The last wilderness of England

What to do around Nenthead

Walks abound on the doorstep of this beautiful cottage. Nenthead is situated in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the first UNESCO European Geopark, home to wild moors, dramatic fells, rivers and waterfalls and wildlife. It has earned the moniker of being the last wilderness of England and once you are up here, you will probably agree. It is one of the last areas where native English red squirrels still exist. If you are extremely lucky you may see one outside the cottage, get your camera ready, they are very elusive but once you see those red tufty ears you will never forget them!

The North Pennines is the northernmost section of the Pennine range of hills which runs north–south through northern England. It lies between Carlisle to the west and Darlington to the east. It is bounded to the north by the Tyne Valley and to the south by the Stainmore Gap. The area has a rich mining history and the people are amazing, friendly and welcoming to all. We may be biased but we believe that this is a truly magical place and we hope you choose it for your next holiday.

We are located right on the A689, which is part of the Coast to Coast cycle route, popular with cyclists and leads over beautiful vistas and scenery the likes of which will stay in your memory for years afterwards. Just across from the cottage, across the River Nent, is Isaac’s Tea Trail, a wonderful  trail that stretches from Alston, England’s highest town, with Allendale and includes romantic hamlets like Ninebanks and our own old lead mining village of Nenthead.

The A689 is the highest road in England and if you are lucky to stay with us over winter, you may be blessed with snowy vistas stretching as far as the eye can see just a few minutes up the road. We get so much snow at times that you may want to bring your ski / snowboarding equipment, as up the road we have Yad Moss Ski Centre. To the left of the cottage the road goes straight to the Lake District over the famous Hartside Pass, which is breathtaking at the summit, where you can see as far as Scotland and the Solway Firth and the majestic peaks of the Lake District. It is perhaps not a surprise to local people in the know that the AA classed this drive in the Top 10 most scenic drives in the world. From there you descend into the Eden Valley, which is the gateway to the Lake District and easily accessed for fun days out. But the real beauty of this gem of a cottage is its location. A week will not be enough to sample everything that this cottage has within easy access. You will be spoilt for choice!  Nenthead is in Cumbria and situated near 3 county borders, beautiful Northumberland and its Dark Skies, Hadrian’s wall and more, pretty County Durham and the Weardale Valley with Englands biggest waterfall, High Force, beautiful Barnard Castle and its lovely charity shops, cafes and independent shops, not to mention the breathtaking museum based on the Palace of Versailles, Bowes Museum and last but not least Yorkshire Dales. The relative obscurity of the North Pennines has meant that many authors and historians have referred to this area as the last wilderness of England. We believe this fits the bill completely. Here you can see the elusive red squirrel, sauntering down the street with his tufty ears and beautiful tail (Try and get a picture if you’re quick enough, they are close to extinction and are therefore a protected species and very rare to spot in England now), you can watch our resident bunnies play in the garden, say hello to our resident horses in the stables, wave to the sheep in the field beyond, and marvel at the beautiful plumage of the pheasants who stalk around looking for food in the paddock.

But don’t take our word for granted, we have put together a page here that lists all our recommendations in the local areas. We welcome your feedback as it is inevitable that you will also stumble across your own little gems in this beautiful area, if so, please do email us and let us know so we can add it on the website for more people like you to enjoy.

This is what we fell in love with over twenty years ago when working in the area, and now we feel blessed to be able to offer our home to visitors, families, pets and children alike. We hope that this is the start of beautiful memories for you and your loved ones, and we sincerely hope that you treasure this cottage and come back and enjoy it again and again.

Within walking distance

-       C2C cycle route (on the doorstep)

-       Isaac’s Tea Trail (from the house, turn right and follow the main road for about 200m until there is a turning on the left. Follow the foothpath signs around the corner which will take you alongside the River Nent directly opposite Cranmore Cottage.)

-       Nenthead Mines (Carr’s Mine) – You can’t come to Nenthead and not learn about its interesting mining past. See their website for opening hours – Explore an old zinc and lead mine with a knowledgeable tour guide, tea and cake available at the end of your tour!

