Nenthead (/ˈnɛnthɛd/ NENT-hed) in the county of Cumbria is one of England's highest villages, at around 1,437 feet (438 m). It was not built until the middle of the 18th century and was one of the earliest purpose-built industrial villages in Britain.

Nenthead was a major centre for lead and silver mining in the North Pennines of Britain. The first smelt mill was built at Nenthead in 1737 by George Liddle, and this was subsequently expanded by the London Lead Company. By 1882 the smelt mill was capable of smelting 8,000 bings, i.e., 64,000 long hundredweight (3,300 t), of ore per annum.

Nenthead village in 1861 had 2,000 people, mostly Methodist and employed by the Quaker-owned London Lead Company in the Nenthead Mines - some of the most productive in the country. The Quakers built housing, a school, a reading room, public baths and a wash-house for the miners and their families.

Nenthead has accessible mines remaining, horse whims and a 260 feet (79 m) engine shaft in Rampghill. The mines closed in 1961 and there is a heritage centre displaying their history.

The economy of the village relies on tourism. A long distance cycle route, the C2C, passes through Nenthead. The Grade II listed Wesleyan Methodist chapel has not been used since 2002 but benefitted from a Heritage Lottery Grant of £134,500. The post office and community shop occupies the building which was once a reading room for the miners.

Nenthead is around 4.4 miles (7.1 km) east of Alston, 44.3 miles (71.3 km) west of Newcastle upon Tyne, 34.4 miles (55.4 km) south east of Carlisle, 24 miles (38.6 km) east of Penrith, and 20.5 miles (33.0 km) west of Hexham.

County Council subsidies have maintained limited bus services to Alston and beyond. However, in 2014 cuts to these subsidies were being discussed, threatening the existence of bus services for the village.

Nenthead is in the parliamentary constituency of Penrith and Solway.