Base yourself in a stunning setting at our cosy Low Annat Walls farmhouse. Built circa 1707, we have lovingly renovated the house to include a new sunroom with sweeping views of the valley and Cross Fell, a sauna with outdoor shower, fire places, a brand new kitchen (wine fridge, warming oven and combination oven, etc.), updated bathrooms, high speed WiFi, and a generous entry porch for muddy boots. Located about one mile outside of England's highest market town of Alston, the house has easy access to amenities, yet also enjoys tremendous privacy, incredible night skies, and many local walks. The farmhouse is ideal for those seeking both adventure and rest & relaxation.
THE PERFECT BASE FOR EXPLORING
In the middle of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and UNESCO Global Geopark, the Pennine Way and South Tyne River are in the valley immediately below the property. The area is thus ideal for hikers, bikers, golfers and cyclists (Alston is the mid-point and high-point of the Coast to Coast Cycle Trail). Yet, Low Annat Walls is also also the perfect place to get away from it all, to read, write, paint, meditate, simply to restore your soul.
Alston is an easy 20-minute walk away along the unpaved farm track overlooking the valley. There is ample parking for three cars but please note that the path to the house is not tarred hence we recommend using an SUV or a regular car with high clearance.
Explore Alston with its many small shops, tea room cafe's, and local pubs. The Roman fort Epiacum, the South Tyne Railway, Crossfell, Hartside Pass and one of England's highest golf courses are all just outside the village. Hadrian's Wall, the Lake District National Park, Carlisle, Newcastle, Durham, the spectacular East and West Coasts of Northern England and the Scottish Boarders, Northumbria National Park are all about an hour away. Alston is in the center of the North Pennine Moors on the borders of Cumbria, Northumberland and Durham and just South of Hadrian's Wall--at the narrowest part of England close to the Scottish Border.
The three river valleys of Tynedale, Weardale and Teesdale (with the spectacular High Force Waterfall) are all readily accessible--with numerous walks, pubs, tea rooms, and villages to explore.
The area is old, rich with history and culture from pre-Roman, Roman through the Middle Ages and innumerable border wars with Scotland (there are many castles in the region to find and explore)--through to the more modern and dangerous times of the Boarder Reivers (14th through late 17th Century), and on to the industrial period (17th through the early 20th Century) with lead, silver, coal and fluorspar mining. You will soon see that farming--particularly sheep farming across the moors and the dry-stone wall bordered fields has been a constant in the area throughout these turbulent times.
A PLACE TO RELAX
After a day of exploring, relax in the living room in front of the fire place or in the sun room with its sweeping vistas of the surrounding moors and river valley. Watch out for the barn-owl, deer, pheasant, grouse, the myriad birds, sheep, highland cows, chickens, ducks and, if you are lucky--a rare glimpse of a red squirrel in the woods. In the summer, prepare a delicious meal in our fully equipped kitchen and enjoy it al fresco on the stone patio or around the fire pit.
After a day of hiking or biking you may also want to experience the sauna and cold outdoor shower before sleeping in one of the three tastefully decorated and comfortable bedrooms. At night time, on a clear night, stargazing is an absolute must as the dark skies allow an unparalleled view of the Milky Way Galaxy, constellations, planets and nebulae. We are also right next to the Alston Moor Observatory (it's at the Alston Golf Club) and just over 30 miles from the Kielder Dark Skies Observatory.
CONNECTIVITY
While you are spending time far away from everything you will still be able to stay connected or work with broadband throughout the house. Please note that the house has no TV--as we think of each window as a personal TV to the ever evolving dynamic landscape.
