Staverton Clump, 05:00 on a Sunday morning in July

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I ticked off Arbury Hill, the high point of Historic Northamptonshire, back in 2013. This was my early days of peak-bagging and I was doing a few drive-bys and quick walks on the way to a work trip in Melton Mowbray. At the time I didn’t stray from public rights-of-way into private land so I got as close to Arbury Hill’s summit as possible on the footpath and considered it ticked.

Several years later my friends and I started our annual County Top long weekends to bag the furthest peaks from home. My “non-completion” of Arbury Hill became a constant source of debate during those weekends. For a while I insisted that I had definitely bagged Arbury due to my non-trespassing policy. I got as close as possible on public routes so I was done. Right?

They weren’t having it and 2 of them had made successful summits of Arbury without difficulties. One had got the land-owner’s permission and the other just went there. By our 2022 Scotland Trip I had decided that I needed to return to Arbury to resolve the dispute. My plan was to turn up, ask the land-owner for permission if I could find them and if not just do it, but be discreet and not disturb anything.

So, in the summer of 2023, as a part of a road trip of Midlands high points I returned to tackle Arbury Hill again. I parked at the same spot on the grass verge on Badby Road and up the closest footpath to the southern edge of Arbury Hill summit. No land-owner in sight and, being early evening on a Saturday, no-one at all.

At ~ 1 km from the start of the footpath on Badby Road there’s a gate across the path then a locked wooden gate on the right hand side that leads up the hill on the eastern edge of a crop field. 300m later, just before the woods, there’s another gate into a field and it’s a short walk from there to the summit. As it turned out it was a simple ascent with 2 easy to hop-over gates from the public footpath. I returned using the same route with a smug sense of being able to resolve a now 10-year debate with my friends.

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Arbury Hill

Significance: Highest peak in Northamptonshire (Historic CT), Unitary Authority High Point for West Northamptonshire
Member of: Hump, Tump
Parent Peak: Cleeve Hill. NHN = Ebrington Hill
Elevation: 224.3m
Date climbed: July 15th 2013
Coordinates: 52°13′27″N 1°12′36″W 
Route Start / End: Grass verge by start of footpath on Badby Road, just off the A361
Route Distance: 3 km (1.9 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 45m
Subsidiary tops on route: None
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched: None
Map: OS Explorer 206: Edge Hill and Fenny Compton
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir), Walking the County High Points of England (David Bathurst)
Links: Wikipedia (Northamptonshire), Wikipedia (West Northamptonshire), Wikipedia (Arbury Hill), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Wikipedia says there’s a Triangulation Station (Trig Pillar) at the summit. This is not correct as the nearer Trig Pillar is on Big Hill - Staverton Clump.

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Big Hill - Staverton Clump

Significance: Alternative Highest peak in Northamptonshire (Historic CT), Alternative Unitary Authority High Point for West Northamptonshire
Member of: Hump, Tump
Parent Peak: Cleeve Hill. NHN = Ebrington Hill
Elevation: 224.3m
Date climbed: July 16th 2013
Coordinates: 52° 14' 47'' N, 1° 11' 49'' W
Route Start / End: Staverton Park Hotel & Golf Club, Daventry Road, NN11 6JT
Route Distance: 2.4 km (1.5 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 48m
Subsidiary tops on route: None
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched: None
OS Trig Pillar: TP6169 - Staverton
Map: OS Explorer 206: Edge Hill and Fenny Compton
Guidebook: N/A
Links: Wikipedia (Northamptonshire), Wikipedia (West Northamptonshire), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Shortly before my first attempt at Arbury Hill in 2013 Big Hill - Staverton Clump was determined to be the twin County Top of Northamptonshire. It’s another one on private land so it didn’t make my to-do list until I made the decision to return to Arbury. Whereas Arbury’s summit is off the public right of way, the whole of this walk is on private land.

I had completed Arbury Hill early evening on a Saturday and checked in to the Staverton Park Hotel opposite the start of the walk up to Staverton Clump. For anyone not staying at the hotel, the best place to park is a layby further to the east along the A425. I set my alarm for 04:30 on the Sunday morning, left the hotel and hopped into the field opposite. The field was fully of grazing cattle so I kept out of sight to the edge of the field heading up to Staverton Clump at the top of the field. If you’re just going for the High Point, it’s only a 0.5km walk from the gate.

Rather than just bag the high point I continued for another ~0.5km to the east to bag the Staverton Trig Pillar. Strange that it’s not on the actual high point. After the Trig I retraced my steps along the edge of the field and into the woods to bag the high point. It’s a fairly flat summit with nothing obvious to mark the high point. Once bagged I followed the edge of the field back down to the road and into the hotel for breakfast.

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Mill Hill

Significance: Unitary Authority High Point for North Northamptonshire
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Cleeve Hill. NHN = Big Hill - Staverton Clump
Elevation: 160m
Date climbed: July 15th 2013
Coordinates: 52° 24' 6'' N, 0° 51' 56'' W
Route Start / End: Space for 1 car by gate to bridleway on small road between Harrington and Harrington Air Base War Memorial (post code = NN14 1LN)
Route Distance: 1.1 km (0.7 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 4m
Subsidiary tops on route: None
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched: None
Map: OS Explorer 206: Edge Hill and Fenny Compton
Guidebook: N/A
Links: Wikipedia (Northamptonshire), Wikipedia (North Northamptonshire), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Mill Hill became a new county high point on April 1st 2021 with the creation of the North Northamptonshire Unitary Authority. It lacks the minor thrills of Arbury and Staverton as it’s a flat, undemanding walk on a public right of way. It’s also a very short walk of a 1.1 km round trip from the layby off the small road between Harrington and Harrington Air Base War Memorial. There’s no obvious high point so I wander around the corner of the track for a bit until I was satisfied that I had bagged it.

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Trig Pillar at the summit of Bow Brickhill

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Significance: Unitary Authority High Point for Milton Keynes
Member of: Tump
Parent Peak: Haddington Hill. NHN = Dunstable Downs
Historic County: Buckinghamshire (of which Haddington Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 171m
Date climbed: July 15th 2013
Coordinates: 52° 0' 4'' N, 0° 40' 5'' W

Route Start / End: Parking on south side of Church Road, just east of All Saints Church, Bow Brickhill, MK17 9LQ
Route Distance: 400m (0.25 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 6m
Subsidiary tops on route: None
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched: None
OS Trig Pillar: TP1543 - Bow Brickhill
Map: Buckingham & Milton Keynes Map | Weatherproof | Leighton Buzzard & Woburn | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Active Map 192
Guidebook: N/A
Links: Wikipedia (Milton Keynes), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Bow Brickhill is the high point of the Unitary Authority of Milton Keynes, within the Ceremonial and Historic Counties of Buckinghamshire. It can be easily accessed via short out-and back walk from the Car Park on Church Road or as a short diversion from the Milton Keynes Boundary Walk. From the parking spot on Church Road, it’s a 400m easy walk through the woods to the Trig Pillar that marks the high point. As Hillbagging points out “LIDAR suggests the summit is 22m NW of the trig at SP 91511 34503” .. however bagging the Trig Pillar was good enough for me.

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Harrold Park Farm Trig Pillar, north of the high point along the Three Shires Way

Significance:  Unitary Authority High Point for Bedford Borough
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Cleeve Hill. NHN = Bow Brickhill
Historic County: Bedfordshire (of which Dunstable Downs is the County Top)
Elevation: 107m
Date climbed: July 15th 2013
Coordinates: 52° 12' 4'' N, 0° 39' 59'' W

Route Start / End: Free on-street parking in or near Church Lane, Bozeat, NN29 7NJ
Route Distance: 6.5 km (4.0 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 39m
Subsidiary tops on route: None
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Three Shires Way
OS Trig Pillar: TP3642 - Harrold Park Farm
Map: Newport Pagnell & Northampton South Map | Towcester & Olney | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 207
Guidebook: N/A
Links: Wikipedia (Bedford Borough), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

The Slipe is the high point of the Unitary Authority of Bedford Borough, within the Ceremonial and Historic Counties of Bedfordshire.

