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                                                                                          Scafell Pike

 

England is situated in the central and southern part of the island of Great Britain, and has a total area of 130,370 square kilometres.  For further details, see the Wikipedia article at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England.

 

The principal upland areas of England mostly lie on the western side of the country, although the Pennines form a spine of hills on a north-south axis, dividing the north-western area from the north-east. 

 

The Pennines are mainly comprised of coarse sandstones (gritstone) and limestone.  They reach their highest point on Cross Fell (893m) in the North Pennines.

 

In the south-western peninsula of England lie the granite moors of Bodmin Moor and Dartmoor, and Exmoor, which is composed of sedimentary rocks.  These uplands reach their highest point on High Willhays (621m) on Dartmoor.

 

Lying along the border with Wales are the Shropshire Hills, uplands with a complex geological mix of volcanic and sedimentary rocks.  These reach their highest point on Brown Clee Hill (540m).

 

In the far north-western part of the country lies the Lake District peninsula, where are situated England’s most significant mountains (locally known as ‘fells’).   The northern part of the area is composed of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks (mudstones and slates), while to the south are rocks of volcanic origin.  The Lakeland fells reach their highest point on Scafell Pike (978m), the highest point in England.  These fells are the stumps of ancient mountains that rose higher than the Alps when they were formed over 400 mya.

 

Finally, in the far north-east, along the Scottish border, lie the Cheviot Hills, composed of granite.  This upland area reaches it highest point on The Cheviot (815m).

 

There are currently two lists of English hills popular with peak-baggers.  The first is the English Hewitts – hills in the country of at least 2000ft (610m) with at least 30m of drop.  This list can be found online at http://bubl.ac.uk/org/tacit/tables/england/.  Also popular is the list compiled by John and Anne Nuttall (‘The Nuttalls) – hills in England of at least 2000ft (610m) with at least 15m of drop.  This list can be found online at http://www.nuttalls.com/mountains/england.htm.

 

A metric alternative to these lists, comprising all the hills in England of at least 500m in height and 100m drop is offered below.  This list gives a wider choice of upland areas to visit than The Hewitts and The Nuttalls. 

 

 

List uploaded below: