The Milking Parlour Alston

The Milking Parlour is a barn conversion just outside Alston. It's one of three at the row, all behind our house. You get your own cottage, your own sitting-out area at the front, and shared use of the hot tub. The view from the tub looks out over fields towards Mount Hooley.

It sleeps four. Two bedrooms, one bathroom. It's a 3 Star place, meaning it's clean and comfortable, not posh. Because it's an old building converted, the ceilings are a bit low in places. Fine if you're average height, just mind your head if you're tall.

Alston town is about a mile away, up the road. It's a proper little market town with cobbles, a Co-op for groceries, a few pubs that do food, and some cafes. The South Tynedale Railway is there if you like narrow gauge trains.

For walking, you're right on it. The Pennine Way goes past the end of the drive. You can head off from the door. The North Pennines area is all around, good for cycling too if you bring bikes. There's storage here.

Inside, it's open plan downstairs with the kitchen, dining and living area together. There's a wood burning stove, a TV, WiFi, and a washing machine. Bedding and towels are included. One well-behaved dog is allowed. Parking is right outside.

If you want to drive out, Hadrian's Wall is about half an hour east. The Lake District is roughly an hour's drive west. Beamish Museum is just over an hour. Alston itself is up in the hills, so it feels remote, but you can get to a lot within 90 minutes.

Useful links: Visit North Pennines, Lake District National Park, and English Heritage for Hadrian's Wall.