After a few quick drive-by high-points I was happy to get out of the car for a short walk to the Bedford Borough top. Bozeat is a quiet village with a lot of free on-street parking near the start and end of this route. From Fir Tree Grove follow the footpath for a little over 2km until you reach the junction with the Three Shires Way. The Three Shires Path also runs along the North Northamptonshire / Bedfordshire border at this point. The county tri-point with Milton Keynes is to the south in The Oaks Wood.

The patch of woodland to the east of the Three Shires Way is called the Slipe and the high point is just inside the woods at the northern end. You’ll need to cross over a ditch to get into the woods and there’s nothing to mark the high-point. From the high point you could return to Bozeat the way you came or, as I did, make it a more interesting circular walk to visit the Harrold Park Farm Trig Pillar a further 2.4km along the Three Shires Way. From the Trig Pillar return to Bozeat by taking the westerly heading footpath through the field.

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Significance: Highest point of the Unitary Authority of Leicester City
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Cleve Hill, NHN = Beacon Hill Leicestershire
Historic County: Leicestershire (of which Bardon Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 110m
Date “climbed”: July 15th 2023
Coordinates: 52° 39' 8'' N, 1° 2' 54'' W
Map: Leicester & Hinckley Map | The National Forest | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 233
Links: Wikipedia (Leicester City), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Nether Hall is the high point of the Unitary Authority of Leicester City, within the Ceremonial and Historic Counties of Leicestershire. From the map, while planning the trip, I was expecting a fairly urban area but it turned out to be a pleasant suburb.

This is a quick drive-by with free on-street parking at the eastern end of Keyham Lane West near the junction with Hamilton Lane. The high point is on the eastern side of Hamilton Lane at the entrance to a footpath to the golf course.

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Significance: Highest point in the Soke of Peterborough Administrative County, the defunct county of Huntingdon and Peterborough and the present-day Unitary Authority of Peterborough
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Cleve Hill, NHN = Cold Overton Park
Historic County: Northamptonshire (of which Arbury Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 81m
Date “climbed”: July 15th 2023
Coordinates: 52° 37' 31'' N, 0° 28' 19'' W
Map: Rutland Water Map | Stamford & Oakham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 234
Links: Wikipedia (Soke of Peterborough, Huntingdon and Peterborough, Peterborough Unitary Authority), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

The Soke of Peterborough is an Administrative County that came into existence as a result of The Local Government Act 1888. It was formerly part of the Historic County of Northamptonshire and, for a brief period between 1965 and 1974, the high point of the county of Huntingdon and Peterborough. It is now a part of the Ceremonial County of Cambridgeshire, although only just inside the border with the Northamptonshire, and is the high point of Peterborough Unitary Authority.

You won’t need crampons or extra oxygen to conquer this one. It’s a simple drive by, exiting the A1 near Burghley Park and finding a parking space on the curve of Racecourse Road.

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Significance: Highest point of the Administrative County of the Isle of Ely
Member of: Tump
Parent Peak: Cleve Hill, NHN = Great Chishill
Historic County: Essex (of which Chrishall Common is the County Top)
Elevation: 39m
Date “climbed”: July 15th 2023
Coordinates: 52° 21' 20'' N, 0° 9' 11'' E
Map: Ely & Newmarket Map | Mildenhall & Soham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 226
Links: Wikpedia (Isle of Ely), Haddenham, Peakbagger, Hillbagging

The Isle of Ely is an Administrative County that came into existence as a result of The Local Government Act 1888. It was formerly part of the Historic County of Cambridgeshire and is now a part of the Ceremonial County of Cambridgeshire.

This is a quick drive-by where you can park on The Rampart (road) and find the high point on top of the mound at the edge of the recreation field. As noted in Hillbagger: “ground mid way between the mound and the water tower is higher than the base of the mound but inaccessible. North Hill at TL 44498 76183 is also higher than the mound base but lower than the inaccessible ground”

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Significance: Highest "peak" in Middlesex (Traditional CT), High Point of London Borough of Harrow
Member of: London Borough High Points
Parent Peak: Haddington Hill. NHN = Pavis Wood
Elevation (Bushey Heath): 155m, (Bushey Heath-Boundary): 153m
Date “climbed”: 13th May 2013 and 21st January 2023
Coordinates (Bushey Heath): 51° 37' 56'' N, 0° 20' 18'' W
Coordinates (Bushey Heath-Boundary): 51° 37' 52'' N, 0° 20' 10'' W
Nearest Station: Bushey (Overground, West Midland Trains): 4 km
On route of: On route of: N/A. The London Loop is 0.7 km to the south-east
Map: OS Explorer 173 London North and OS Explorer 172 Chiltern Hills East
Guidebooks: The UK's County Tops, Jonny Muir, Walking the County High Points of England, David Bathurst
Links:
- Wikipedia: Middlesex, Harrow, Bushey
- Peakbagger: Bushey Heath, Bushey Heath Boundary
- Hillbagger: Bushey Heath, Bushey Heath Boundary

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My first visit to the Bushey Heath high point was in May 2013 in the early days of my County Top adventures. Knowing that this would be a boring destination I made a more interesting trip of it by cycling there along the Ebury Way from Rickmansworth. I found the point noted in Jonny Muir’s book, took a photo and considered it “bagged”. Or so I thought …

As it turned out, to fully tick the box of visiting the high point of both the Historic County of Middlesex and the London Borough of Harrow you need to also go a bit further to the North-West. The historic boundary of Hertfordshire and Middlesex is marked by a boundary stone on the A4140 opposite the Windmill Harvester. In 1965 this became the boundary of Hertfordshire and Harrow. In 1993 the Herts/Harrow boundary was moved to its current position running along Common Road / Magpie Hall Road.

So, nearly 10 years after my original visit to Bushey Heath, I returned to visit the old boundary stone to properly bag the high point.

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Greater London Borough High Points formerly within Middlesex

• Westerham Heights (245m) Bromley Borough High Point

• Bushey Heath-Boundary (153m) Harrow Borough High Point

• Highwood Hill (146m) Barnet Borough High Point

• Hampstead Heath (134m) Camden Borough High Point

• Potter Street Hill (134m) Hillingdon Borough High Point

• Highgate (129m) Haringey Borough High Point

• Bournwell Hill-West Slope (119m) Enfield Borough High Point

• Highgate Hill (100m) Islington Borough High Point

• Wakemans Hill Avenue (92m) Brent Borough High Point

• Sudbury Hill (91m) Brent (alternative) Borough High Point

• Horsenden Hill (85m) Ealing Borough High Point

• Saint John's Wood Park (52m) City of Westminster Borough High Point

• College Park (45m) Hammersmith and Fulham Borough High Point

• Harrow Road (45m) Kensington and Chelsea Borough High Point

• Seven Sisters Road (39m) Hackney Borough High Point

• Heston The Vale (35m) Hounslow Borough High Point

• High Holborn (22m) City of London High Point

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At the top of the White Horse

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Significance: Highest peak in the present-day county of Oxfordshire
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Walbury Hill, NHN = Liddington Hill
Historic County: Berkshire (of which Walbury Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 261m
Date “climbed”: January 8th 2023
Coordinates: 51° 34' 31'' N, 1° 34' 0'' W
Map: Vale of White Horse Map | Abingdon-on-Thames, Wantage, Wallingford & Faringdon | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 170
Links: Wikipedia (Oxfordshire), Peakbagger, Hillbagger

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Whitehorse Hill, also referred to as White Horse Hill is the highest point in the Present-Day or Ceremonial County of Oxfordshire. It’s not the Historic County Top though as that’s Bald Hill near Christmas Common in the Chilterns. Whitehorse Hill was originally in the Historic County of Berkshire before the boundary changes that formed the Ceremonial Counties. Compared with Bald Hill which has nothing to mark the summit, Whitehorse is a much more satisfying walk.

