Countrystride #83: Alston & Isaac’s Tea Trail

Countrystride

...in which we stride out from the North Pennine market town of Alston on an amiable wander along the Isaac's Tea Trail footpath. In the company of Tea Trail creator Roger Morris and 'tea lady' blogger Anne Leuchars, we unearth the remarkable rags-to-riches tale of 18th-century tea-seller Isaac Holden, who escaped a childhood of lead mining poverty to become an entrepreneur, fundraiser and pillar of Allendale life. As we dodge blustery showers, we soak in the sights and sounds of a far-from-the-madding-crowd valley, reflect on the early days of the British love affair with tea; visit the remarkable Roman fort at Epiacum; consider the state of our footpaths... and meet a couple walking from John o'Groats to Land's End.

• You can find out more about Isaac's Tea Trail at isaacs-tea-trail.co.uk
• Anne's blog can be found at walkingisaacsteatrail.wordpress.com
• Diane and Ryan can be found vlogging their John o'Groats to Land's End walk at: youtube.com/channel/UCBHugfQhSo0nqKdrD84tEaA