Due to its location the Lovelady Shield Country House Hotel offers a perfect stopover point for those travelling to and from Scotland.

Our hotel is not visible from the road, which adds to its seclusion. The entrance to our drive is at the junction of the A689 and the B6294, which is 2½ miles east of Alston.  Click here for a detailed map

Alston is a small market town with cobbled streets in the Eden District of Cumbria on the borders of Cumbria, Northumbria and County Durham. 

In 1999 Alston was chosen as one of the settings for the film adaptation of "Oliver Twist". You can still see street exhibitions they used in its making.

If you want a local walk just nip down to Alston. Alston's tarmac trail takes you around the town. (a most apt name as Macadam built his first "tarmac" roads in this area). Alston has changed little in over three hundred years. 

Places to Visit
Our hotel provides an ideal location from which to visit many local attractions whilst remaining the peaceful haven to come back to away from the crowds.

The beautiful country side has been designated an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' making it an ideal centre from which to visit three of Britain's most popular national Parks - the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and the Northumberland National Park. 

There are many places to visit and close by are the World Heritage sites of Hadrian's Wall and the beautiful Northumberland National Park. The beautiful cathedral city of Durham is only one hour's drive away.

We have put together some interesting drives that take you through the outstanding countryside of The North Pennines, an area of outstanding natural beauty, taking in some enchanting villages or circular tours of the fabulous Lake District - just ask!

A few ideas for days out...

• Maybe a cruise on one of the lakes may take your fancy.

• A visit to The Bowes Museum (Versailles in the middle of Northumbria).

• Enjoy a ride on the South Tynedale steam and diesel hauled narrow gauge railway.

• Visit the Nenthead Mines Visitor Centre.

• If you want to journey farther why not take a day trip on the famous Carlisle to Settle railway - we can arrange a packed lunch for you.

And there's more ....these are just a few brief ideas and there are plenty more. Remember, when you come back to Lovelady afternoon teas, coffee or that refreshing alcoholic snifter will be waiting in front of roaring log fires together with the anticipation of dinner carefully crafted by Barrie Garton, our own Master Chef.