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National Trust Short Walk

Start & Finish: National Trust White Horse Hill Car Park, Faringdon, SN7 (Free to National Trust members)
Distance: 2.5 km (1.6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 50m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): White Horse Hill Circular
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
Map: Vale of White Horse Map | Abingdon-on-Thames, Wantage, Wallingford & Faringdon | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 170
Links: Uffington Castle, White Horse and Dragon Hill (English Heritage), White Horse Hill (National Trust), White Horse Hill Circular Walk

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We had originally planned to walk the 7 km White Horse Hill Circular Walk. We were there on a very rainy January day and managed to get to the car park in a short break in the rain and decided for a shorter walk instead. From the main National Trust car park you can either do a 2 km out and back to the Trig Pillar or add an extra 0.5 km to take a circuit of Uffington Castle and see the top of the White Horse.

Despite the wintery conditions we got a great view over the Berkshire Downs. We’ll likely return in better weather to do the longer walk and check out Drago Hill too.

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OTHER HIGH POINT IN OXFORDSHIRE

• Bald Hill (257m) Oxfordshire Historic County High Point: Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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If bagging all of the UK Historic and Present-Day County tops plus the Unitary Authorities isn’t enough for you, there’s also the high points of the National Parks, National Landscapes (AONBs) and National Scenic Areas (NSAs).

Contact me if you spot any mistakes and I’ll donate £1 to one of my supported causes for each correction made.

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UK National Parks High Points

Of the 15 UK National Parks 10 have a high point that is also an Historic County Top. One other, Whernside is the high point of the Ceremonial County of North Yorkshire and was the high point of the Administrative County of the West Riding of Yorkshire. The highest National Park Peak that’s not also a County Top is Ben More (not to be confused with Ben More Assynt) in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

UK National Parks

1. Cairngorms National Park (Scotland): Ben Macdui (1,309 metres).

2. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park (Scotland): Ben More (1,174 metres).

3. Snowdonia National Park (Wales): Snowdon / Yr Wyddfa (1085 metres).

4. Lake District National Park (England): Scafell Pike (978 metres).

5. Brecon Beacons National Park (Wales): Pen y Fan (886 metres).

6. Northumberland National Park (England): The Cheviot (815 metres).

7. Yorkshire Dales National Park (England): Whernside (736 metres).

8. Peak District National Park (England): Kinder Scout (636 metres).

9. Dartmoor National Park (England): High Willhays (621 metres).

10. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (Wales): Foel Cwmcerwyn (536 metres).

11. Exmoor National Park (England): Dunkery Beacon (519 metres).

12. North York Moors National Park (England): Urra Moor - Round Hill (454 metres).

13. South Downs National Park (England): Black Down (280 metres).

14. New Forest National Park (England): Pipers Wait (129 metres) or Telegraph Hill (127 metres).

15. The Broads National Park (England): Strumpshaw Hill - South Slope (40 metres).

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England, Wales and Northern Ireland National Landscapes High Points

National Parks and National Landscapes are both protected areas in the United Kingdom, but they have different designations and management structures. National Parks are designated by the UK government for their outstanding natural beauty, cultural heritage and recreational opportunities. They are managed by National Park Authorities and have specific planning policies to protect their landscapes and wildlife. On the other hand, National Landscapes are also designated by the government for their outstanding natural beauty but are managed by local authorities and partnerships. They have different planning policies compared to National Parks. National Parks tend to be more remote and wilder, while National Landscapes are often found close to populated areas and include cultural heritage and agricultural landscapes. Both National Parks and National Landscapes are intended to be enjoyed and appreciated by the public but the management, planning policies, and protection of the areas can differ.

National Landscapes were previously called Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) until On 22 November 2023.

There are 46 National Landscapes in the UK of which 16 are the county tops of the Historic Counties that they are in. St Boniface Down is the high point of both the Ceremonial County of the Isle of Wight and the Isle of Wight National Landscape.

There were 2 National Landscapes that I couldn’t find a high point for when researching this: Suffolk Coast and Heaths National Landscape and Lagan Valley National Landscape (Northern Ireland). Let me know if you know what these high points are and I can update the list.

• North Pennines National Landscape (England). Cross Fell (893m).

• Mourne Mountains National Landscape (Northern Ireland). Slieve Donard (850m).

• Nidderdale National Landscape (England). Great Whernside (704m).

• Sperrins National Landscape (Northern Ireland). Sawel Mountain (678m).

• Ring of Gullion National Landscape (Northern Ireland). Slieve Gullion (576m).

• Forest of Bowland National Landscape (England). Ward's Stone (561m).

• Llŷn Peninsula National Landscape (Wales). Yr Eifl (561m).

• Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape (Wales). Moel Famau (555m).

• Antrim Coast and Glens National Landscape (Northern Ireland). Trostan (550m).

• Shropshire Hills National Landscape (England). Brown Clee Hill (540m).

• Malvern Hills National Landscape (England). Worcestershire Beacon (425m).

• Cornwall National Landscape (England). Brown Willy (420m).

• Binevenagh National Landscape (Northern Ireland). Binevenagh (385m).

• Tamar Valley National Landscape (England). Kit Hill (334m).

• Cotswolds National Landscape (England). Cleeve Common (330m).

• Mendip Hills National Landscape (England). Beacon Batch (325m).

• Blackdown Hills National Landscape (England). Staple Hill (315m).

• Wye Valley National Landscape (England / Wales). Trellech Beacon (313m).

• North Wessex Downs National Landscape (England). Walbury Hill (297m).

• Surrey Hills National Landscape (England). Leith Hill (294m).

• Dorset National Landscape (England). Lewesdon Hill (279m).

• Cranborne Chase and the West Wiltshire Downs National Landscape (England). Win Green (277m).

• North Devon Coast National Landscape (England). Berry Down near Combe Martin (269m).

• Chiltern Hills National Landscape (England). Haddington Hill (267m).

• Somerset - Quantock Hills National Landscape (England). Wills Neck (263m).

• East Devon National Landscape (England). Gittisham Hill (259m).

• Kent Downs National Landscape (England). Toy's Hill (257m).

• Cannock Chase ANational Landscape NB (England). Castle Ring (242m).

• High Weald National Landscape (England). Crowborough Beacon (242m).

• Isle of Wight National Landscape (England). St Boniface Down (241m).

• Anglesey National Landscape (Wales). Holyhead Mountain (220m).

• South Devon National Landscape (England). Blackdown Camp (199m).

• Gower Peninsula National Landscape (Wales). The Beacon at Rhossili Down (193m).

• Howardian Hills National Landscape (England). Yearsley Cross (174m).

• Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape (England). Wolds Top / Normanby Hill (168m).

• Arnside and Silverdale National Landscape (England). Warton Crag (163m).

• Strangford and Lecale National Landscape (Northern Ireland). Scrabo Hill (161m).

• Causeway Coast National Landscape (Northern Ireland). Carnduff Hill (114m).

• Norfolk Coast National Landscape (England). Beacon Hill (105m).

• Northumberland Coast National Landscape (England). South Hill (75m).

• Dedham Vale National Landscape (England). Broom Hill (69m).

