Alston

Five potters, three blacksmiths' forges, three wood turners, two pine furniture makers, a jeweler, an upholsterer and makers of rugs, candles, wooden boxes, hats, knitwear, all living and working within a few miles of each other on Alston Moor.

Why Alston ? It may be cut off by snow in the winter but when the curelews return to nest and the sheep drop their lambs on the rugged fells, the mountain air makes the heart race and the spirits sing.

Alston, England's highest town. Isolated, lived-in and harmonious. Old stone houses grappling their way up the side of the valley by cobbled streets. Narrow passages between the houses lead you into secret lanes. Tortuous upward twists and downward turns. Beyond the town the fells. Beyond the fells the sky.

Crafts in Alston

Pennine Pottery
Converted stone farm buildings in the mountains 2½ miles NE of Alston on A686. Pottery Peaceful, uncluttered pots designed for use. Cookware, tableware, mugs, jugs, fruit bowls, terracotta flower pots. Potter usually visible at work.

Gift Shop Pots sold in cheerful shop. Also gifts, children's toys and locally made food. Cafe Simple meals and snacks served in our tearooms or on the terrace. Bread baked daily in our farmhouse kitchen to accompany your meal. Food aims at excellent simplicity. From aims at excellent simplicity. From April open 10.00 - 5.30. 6 days a week. Closed Mondays except Bank Holidays. After clock changes in Autumn open 10.00 - dark. Closed 2nd January - mid February then open weekends until April. Easy parking: disabled access.

Clargill Head House,
Alston, Cumbria CA9 3NG
Tel: 44 1434 382157

Gossipgate Gallery
lies in a quiet backlane of Alston on the way to the Seven Sisters Waterfall and Packhorse Bridge at Gossipgate. Showing quality art craft from the Northern Region - permanent selection of paintings, sculpture, pottery, jewellery, glass, wood, garden pots and textiles. Exhibitions featuring well established and aspiring young artists and craftspeople - send for programme. Also Coffee Shop, Tea Garden, Interest free loans. Open daily Easter to October 10am - 5pm including Sundays. Winter - Weekends 10.30am - 4.30pm. Weekdays variable and by appointment. (Closed January - mid February)

The Butts,
Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3JU
Tel: 44 1434 381806

Pinehaven
From smithing, pole lathe turning, basketry and pottery, through to contemporary jewellery, clothing, decorative and functional items produced by modern techniques, over thirty members of the 'Alston Craftworkes' co-operative display and sell their goods at Pinehaven. We are open daily from 10 to 5pm and if you can't find exactly what you are looking for perhaps we can make it for you.

The Butts,
Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3JU
Tel: 44 1434 38934