Allenheads

About:

Allenheads is a remote and atmospheric village nestled in the heart of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, in the far west of Northumberland. Surrounded by rolling moorland and dramatic hills, it feels like a place untouched by time. Once a thriving centre of lead mining during the 19th century, Allenheads was among the busiest mining villages in the country, with a population far larger than today. The remnants of this industrial past remain scattered across the landscape, giving the village a quietly haunting charm. You can see the restored mine buildings, including a blacksmith’s shop and the old smelt mill site, now part of the Allenheads Heritage Centre, which offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the miners and their families.

The village is also notable for its connection to the Armstrong family—particularly Lord William Armstrong, a Victorian industrialist who invested heavily in the area. He introduced innovations in water supply and electricity long before such utilities were commonplace elsewhere. A hydroelectric scheme powered street lighting in the village as early as the 1880s, making Allenheads one of the first places in the country to be lit by electric light.

Today, Allenheads is a peaceful haven for walkers, cyclists, and artists. Its rugged beauty and isolation attract those seeking solitude or inspiration. There’s a creative energy to the village too—home to Allenheads Contemporary Arts, which hosts exhibitions and residencies that reflect the surrounding landscape. With a welcoming pub, traditional stone cottages and a location on the scenic C2C cycle route, Allenheads balances its gritty industrial past with artistic flair and natural wonder. It’s a place where history, creativity, and wild moorland come together—quiet, often windswept, but full of stories waiting to be uncovered.