• Solway Coast National Landscape (England). Pudding Pie Hill (56m).

• Isles of Scilly National Landscape (England). Telegraph on St Mary’s (49m).

• Chichester Harbour National Landscape (England). c. two locations with 9m spot height (9m).

To be verified … couldn’t find these originally but have been identified by Joel Adcock.

• Suffolk Coast and Heaths National Landscape (England): Holbrook Park, (~44m)

• Lagan Valley National Landscape (Northern Ireland). In garden of private property on Tullyard Rd, Lisburn BT27 5JN (164m)

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Scottish NSA High Points

National Landscapes and National Scenic Areas (NSA) are both designations used in the United Kingdom to protect and promote areas of exceptional natural beauty. However, there are some key differences between the two. National Landscapes are designated by the UK government and are considered to be the most important landscapes in the country, with the highest level of protection afforded to them. NSAs, on the other hand, are designated by the Scottish government and, while they also offer protection to areas of exceptional natural beauty, they do not have the same level of legal protection as National Landscapes. Additionally, National Landscapes are managed by local authorities, while NSAs are managed by Scottish National Parks. Both National Landscapes and NSAs are intended to be enjoyed and appreciated by the public, but the management and protection of the areas can differ.

There are 40 National Scenic Areas (NSA) in Scotland, of which 8 are the county tops of the Historic Counties that they are in. There were 12 NSAs that I couldn’t find a high point for when researching this (scroll down to see). These are mostly in coastal areas without notable high points. Let me know if you know what these high points are and I can update the list.

• Ben Nevis and Glen Coe NSA: Ben Nevis (1344m).

• Cairngorm Mountains NSA: Ben Macdui (1309m).

• Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon NSA: Ben Lawers (1214m).

• Glen Affric NSA: Càrn Eige (1183m).

• Deeside and Lochnagar NSA: Lochnagar / Beinn Chìochan (1156m).

• Glen Strathfarrar NSA: Sgùrr a' Choire Ghlais (1083m).

• Kintail NSA: Sgurr Fhuaran (1068m).

• Wester Ross NSA: An Teallach (1062m).

• Knoydart NSA: Sgurr na Cìche (1040m).

• Assynt-Coigach NSA: Ben More Assynt (998m).

• Loch Lomond NSA: Ben Lomond (974m).

• Cuillin Hills NSA: Sgùrr nan Gillean (964m).

• North West Sutherland NSA: Foinaven (909m).

• Loch Shiel NSA: Beinn Odhar Bheag (882m).

• The Trossachs NSA: Ben Ledi (879m).

• North Arran NSA: Goat Fell (873.5m).

• Upper Tweeddale NSA: Broad Law (840m).

• Small Isles NSA: Askival (812m).

• South Lewis, Harris and North Uist NSA: Clisham (799m).

• Jura NSA: Beinn an Òir (785m).

• Trotternish NSA: The Storr (719m).

• South Uist Machair NSA: Beinn Mhòr (620m).

• Hoy and West Mainland NSA: Ward Hill (481m).

• Knapdale NSA: Cruach Lusach (466m).

• Scarba, Lunga and the Garvellachs NSA: Scarba (449m).

• St Kilda NSA: Conachair (430m).

• Eildon and Leaderfoot NSA: Eildon Hill (422m).

• Lynn of Lorn NSA: Barr Mòr (127m).

To be verified … couldn’t find these originally but have been identified by Joel Adcock.

• Dornoch Firth NSA: unnamed summit (387m)

• East Stewartry Coast NSA: Bengairn (391m).

• Fleet Valley NSA: Ben John (354m)

• Kyle of Tongue NSA: Ben Hope (927m)

• Kyles of Bute NSA: Meallan Riabhach (484m).

• Loch na Keal, Isle of Mull NSA: Ben More (967m)

• Loch Tummel NSA: Meall Tairneachan (787m)

• Morar, Moidart and Ardnamurchan NSA: Meall nan Each (490m)

• Nith Estuary NSA: Criffel (569m).

• River Earn (Comrie to St. Fillans) NSA: Either slope of Beinn Fuath (~650 metres) or Mor Beinn (640m)

• River Tay (Dunkeld) NSA: Creag Dhubh (498m)

• Shetland NSA: The Sneug (418m)

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More High Points

UK County Tops

English County Tops

Scottish County Tops

Welsh County Tops

Northern Ireland County Tops

Through fields to Lilley

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Start: The Chequers pub, 171 Sharpenhoe Road, Streatley, Luton, LU3 3PS
Finish: The Bright Star Pub, Kimpton Road, Peter's Green, Luton, LU2 9QP
Distance: 20.8 km (12.9 Miles)
Elevation change: +223m / -227m. Net -4m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (walk): Chiltern Way, Iknield Way, John Bunyan Trail
Other Routes Touched (cycle): Chilterns Cycleway, Icknield Way Trail
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Chequers at the start and The Bright Star at the end plus The Lilley Arms (just off route at 8.7 km in) and The King William (13.3 km in)
Maps:
- Luton & Stevenage Map | Hitchin & Ampthill | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 193
- St Albans & Hatfield Map | Hemel Hempstead & Welwyn Garden City | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 182
OS Trig Pillar: TP6734 - Warden Hill
Links: Chiltern Way (Chiltern Society), Streatley, Luton, Lilley

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This is the fourth of a series of point to point walks on the Chiltern Way. The full trail is a 134 mile (215 km) long distance path around the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). My friend Brian and I have been doing a section a year on or around the Winter Solstice since 2019. At the current rate we plan to be finished in December 2027. The Chiltern Way is well sign-posted however you should take a map or GPX route to keep on track and be prepared for all weathers. This post isn’t intended as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide.

It had been 2 years since Brian and I had been on the Chiltern Way. An operation had put him out of action last winter so we skipped a year. Our Summer Solstice way on the River Ver Trail was a good test that his body was functioning again and were back on the trail. We finished Part 2 at Chalk Hill on the A5 but had already covered the next section to Streatley a couple of years previously on the Icknield Way. Rather than cover those 17 km again we picked up the trail at the Chequers pub in Streatley.

From Streatley the Chiltern Way splits off from the Icknield Way for 3 km, reconnecting with it on the ascent up to Warden Hill. After 4.5 km you’ll be at the highest point on this section where you can hop over the fence to bag the Warden Hill Trig Pillar. This is also a great spot to get a panorama of Luton town and the rest of the Chilterns the other side of the gap.

Despite being the highest point on this section, Warden Hill isn’t the highest point in Luton as it’s just outside of the town boundary. You’ll reach the Luton High Point a further 2.5 km from the Trig Pillar at the entrance to Whitehill Farm at the end of Butterfield Green Road. There’s nothing of interest here and I forgot to take a photo to mark the spot, but you can get a good view of it on Google Street View.

From Whitehill the route descends to Lilley where you’ll find the first pub on this section after Streatley. We were looking forward to a morning coffee but had arrived an hour too early and it wasn’t open yet. Instead we pushed on a further 4.5 km to Mangrove to visit the King William pub but also found it to be closed. Getting to pubs at the wrong time was becoming a theme for our Winter Solstice walks. By starting so early in the day we were covering a lot of ground before pubs opened. For this trip there were no more pubs or cafes between Mangrove and the finish point so broke into our emergency rations and carried on.

The final part of this section is a curve around Luton airport. It’s a pleasant section through farms and woodland with the occasional jet descending overhead and a a whiff of kerosene.

This was a much easier section than I expected. The forecast was for heavy rain and I was preparing for the sticky mud that we had experienced on previous sections. As it turned it it was a bright, dry day will little mud. This brought us to the end point at lunch time rather than sunset giving us a shorter than expected Solstice walk. We weren’t complaining though as our main thought was lunch at the Bright Star pub. The good news was that it was open. The bad news was that it wasn’t serving food. We returned by car to the Chequers at Streatley, our lunch stop on the Icknield Way for a big plate of fish and chips.