-       2 minutes walk (turn right from our front door) The Hive at Nenthead is a beautiful restored Wesleyan chapel providing  catering evenings, café, poet/music/comedian performances and art gallery to the local community. Free wi-fi, dog friendly and induction loop. Highly recommended. Check their website for opening times (Covid-dependent).

-       Numerous beautiful footpaths within walking distance. We list a few here. Garrigill to Alston and back via Nenthead.

-       Dog enclosed field (from the house turn left and walk up the hill until you have passed the houses and approach a dog poo bin on the right, with a gate. The field is through the gate and is safely enclosed for dogs.

Within a short drive (5-20 minutes away)

-       Hartside Pass is a must-see. It is only 16 minutes drive away from the Cottage. Turn left and follow the road through Alston, following signs for Penrith. Bring a good camera and a picnic lunch if you want, although there is a van selling buns and other hot food sometimes. On a clear day you can see for miles, to the peaks of the Lake District and as far as Scotland over the Solway.

• High Cup Nick & Peeping Hill is a circular walk that includes a waterfall. High Cup Nick is on the Pennine Way, and is a magnificent deep chasm on the Pennine fellside. It is just one example of the spectacular geological formations that are found in this area. The valley it overlooks it the best glaciated valley in Northern England. You can also see the crags that form High Force and Cauldron Snout.

-       Alston (8 minutes drive away) is the highest town in England. It is a quaint cobbled town with lovely cafes and shops, well worth spending an afternoon in. Try Saddlers Bakery for delicious baked fare. There is a pharmacy and a Co-Op and Spar mini market for your basic necessities. Most days there is a local produce market stall in the middle of the town.

-       South Tynedale Railway, Alston -England’s highest narrow-gauge railway. A fun and scenic day out with the children on their steam or diesel locomotives riding through the breathtaking beauty of the North Pennines. Call ahead if you want to make sure it is a steam train you ride, as they are not used every day. Trains run from Alston to Slaggyford.

-       Hub Heritage and Transport Museum, Alston – If you love your classic cars then this is a worthwhile place to visit. Housing a charming collection of old cars, bicycles and motorbikes, this small museum is a celebration of the Alston area with old photos and other items to explore.

-       Yad Moss Ski Centre – in the winter depending on snow conditions this ski slope is open for experienced skiers. More information available here.

-       Ashgill Force Waterfall – 6 minutes drive away – 17 metres high, beautiful waterfall near Garrigill (the next village from Nenthead). This is the highest waterfall in this area. Reach it from the footpath at Ashgill Bridge after descending through a magical wooded gorge.

- Lazonby Open Air Swimming Pool - 36 mins drive away - Public open air swimming pool in a pretty village just at the foot of Hartside Pass in the beautiful Eden Valley.

-       Epiacum Roman Fort (12 minutes away) – one of the best preserved Roman forts in England. It was built as a supplement to Hadrian’s wall’s defences. Hares, curlews and skylarks are plentiful here, keep watch as you ascend towards the top and you will be rewarded with beautiful views across the North Pennines. There is a farm shop and café should you fancy something to eat after your walk.

-       Cow Green Reservoir is one of the highest reservoirs in England. 2 miles long and on the famed Pennine Way, this makes for an interesting walk with the wild moorland as a backdrop and the mind-numbing views that are typical of this area especially if you venture off the beaten track.

Further Afield

The Lake District

Perhaps the most famous area to explore with ease from our cottage is the Lake District. We are about 50 minutes drive away from Pooley Bridge, which is the gateway to Ullswater, the second largest lake. The route will take you on the A689 from our cottage over Hartside Pass through the beautiful Eden Valley and Penrith and into the National Park. From there you can explore the many beautiful villages, tarns and lakes of the Park.

