was diverted in 2004 to pass further away from Lambley Station which is now a private house although the viaduct can still be crossed by pedestrians.
Whitwham Farm
Enjoying a lovely flat section along the South Tyne Trail all the way to Alston
Burnstones
A bridge crossing the South Tyne Trail just south of Burnstones
Yew Tree Chapel near Slaggyford - once a Church and latterly a B&B, we think it is now a private dwelling
Slaggyford Station
Fantastic bonus - last time we were here the station at Slaggyford was in a pretty sorry state. It has now been extensively renovated and as such now had an excellent buffet car cafe. As is tradition, we helped them with their stock control.
The thing with long distance walking is that it makes you lose a lot of weight - as can be seen, Angie and I were looking pretty trim.
The beautiful station at Slaggyford
The engine "Old Rusty"
This locomotive is an ex-mines loco of Hudswell-Clarke manufacture and was built in 1961. It has six coupled wheels, is 18 feet long and weighs in at 15 tons. The engine has a six cylinder Gardner 6LW engine, rated at 100 h.p., with maximum revolutions of 1750 r.p.m. It last worked for the National Coal Board at Vane Tempest colliery near Seaham in County Durham where it was used for training drivers. When the colliery closed, it was bought by Arthur Belshaw and taken to the South Tynedale Railway.
This locomotive is an ex-mines loco of Hudswell-Clarke manufacture and was built in 1961. It has six coupled wheels, is 18 feet long and weighs in at 15 tons. The engine has a six cylinder Gardner 6LW engine, rated at 100 h.p., with maximum revolutions of 1750 r.p.m. It last worked for the National Coal Board at Vane Tempest colliery near Seaham in County Durham where it was used for training drivers. When the colliery closed, it was bought by Arthur Belshaw and taken to the South Tynedale Railway.
Cheer up mate - it can't be that bad surely?
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The well kept stations of Lintley Halt & Kirkhaugh on the South Tynedale Railway
Crossing the border into Cumbria from Northumberland.......
... and here we are, finally arriving at Alston
Alston signal box - like all buildings on the line, it was in excellent condition
Alston Station
Lovely old signs in Alston
The Market Cross in Alston
Day 14 Data
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Mileage
Cumulative Mileage Time Total Ascent |
16.3 miles
162.4 7hrs 40mins 1592ft (485m) |