Don’t get put off by this section when you look at it on a map. By being so close to Luton town and the airport you could mistake it for being a less pleasant part of the Chiltern Way. The reality is that the trail keeps to the hills and farms outside of the town.

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Whitehill-Butterfield Green

Significance: Highest point in the Unitary Authority of Luton
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Wendover Woods (Haddington Hill), NHN = Dunstable Downs
Historic County: Bedfordshire (of which Dunstable Downs is the County Top)
Elevation: 178m
Date “climbed”: 20th December 2022
Coordinates: 51° 54' 53'' N, 0° 23' 40'' W
Map: Luton & Stevenage Map | Hitchin & Ampthill | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 193
Links: Wikipedia (Luton), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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Previous section: Walking The Chiltern Way Part 3: Chalk Hill to Streatley
Next section: Walking The Chiltern Way Part 5: Peter’s Green to Shubhill Common

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In The Hurtwood between Checkpoints 2 and 3

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When: December 4th 2022
Start and Finish: Dorking Sports Centre, Reigate Road, Dorking, RH4 1SN
Distance: 50 km (31 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 1,084m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Leith Hill Greenway
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 22, Surrey Cycleway
OS Trig Pillar:
- TP6411 - The Nower (2 km from start)
- TP2379 - Coneyhurst Hill (19 km from start)
Maps:
- Dorking, Box Hill & Reigate Map | Leatherhead & Caterham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 146
- Guildford & Farnham Map | Godalming & Farnborough | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 145
Finish time: 7 hours 13 minutes
Links:
- Dorking, Milton Heath and The Nower, Wescott, The Hurtwood, Holmbury Camp, Holmbury St Mary, Winterfold Forest
- Leith Hill: Wikipedia, Peakbagger, Hillbagging, National Trust

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My 10th Ultra was on familiar ground. Timea and I had been walking the Greensand Way in the Surrey Hills in small sections this year. As the Autumn finished we made it as far as Dorking and decided to pause until the Spring. I had signed up the the Hurtwood 50k in the Summer but hadn’t realised that the start and finish would be in the exact place as we finished our walks.

The course starts at Dorking Sports Centre and follows the high street for ~1km before reaching the Greensand Way. From here it follows the Greensand Way for 20km then takes an 8km circle around Winterfold Woods. After the circle the route retraces the Greensand Way back to Dorking. Along the way there’s >1000m metres of elevation, Leith Hill (Surrey’s County Top), Holmbury Hill, Pitch Hill, the Nower and 2 OS Trig Pillars. It felt like a Greatest Hits of the Surrey Hills walks that we had done over the Summer.

It was also the first winter Ultra that I attempted since my DNF on the Thames Path back in 2016. Wind and mud meant a very slow pace on that one and I had to pull out half way. That was a flat course too and I wasn’t confident in the weather or ground conditions for the Hurtwood after a wet autumn. As it turned out the ground was mostly dry, the air was nice and chilly and there was very little wind. These were perfect Ultra conditions for me.

This was my first out-and-back Ultra route. I wasn’t too excited about that as I normally prefer point-to-points. However, I found it to be a huge motivational advantage on the return stretch. It was still a long way but just seemed much easier as I was heading home. I found that I could run for longer stretches later in the race and the hills didn’t seem so tough. On the long descent from the summit of Leith Hill there was a moment when I thought I might beat my 50K PB of 6 hours 59 minutes.

The PB didn’t happen but I wasn’t bothered. I had forgotten about the return to The Nower, a steep hill on the approach to Dorking. In the end I finished in 7 hours 13 minutes, not far off my PB and not bad at all considering the more the double elevation of previous 50ks.

I’ll be doing some more distance events at this time of year. My mood dips from mid-November to mid-December due to a combination of a busy time at work and winter gloom. The focus on rest and nutrition leading up to this event kept me on track and the win of completing a very hilly winter Ultra will see me through till Christmas.

Thanks to Freedom Racing for hosting a well-managed, very rewarding event.

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Circular walks on this section of the Greensand Way:

• Walking The Greensand Way Part 8 - Winterfold Wood and Reynards Hill

• Walking The Greensand Way Part 9 - Pitch Hill and Holmbury Hill

• Walking The Greensand Way Part 10 - Leith Hill and Broadmoor

• Walking The Greensand Way Part 11 - Westcott and Bury Hill

• Walking The Greensand Way Part 12 - The Nower and Dorking

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Ascent of Innerdouny Hill

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Our UK County Top bagging trips have now got into a rhythm of an annual long weekend at the end of September. Our group has also grown to 6, although there’s always the inevitable last minute cancellation due to house move / new job / failing body / [*insert excuse here]. For our second Scottish adventure we tackled the “Edinburgh Crescent”, a collection of 6 high points covering 7 historic counties, all within an hour of Edinburgh airport.

We also managed to bag a couple of “bonus peaks”, Allermuir HIll and Arthur’s Seat over the weekend. See this post for details on these.

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West Lomond

Significance: Highest peak in Fife (Historic CT)
Member of: Marilyn
Parent Peak: Ben Cleuch NHN = Innerdownie
Elevation: 522m
Date climbed: 23rd September 2022
Coordinates: 56° 14' 43'' N, 3° 17' 49'' W
Route Start / End: Bunnet Stane Car Park, Cupar, KY14 7RR
Route Distance: 4.5 km (2.8 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 365m
Subsidiary tops on route: None
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 1 / EV12 passes Bunnet Stane Car Park
OS Trig Pillar: TP0674 - West Lomond
Map: Glenrothes North, Falkland & Lomond Hills Map | Auchtermuchty & Cupar | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 370
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir)
Links: Wikipedia (West Lomond), Wikipedia (Fife), Bunnet Stane, Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Having landed in Edinburgh Airport mid-morning on the Friday, we picked up a rental car for the 40 minute drive to West Lomond. This is the most north-easterly of this trip’s peaks and a nice warm-up for the longer treks to follow. We met with Joel, who drove from Northern Ireland, at Bunnet Stane Car Park. Don’t let the “car park” label fool you though, it’s just a layby for about 4 cars with a parking sign on it.

The walk to the summit is fairly straightforward, initially flat before getting steeper after Bunnet Stane. This is a rock formation with a man-made cave at the bottom and a information sign describing the history and myth around it. It’s worth stopping here to check it out before the ascent to the summit.

There’s several footpaths to the Trig Pillar at summit but we chose the most well-trodden. For the descent I originally planned to return on the same route but decided at the top to mix it up a bit and make it a circle. This didn’t work out too well as the path I chose to follow was cut of by a fence ahead of a steep drop. We took a alternative, slightly less steep, route down to meet the path we came up on. In hindsight we would have been better off sticking to the out-and-back.

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Innerdouny Hill

Significance: Highest peak in Kinross-shire (Historic CT)
Member of: Marilyn
Parent Peak: Ben Cleuch NHN = Innerdownie
Elevation: 497m
Date climbed: 23rd September 2022
Coordinates: 56° 14' 55'' N, 3° 33' 48'' W
Route Start / End: Forestry Commission Car Park at Littlerig on B934
Route Distance: 9.2 km (5.7 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 220m
Subsidiary tops on route: None
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): None
OS Trig Pillar: TP4108 - Innerdouny Hill
Map: Perth & Kinross Map | Ochil Hills East & Loch Leven | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Active Map 369
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir)
Links: Wikipedia (Innerdouny Hill), Wikipedia (Kinross-shire), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

After West Lomond it’s a half an hour drive to the Littlerig Forestry Commission car park at the start of the walk to Innerdouny Hill. The car park didn’t come up on our sat-nav so we just headed north along the B934 looking out for it on the right. In the end it was easy to find and enough parking for several cars. Given the relative obscurity of the peak, it’s unlikely that you’ll be fighting for a parking spot here.