50 mins drive to Pooley Bridge, Ullswater Lake, Lake District (Boat/kayak/canadian canoe hire, windsurfing and sailing classes)

• 1 hour 25 minutes drive to Windemere

• 1 hour 15 minutes drive to Kendal

• 50 minutes drive to Carlisle

• 15 mins drive to Hartside Pass

• 40 minutes drive to Penrith

• 50 minutes drive to Keswick

Eden Valley, Cumbria

Lowther Castle and Gardens (45 minutes drive) – Highly recommended. Beautiful castle near Penrith. The house used to be derelict but is now restored and has wonderful gardens to explore as well. The Lost Castle is an adventure playground for younger members of your family and there is also a bicycle hire and path which takes in the beautiful countryside of the Eden Valley and its surroundings. In summer, Lowther Country Fair is amazing for all ages, with horse carriage driving, various animal shows, hound shows and world class championships such as gundog, clay shooting etc. We have seen shows including stunt shows on beautiful horses, medieval jousting and more there. Absolutely a date to put in your calendar!

Long Meg and her Daughters (30 minutes drive)

Local legend states that these were a witch’s coven turned to stone forever more by a wizard from Scotland. Soak in the Bronze Age vibes here amidst tranquil surroundings and the backdrop, as ever, of the mountains. It is the second largest stone circle in England. William Wordsworth wrote ‘Next to Stonehenge it is beyond dispute the most notable relic that this or probably any other country contains.’

 Shap Abbey, Penrith (35 minutes drive)

Built in 1199, these historic ancient ruins are wonderful to explore. They are in a secluded valley by the river Lowther and are significant as they were the last monastery to be dissolved by Henry the Eighth of Tudor fame. You can find out more here.

King Arthur’s Round Table, Penrith (35 minutes drive)

King Arthur's Round Table is a Neolithic earthwork henge, dating from about 2000 BC, but much later believed to be King Arthur's jousting arena. Dogs on a leash are welcome. Find out more here.

Brougham Castle

Built in the early 13th century this beautiful castle is set next to the River Eamont. This is a fascinating day out, especially for a picnic with the whole family. Try climbing to the top of the keep for amazing views across the surrounding Eden countryside.

Rookin House Adventure Centre (55 minutes drive)

Based in beautiful Troutbeck, this makes for a great day out with the kids. Rookin House offers paintballing, off-road driving, quad biking, horse riding, archery, clay pigeon shooting and fishing.

 County Durham

- Barnard Castle and Bowes Museum, County Durham (40 minutes drive)

A favourite of ours, this beautiful town and its palace (Bowes Museum) based on Versailles is a great museum to explore with the family.

 - High Force and Low Force Waterfalls (25 minutes drive) – High Force (Force was the Viking word for waterfall) Park in the Bowlees Visitor Centre which also acts as a gateway to the North Pennines AONB and has tons of information on what to do in the area. Alternatively you can park in the Raby estate car park, signposted High Force Hotel and waterfall but beware you only have 10 minutes to get a ticket or be fined.

Northumberland and Hadrian’s Wall

Northumberland is a truly magical county and in Cranmore Cottage we are only minutes away from the border. This county contains more castles than any other county in England, so it makes sense to try and find some castles nearby.

The most famous castle is a little further afield, but is doable as a day trip. 1 hour and 30 minutes drive away is Alnwick Castle, of Downton Abbey and Harry Potter’s Hogwarts fame.

Not too far from the cottage is Hadrian’s wall country, a testament to the power of the Roman invaders of yore. Housesteads Roman Fort and Museum is situated in Haydon Bridge, which is about 40 minutes drive to the North of the cottage.

Hexham (40 minutes away) is one of the nearest towns with a dark Viking past. Visit the beautiful Abbey and Sele Grounds or do some shopping. Hexham is home to England’s very first purpose built prison, the Old Gaol.

Allendale (20 minutes away) is a beautiful and charming village set in beautiful countryside. As always the drive from the cottage is extremely scenic. Highly recommended - take the route via Carrshield. This takes you over the highest public road in England, the sweeping vistas will take your breath away in any season.

Pay a visit to Langley Castle Hotel, a resplendent castle near us, about 25 minutes away from us.

Kielder Observatory - highly recommended. 1 hour and a half drive away in Kielder Forest, a designated Dark Skies Park and the largest one of its kind in Europe. Cranmore Cottage also benefits from beautiful dark skies, and we have equipped the cottage with a firepit and seating area for gazing at the stars late at night.