Agricultural History Review, Volume 62 Part 1 (2014), p. 176

£14.95. Although the research behind this book was undertaken for one purpose, the results have been reworked for a different audience and the outcome is something of a tour de force. English Heritage’s remit includes giving advice and, in order to be able to do that, a considerable amount of research may be required to underpin a consistent approach to the varied environments to be found across England. Alston Moor is one in a series of booklets published under the general heading of ‘Informed Conservation’, which examine the ‘impact from climate change and new social and economic trends’. As the owner of two earlier publications in the series I think Alston Moor raises its game to a remarkable extent, for this is an outstanding book especially when its size and price are taken into account.

For those unfamiliar with the extreme North West of England, it must be explained that, for a number of reasons, Alston has iconic status. Firstly, it has a geology which (amongst other things) was to generate huge wealth. Secondly, that wealth (and its subsequent rapid decline) resulted in an unusual demographic profile. Thirdly, Alston’s situation high up in the Pennines results in a dramatic location with stunning views and skyscapes of breath-taking beauty. Each of these elements is discussed and thoroughly illustrated here.

Alston Moor is part of a relatively isolated upland area lying in the far north of England between Penrith and Durham and forms part of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is well known in geological circles for giving its name to the ‘Alston Block’ and for its silver-rich lead deposits, which have been exploited for at least the last 3000 years. (Those who would like to know more about Alston’s geology should go to www.bgs.ac.uk and enter ‘Alston Block’ in the search engine). The modern town has many idiosyncratic features, not least the way its main street appears to climb vertically when approached along the A686 from the direction of Hartside Fell. But this ancient market town is only one component of the wider area under discussion here. This is primarily a landscape and buildings book and the authors do a fine job in both the quality and depths of those discussions and in the wealth of maps and illustrations that serve to complement them. Not least is the very effective use of LIDAR images so that the reader can truly follow the features across the landscape.

The text draws useful comparisons with surrounding areas and puts Alston in its context in a number of remarkable ways. In particular, by using the history of the built-environment and the industrial archaeology they deliver a narrative of Alston’s population, its dramatic rise and fall and the activities of the varied social groups who lived there at different times.

Although it may seem overly critical (given the value for money represented by this booklet) there are nits to pick. In a text of this quality and depth, an index and glossary would have been appropriate. Furthermore, although there is a ‘reference and further reading’ list, it appears to only give the former, with little of the latter to take an interested reader onward. But, enough carping: this is a first-rate book and could well be a model of how to use thorough research to generate a readable and illuminating text.