This is a longer walk than West Lomond but much less elevation. The first 3.9 km follows a wide Forestry Commission track before taking a right turn up a narrow path to the summit. We were there on a very clear day and got great views over the Firth of Forth and some of the other peaks of our trip.

As with West Lomond an out-and-back would have been the best plan. Instead we followed a clearing between a wooded area and a wall to try a more direct route down to the start of the track. It definitely made a more interesting route but in reality didn’t save much time or distance vs. retracing our steps from the summit.

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Ben Cleuch

Significance: Highest peak in Clackmannanshire (Historic CT)
Member of: Marilyn, Donald, Graham
Parent Peak: Ben Chonzie NHN = Carn Chois
Elevation: 721m
Date climbed: 24th September 2022
Coordinates: 56° 11' 8'' N, 3° 46' 10'' W
Route Start / End: Free on-street parking at Upper Mill Street, Tillicoultry, FK13 6AX
Route Distance: 7.9 km (4.9 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 650m
Subsidiary tops on route: The Law (638m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): None
OS Trig Pillar: TP0672 - Ben Cleugh
Map: Stirling & Ochil Hills West Map | Alloa & Dunblane | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 366
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir)
Links: Wikipedia (Ben Cleuch), Wikipedia (Clackmannanshire), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Day 2 started with the University of Stirling parkrun, right next to the hotel where we were staying. Stirling is a good option for an overnight stay on the trip and our hotel, part of the University campus, worked out well.

From Stirling it was less than a 30 minute drive to the start of the walk to Ben Cleuch. This was a shorter distance than the previous 2 walks but much higher elevation. Navigation is straightforward as there’s a very well-trodden path to the summit.

Learning from Day 1 we stuck to the out-and-back plan and didn’t attempt a creative alternative route back to the car. The Woolpack Inn, close to the start point, is a good place for a pint and a rest before heading to the Lothians.

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Cairnpapple Hill

Significance: Highest peak in West Lothian (Historic CT)
Member of: Marilyn
Parent Peak: West Cairn Hill NHN = West Cairn HIll
Elevation: 312m
Date climbed: 24th September 2022
Coordinates: 55° 55' 22'' N, 3° 37' 18'' W
Route Start / End: Cairnpapple Hill parking, 2km from Torphichen, Bathgate, EH48 4LD
Route Distance: 650 km (0.4 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 14m
Subsidiary tops on route: None
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Map: Falkirk, Cumbernauld & Livingston Map | Linlithgow, Bathgate & Kilsyth | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 349
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir)
Links: Wikipedia (Cairnpapple Hill), Wikipedia (West Lothian), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Our original plan for Cairnpapple was to follow the short circular route in Jonny Muir’s guidebook. We parked at the small Cairnpapple parking area and took the well-marked south-westerly path to the burial mound. Cairnpapple is commonly regarded as the highest point in West Lothian although the Ballencreif Hill Trig Pillar to the south is higher. Jonny Muir’s guide has the walk continuing in a straight line south from the burial ground to the Trig. Some boundary work must have been done in the meantime as we found a new fence in the way and no obvious means to walk straight to the Trig. Note that Historic Scotland charges an entry fee to the burial ground, although it’s easy to avoid it as the ticket office is not on the gate.

Separate walk to The Knook and the Trig Pillar:

Route Start / End: Top Point Parking, Unnamed Road (south of Cairnpapple Hill), Bathgate, EH48
Route Distance: 1.1 km (0.7 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 16m
OS Trig Pillar: TP0991 - Ballencrieff Hill
Links: Peakbagger (Knock)

To access the Trig Pillar we returned to the car and drove south down the minor road to a layby near the gate to the field containing the Trig Pillar. Alternative parking can be found on the south side of Knock Hill, another contender for West Lothian’s high point. After climbing to the toposcope on Knock Hill we cross the field to bag the Trig Pillar.

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Blackhope Scar

Significance: Highest peak in Midlothian (Historic CT)
Member of: Marilyn, Donald, Graham
Parent Peak: Windlestraw Law NHN = Windlestraw Law
Elevation: 651m
Date climbed: 25th September 2022
Coordinates: 55° 43' 25'' N, 3° 5' 31'' W
Route Start / End: Small parking area on southern end of Gladhouse Reservoir
Route Distance: 17.7 km (11 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 518m
Subsidiary tops on route: The Kips (542m), Bowbeat Hill (636m), Bowbeat Rig (585), Dundreich (623m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): None
OS Trig Pillar: TP1448 - Blackhope Scar and
Map: TP1448 - Blackhope Scar and TP2914 - Dundreich
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir)
Links: Wikipedia (Blackhope Scar), Wikipedia (Midlothian), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Blackhope Scar was the longest and most interesting of the weekend’s peaks. The small parking area on the southern edge of Gladhouse Reservoir is the best, and realistically only, place to start the walk. The first 2 km is fairly flat as the route follows the private road through a farm and up to the ruins of Hirendean Castle. After the ruins the route ascends in a south-westerly direction to the summit. I had read that the route is very boggy and was preparing for a Meikle Fell style swamp. As we were there following a particularly dry summer the ground was solid and much easier than expected.

Jonny Muir’s guidebook shows the route as an out-and-back to the summit but there’s a more interesting circular route. See this post on Walk Highlights and this video on YouTube for good detailed descriptions on the full circular. As well as being more interesting as a circular, you’ll bag an extra Trig Pillar and a couple of extra summits.

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Meikle Says Law

Significance: Highest peak in East Lothian (Historic CT)
Member of: Marilyn
Parent Peak: Windlestraw Law NHN = Windlestraw Law
Elevation: 535m
Coordinates: 55° 50' 49'' N, 2° 40' 13'' W
OS Trig Pillar: TP0685 - Sayers Law
Links: Wikipedia (Lammermuir Hills), Wikipedia (East Lothian), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Meikle Says Law - Southeast Slope

Significance: Highest peak in Berwickshire (Historic CT)
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Meikle Says Law NHN = Meikle Says Law
Elevation: 535m
Coordinates: 55° 50' 45'' N, 2° 40' 15'' W
Links: Wikipedia (Berwickshire), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

For both peaks:

Date climbed: 26th September 2022
Route Start / End: Layby opposite to gated entrance to Faseny on Gifford-Longformacus Road
Route Distance: 10.7 km (6.6 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 251m
Subsidiary tops on route: None
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Map: Lammermuir Hills Map | Dalkeith, Bonnyrigg & Gifford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 345
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir)

For our final walk of the weekend we headed to the eastern end of the Lothians for Meikle Says Law. As with Blackhope Scar this involves a short section from the parking area followed by a circular route. We took an anti-clockwise direction on the circular section following a track running parallel to Faseny Water. There’s a few places where the stream crosses the track but we found it easy to jump over without getting wet. It would be a different story after very wet conditions so be prepared to search for other places to cross or make sure that you have good waterproof boots.

Taking the anti-clockwise direction turned out to be a good plan as the track takes you right up to the summit. The Trig Pillar marks the high point of East Lothian. It’s very close to the border with Berwickshire and it’s a 100m walk to the south to bag the high point of that county. There’s nothing to mark the Berwickshire top so we just took a bearing from the gate near the Trig Pillar to the coordinates. It certainly didn’t feel like a summit but there’s was nothing else notable around so we decided to call it there.

