Activities in the North Pennines and Cumbria the Lake District

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Walking is probably the most popular activity around here. All the cottages have a folder of walks and an Ordnance Survey Map. You don't have to drive somewhere for a walk - you can go for a 20 minute stroll along the river to the pub in Nenthead, or put your boots on and walk up through our Christmas Trees to the top of the fell where there are superb views north to Hadrians Wall & Scotland and south to the peaks of the Pennines (Cross Fell, Great Dun Fell, etc)
Hadrian's Wall is about an hour by car, and the best walk is from Steele Rigg to Housesteads. Part way along the walk is 'Robin Hood's Tree' where they filmed Kevin Costner as Robin Hood.
Our favourite walk is from the nearby village of Garrigill to Ashgill Force, a spectacular waterfall that you can walk behind.

There are lots of quiet lanes and tracks for Cycling and Mountain Biking, but be warned it is rather hilly around here!
The C2C (sea to sea) cycle route comes through Alston and Nenthead

Pony Trekking is available at Sinderhope Pony Trekking Centre in nearby Allendale.

There are two nearby Golf Courses in Alston and Allendale. A friend of ours who is a keen golfer wrote some notes for us about the Alston Moor Golf Course

There is a lovely private indoor Swimming Pool in the next village, Garrigill, that you can rent for £15 per hour for up to 8 people. St Johns Pool also has a Sauna and a Jacuzzi. Don't forget to bring your swimming costumes on holiday!

Quad biking is quite popular and is available at Rookin House Farm and at Greystoke Castle (both near Penrith)

For Climbing, Canyoning, Caving etc, Alston Training & Adventure Centre can arrange it.

Birdwatching has not been one of our interests but since living here we have become more & more interested in the birds around us. We look forward to the Lapwings returning in the Spring to our fields, and we have even got up at five! in the morning to go and see Black Grouse lekking (male courtship display). The North Pennines with its traditional farming and sparse population is one of the last refuges in England for many species, particularly the Black Grouse. Nick Mason has started RealBirder Tours. In addition to fully inclusive birdwatching weekends, he can take you out birdwatching at the best sites. Email Nick or phone him (07857 200 144) to discuss your requirements.

The local area is riddled with old lead mines and the area is a mecca for Caving & Mine Exploration. Enthusiasts should look at www.mineexplorer.org.uk/nentheadinfo.htm for details about the area. However, you do not have to be an enthusiast - two mines are open to the public. Killhope Mine and Nenthead Mines are both old lead mines and both do underground tours.
Just below our cottages there is a mine entrance - an old horse level. You can walk in a bit, but should not venture in too far unless accompanied by an experienced person. (Some guys kitted me out and took me in - it was very interesting. The water only came up to the tops of my legs!)

Rock House Estate