The Nook Farm Shop & Cafe

01/08/2026

This was nice to start a Saturday morning off with!

Reviewers repeatedly highlight the "delicious" food and generous portions, calling it "a must when visiting Alston".

31/07/2026

Poppy has had a profitable day selling books but we have moved indoors!
She has made a little display in the retail area and an honesty box to collect her donations! 🥰

I will make a manager of her yet!!

31/07/2026

We are open today until 4pm (ish)
And have an exclusive book sale , manned by Poppy ( aged 9)

She was shy for the photo so hid under her table ! (Not like her at all!!)

She is selling her books ( some are like new) and all proceeds are going to her holiday fund in Gran Canaria later in the year!

We are keeping her going with snacks from the cafe but she would love you to pop into her pop up shop and take a look! 🤣🤣

29/07/2026

We are OPEN toddy - 9-4pm

No roadworks, no risk of being turned back ….. just OPEN!
What a relief!!

My wonderful staff have worked so hard and cooperatively throughout , so now we need to put everything back in gear and hit the road running!

After reducing our menu over the last ten days , We are back to normal, with our full range of breakfast and lunch.

Come and join us today , or plan us in for a visit soon!

You can make a “day of it” by adding in a walk - up to the Roman Fort or down to the South Tynedale Railway for a walk in the area!

Or bring the kids for a walk around our Venatus Trail - hunt out the clues and find out about the local landscape ! ( certificates for successful competition !)
It’s suitable for ages 6 -12 although lots of adults love it too! 😃

28/07/2026

We are doing a happy dance tonight …. The A689 is OPEN ( with white lines done too!)
So…. After 8/9 days closure we are ready to fully open our doors again!

Thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout - determined customers who came the long way round deliberately , to those who were lost but found us incidentally, to those who sympathised with our frustrations!

We are genuinely pleased that the road to us will be smoother from now on , grateful to the contractors who kept us informed , sent lost people to us and even came in themselves for breakfast!

Next time , wherever Westmorland and Furness are working , I hope they make a better job of the signage! It was ridiculous and unnecessarily misleading!

We are so looking forward to seeing our many regulars again!

26/07/2026

UPDATE ( MONDAY MORNING)

From the contractors
Tramac today
Pavements and white lines Tuesday

Possibly open Wednesday if all goes to plan !!!

It’s been an interesting week at The Nook!
Less business ( as expected ) which we planned and prepared for!
But what lovely customers arrived!

Many confused and bewildered , maps in hand , thankful for a coffee or snack as they considered their new route!!

We are hoping the end is in sight ….. tentatively hoping the road will reopen early this coming week!

But we will reopen Monday morning , as always and hope that somehow you will find us ( intentionally or otherwise )!

We have been called an “oasis” more than once this week and we value the appreciation!

Stay alert ….. brush up on your map reading if you’re heading to us from the South or intending getting beyond us from the North!!

21/07/2026

I tried to speak to Westmorland and Furness highways team today concerning the obviously ridiculous signage up on the approach roads to Alston
The lady I spoke to kept saying “I am not sure where you mean” ( probably from some call centre in Barrow!)
Waste of time !
They will get back to me “within 10 days”

The contractors and motorists are getting mad and I think I should be paid a bonus for “tourist information” trying to direct so many people back on to the right roads!

I am considering putting my own signs up in the fields ……. “Coffee? FOod? Toilets? Help with directions?….. STOP HERE “

Honestly ….. if they worked In a Brewery they couldn’t organise a “party”

We are OPEN ….. keep on the road and you will find us - but if you’re intending to get beyond us make sure you have your Sat Nav at hand!!!

Thanks to all the people calling in to support us?

21/07/2026

In spite of the annoying road closure between us and Alston , we are OPEN every day!

Come and join us ( we would be very grateful at what should be one of our busiest times !)

The road is closed beyond us ( closer to Alston ) for this week at least!

We are serving a limited menu but still have lots of lovely options , including a range of homemade cakes - and of course , our lovely Pumphreys coffee!

We were steadily busy yesterday - lots of “lost people” looking for the diversion!!!

Hopefully you can find your way!

CA9 3BG
Epiacum Roman Fort
A689 Brampton to Alston road

20/07/2026

We will be OPEN throughout the road closure!
From 9.30 -3.30 to enable staff to get in via the long diversion!

Access is fine from Haltwhistle / Brampton and Carlisle.

Walking access from Alston is also fine , so if you’re feeling “hemmed in” you can walk down the railway and up through the permissive access to The Nook or Epiacum Roman Fort

( our kids clue trail is a nice way to spend an afternoon , or a trip up to our Bastle House )

It’s going to be a frustrating “10 days” but we would value your continued support
I thought long and hard about closing for the duration but decided to stay open , with limitations and adjustments !

One thing to remember is that it’s pretty likely to be quieter than usual , so if you would like to join us for a bite to eat in a calmer than usual environment , with a stunning view then we could be the place to head for !

Opening hours - 9.30 - 3.30 daily

If you have a hot air balloon or a hand glider , this could be the week to use it!

Wish us luck!
We all appreciate the roads need to be repaired but , at what should be our busiest season and the poor communication from Westmorland and Furness Council , it’s a pain for the whole community and businesses!

16/07/2026

We are OPEN ALL WEEKEND - FRIDAY UNTIL CLOSE OF DAY SUNDAY!

We aren’t taking the impending road closure laying down!

More news of that next week! ( we will still be open then in spite of the Council’s interference!)

For now it’s business as usual !

Please support us this weekend while the road is open !

( we can offer respite on a cold floor for aching backs but you might need to form a queue behind the staff!!!)