From the Berwickshire top we retraced our steps to the Trig Pillar and followed a path on the south side in an easterly direction. The path comes and goes and it’s quite heavy going, but keep to the left of the fence and you’ll be fine. You’ll cross the East Lothian/Berwickshire border a few times on this path but with nothing to mark the boundary.

When you reach a small gate in the fence where another path comes in from the east, you’ll leave the fence, now heading in a north-easterly direction back down to Faseny Water. After crossing the footbridge you’ll have closed the loop and can return to the parking spot on the road.

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Driving Distances and Times for the Edinburgh Crescent Road Trip

Based only on connections between the walks. Add more based on accommodation, bonus walks etc. Driving times based on light traffic.

1. Edinburgh Airport to West Lomond: 32 miles / approx 40 minutes.

2. West Lomond to Innerdouny Hill: 18 miles / approx 30 minutes.

3. Innerdouny Hill to Ben Cleugh: 13 miles / approx 30 minutes.

4. Ben Cleuch to Cairnpapple Hill: 35 miles / approx 60 minutes.

5. Cairnpapple Hill to Blackhope Scar: 50 miles / approx 90 minutes.

6. Blackhope Scar to Meikle Says Law: 42 miles / approx 90 minutes.

7. Meikle Says Law to Edinburgh Airport: 39 miles / approx 60 minutes.

Total drive: 239 miles / approx 6 hours 40 minutes.

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Other High Points in the Edinburgh Crescent Area

• East Cairn Hill. 567 metres, City of Edinburgh Present Day County High Point: Peakbagger / Hillbagging

• West Cairn Hill. 562 metres, West Lothian Present Day County High Point: Peakbagger / Hillbagging

• Darrach Hill. 357 metres, Falkirk Present Day County High Point: Peakbagger / Hillbagging

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Significance: Highest peak in the Unitary Authority of Brighton and Hove
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Ditchling Beacon, NHN = Newmarket Hill
Historic County: Sussex (of which Black Down is the County Top)
Elevation: 197m
Date “climbed”: 25th June 2022
Coordinates: 50° 50' 23'' N, 0° 3' 37'' W
OS Trig Pillar: TP1764 - Bullocks Hill
Map: Brighton & Hove Map | Lewes & Burgess Hill | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL11
Links: Wikipedia (Brighton & Hove), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Most Unitary Authority High Points that I’ve visited so far have been dull parts of large towns with little to write home about. Bullock’s Hill is a nice exception here with an OS Trig Pillar and great views across to Brighton and the Coast. Be careful not to damage crops in the summer though as there’s no public right of way directly to the summit.

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Significance: Highest peak in the Unitary Authority of Reading
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Walbury Hill, NHN = Bowsey Hill
Historic County: Berkshire (of which Walbury Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 103m
Date “climbed”: 12th June 2022
Coordinates: 51° 27' 5'' N, 1° 2' 48'' W
Map: Reading, Wokingham & Pangbourne Map | Thames Path | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 159
Links: Wikipedia (Reading), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

You can’t miss this one due to the massive water tower at the top. You can’t get in though, as gates are locked so the closest you’ll get are the gates on Park Lane. There’s nothing very interesting around here so I left it until I was in the area. The Wife wanted to go to the nearby IKEA so I made a quick escape from the furnishings to bag this one. There’s parking at the nearby Water Tower pub making this a very quick drive-by.

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The Irish County Tops are the highest points in each of the 32 counties of the island of Ireland. This includes both the 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland and the 6 counties in Northern Ireland. I completed the Northern Ireland counties back in 2016 as a part of my UK County Top collection. That trip got me my first Republic of Ireland county by default as Cuilcagh is the high point of both County Fermanagh (NI) and County Cavan (ROI).

In the next few years I focused on completing England and Wales and made a good start at Scotland. It was only in 2022 that I joined a few friends to properly start my Republic of Ireland County Top collection.

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My Republic of Ireland County Tops completed so far

The Irish County Tops in height order by province/region

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• Carrauntoohil. Co Kerry. 1,039m. (ROI)

• Lugnaquilla. Co Wicklow. 925m. (ROI) Completed

• Galtymore. Co Limerick & Co Tipperary. 919m. (ROI)

• Slieve Donard. Co Down. 850 metres. (NI) Completed

• Mweelrea. Co Mayo. 814m. (ROI)

• Mount Leinster. Co Carlow & Co Wexford. 796m. (ROI) Completed

• Knockmealdown. Co Waterford. 794m. (ROI)

• Kippure. Co Dublin. 757m (ROI) Completed

• Mount Errigal. Co Donegal. 751m. (ROI)

• Benbaun. Co Galway. 729m. (ROI)

• Knockboy. Co Cork. 706m. (ROI)

• Sawel Mountain. Co Londonderry and Co Tyrone. 678 metres. (NI) Completed

• Cuilcagh. Co Cavan and Co Fermanagh. 665m. (ROI/NI) Completed

• Truskmore. Co Sligo. 647m. (ROI)

• Truskmore Cairn. Co Leitrim. 631m. (ROI)

• Slieve Foy. Co Louth. 589m. (ROI)

• Slieve Gullion. Co Armagh. 576 metres. (NI) Completed

• Trostan. Co Antrim. 550 metres. (NI) Completed

• Moylussa. Co Clare. 532m. (ROI)

• Arderin. Co Laois & Co Offaly. 527m. (ROI)

• Brandon Hill. Co Kilkenny. 515m. (ROI) Completed

• Seltannasaggart. Co Roscommon. 428m. (ROI)

• Cupidstown Hill. Co Kildare. 379m. (ROI) Completed

• Slieve Beagh. Co Monaghan. 373m. (ROI)

• Corn Hill. Co Longford. 278m. (ROI)

• Carnbane East. Co Meath. 276m. (ROI)

• Mullaghmeen. Co Westmeath. 258m. (ROI)

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More County Tops

UK County Tops

English County Tops

Scottish County Tops

Welsh County Tops

Northern Ireland County Tops

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Leith HIll Tower

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Significance: Highest peak in Surrey (Historic County Top), Surrey Hills National Landscape High Point
Member of: Marilyn, Hardy
Parent Peak: Walbury Hill.
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Walbury Hill
Elevation: 295m
Date climbed: 25th August 2012 and 20th March 2022
Coordinates: 51°10′33″N 0°22′11″W
Map: OS Explorer 146 Dorking, Box Hill & Reigate
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir), Walking the County High Points of England (David Bathurst)
Links: Wikipedia (Surrey), Wikipedia (Leith Hill), Peakbagger, Hillbagging, National Trust

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Leith Hill is the highest point in both the Historic and Ceremonial Counties of Surrey. It’s on the Greensand Way in the heart of the Surrey Hills and I’ve visited it on several occasions. My favourite walk featuring Leith Hill is Section 10 of the Greensand Way which also takes in Broadmoor and Abinger Common in a 10km walk.

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GREATER LONDON BOROUGH HIGH POINTS FORMERLY WITHIN Surrey

• Sanderstead Plantation (175m) Croydon Borough High Point

• Clock House (147m) Sutton Borough High Point

• Sydenham Hill (112m) Southwark and Lewisham Borough High Point

• Westow Hill (110m) Lambeth Borough High Point

• Telegraph Hill (90m) Kingston upon Thames Borough High Point

• Putney Heath (60m) Wandsworth Borough High Point

• Richmond Park (56m) Richmond upon Thames Borough High Point

• Wimbledon Common Big Alp (55m) Merton Borough High Point

• Lauriston Road (55m) Merton (alternative) Borough High Point

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View from the base of Leith HIll Tower

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Start & Finish: Starveall Car Park, Leith Hill Rd, Dorking, RH5 6LU
Distance: 10.3 km (6.4 miles)
Elevation Change: +/- 206m
Greensand Way section covered: Holmbury St Mary to Broadmoor Village: 6.4 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Leith Hill Greenway
Other routes touched (cycle): Surrey Cycleway, various mountain bike trails in Leith Hill woods.
Pubs / Cafes on route: National Trust Cafe at Leith Hill (1 km in)
Map: OS Explorer 146 Dorking, Box Hill & Reigate
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir), Walking the County High Points of England (David Bathurst)
Links: Wikipedia (Surrey), Wikipedia (Leith Hill), Peakbagger, Hillbagging, National Trust

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This is the tenth of a series of short circular walks featuring the Greensand Way. The full trail is a long distance path stretching from Haslemere in Surrey to Ham Street in Kent. Our walks take in short sections of the Greensand Way and loop back to the start on other paths. The Greensand Way is well sign posted however you’ll need a map or GPX route to keep on track for the return sections of the loops. The guidance below will help but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide.

Our first visit to Leith Hill was in 2012 at the start of my UK County Top mission. That one was a quick drive-by on the way back from somewhere else, taking in only the 1km walk from the car park to the summit. I had wanted to return to do it as a part of a larger Surrey Hills Circular. So, nearly 10 years later, we made our second ascent.

This 10km walk starts at Starveall Car Park and follows the Greensand Way for much of its length. From the car park, follow the well-signed path to the tower. On both occasions that I’ve been there the actual tower has been closed but the small kiosk in the base has been open. This is the only place to buy food or drink on the route to it’s a good place to stop and admire the view before continuing.

After the tower continue along the Greensand Way, descending steeply in a easterly direction. At the bottom of the hill take a left turn to remain on the Greensand Way, now heading to the north. Keep on the Greensand Way for nearly 3km until you reach Broadmoor Road. Take a left onto Broadmoor Road (leaving the Greensand Way) and follow it for 100m, taking the footpath on the right next to the village information sign. At the first path junction take a right and follow this path as it curves to the west to the Mill Pond at Friday Street. You’ll cross over Sheephouse Lane and Noon’s Corner Road on the way.

When you reach the Mill Pond you’ll be back on Noon’s Corner Road. Follow this in a westerly direction, ascending until a bend in the road where you can take the footpath on the left. Follow this path for 300m, then take a right to follow another path to meet Hollow Lane at Abinger Common. Cross over Hollow Lane, then over Abinger Lane following a path through Pasture Woods until you descend to a path next to a stream that runs parallel to the B2126. Take a left to follow the path with the stream on your right until you meet the B2126 at Holmbury St Mary.

Take a left onto B2126 at Holmbury St Mary following it for 300m then take a left onto Pasture Wood Road. Follow Pasture Wood Road for another 300m then take the footpath on the right as the road bends to the left. You’re now back on the Greensand Way which you can follow for 2km back to the Starveall Car Park

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• Previous section: Walking The Greensand Way Part 9 - Pitch Hill and Holmbury Hill

• Next section: Walking The Greensand Way Part 11 - Westcott and Bury Hill

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Path junction in Swinley Forest

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Start & Finish: The Look Out Discovery Centre, Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, RG12 7QW
Distance: 8.2 km (5.1 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 107m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Rambler’s Route, Three Castles Path
Other routes touched (cycle): Swinley Forest Mountain Bike Routes
Pubs / Cafes on route: Cafe at the Look Out Discovery Centre
OS Trig Pillar: TP5536 - Pudding Hill
Map: OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Swinley Forest, The Lookout Discovery Centre

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I had visited Swinley Forest many time but, until recently, had completed missed that it contains a present-day county top. Surrey Hill, the high point of the Unitary Authority of Bracknell Forest, can be found at the far south side of the forest.

From the Look Out car park take the Rambler’s Route for 1.2 km south from the Discovery Centre. You’ll pass by the Pudding Hill Trig Pillar after 600m. When the Rambler’s Route take a sharp bend to the right, continue straight now heading south-east. There’s a lot of tracks and few sign-posts so having the GPX route is your best bet to keep you on the right route. Approx 400 metres after leaving the Rambler’s Route take the right hand path heading south-east rather than the larger track. This will take you past New England Hill and will meet up with Bracknell Road (track) after 670 metres. Take a right onto Bracknell Road and follow it south. You’ll reach a sign for Surrey Hill at a larger path junction before ascending to the high point.

After Surrey Hill keep heading south toward the large transmitter before turning right ~750m from Surrey Hill summit. You’ll now be heading south/south-west across some open land, eventually meeting a fence. This is the boundary of Swinley Forest and neighboring MOD land. Cross through the gate and follow the paths past Deer Rock Hill to meet a long straight path heading north-west. This section is especially tricky to navigate without a GPS.

Once on the long north-westerly path, follow it until a large junction of 8 paths. Take the large north-easterly path called Windsor Ride, then the mountain bike path that splits off from it after 40m. Follow this path north until it meets the Three Castles Path and follow that back to the start.

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Surrey Hill

Significance: Highest Point in the Unitary Authority of Bracknell Forest
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Butser Hill. NHN = Bowsey Hill
Historic County: Berkshire (of which Walbury Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 130m
Date “climbed”: December 18th 2021
Coordinates: 51° 22' 9'' N, 0° 43' 30'' W
Map: OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Wikipedia (Bracknell Forest), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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The counties of England have evolved with the most significant changes occurring over the last 100 years. The main groupings are:

• Historic Counties. Also referred to as Traditional Counties or Former Counties. These have been in existence since the Middle Ages.

• Administrative Counties. Established by the Local Government Act 1888. These closely matched the Historic Counties but with some sub-divisions such as Yorkshire being split into the North, East and West Ridings.

• Ceremonial Counties. Areas of England to which lord-lieutenants are appointed and defined by the Lieutenancies Act 1997

• Metropolitan and Non-Metropolitan counties. Established by the Local Government Act 1972 and subsequent changes, the 1888 Administrative Counties were replaced by 82 metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties plus Isles of Scilly and Greater London.

• Unitary Authorities. Established by the Local Government Act 1992, they are responsible for the provision of all local government services within a district.

This post shows the highest point in each of England’s counties based on the above groupings. As the Venn diagram shows there is a lot of overlap between the different types of county.

Contact me if you spot a mistake on this page or you have new information and I will make a donation to one of my causes.

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Key to abbreviations in the lists below

• HC = Historic County.

• AC = Administrative County.

• CC = Ceremonial County.

• UA = Unitary Authority or Metropolitan and Non-Metropolitan County.

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England’s Historic County Tops

Also referred to as Traditional Counties or Former Counties. These have been in existence since the Middle Ages. More details on Historic Counties.

1. Scafell Pike. 978 metres. HC, AC, UA = Cumberland. CC = Cumbria.

2. Helvellyn. 950 metres. HC, AC = Westmorland, UA = Westmorland and Furness.

3. The Cheviot. 815 metres. HC, AC, CC, UA = Northumberland.

4. The Old Man of Coniston. 803 metres. HC, AC = Lancashire.

5. Mickle Fell. 790 metres. HC = Yorkshire. AC = North Riding of Yorkshire. CC, UA = County Durham.

6. Burnhope Seat. 747 metres. HC, AC = County Durham.

7. Black Mountain. 703 metres. HC, AC, CC, UA = Herefordshire. Also of defunct county of Hereford and Worcester.

8. Kinder Scout. 636 metres. HC, AC, CC = Derbyshire.

9. High Willhays. 621 metres. HC, AC, CC = Devon.

10. Black Hill. 582 metres. HC, AC = Cheshire. CC = West Yorkshire. UA = Kirklees

11. Brown Clee Hill. 540 metres. HC, AC, CC = Shropshire.

12. Cheeks Hill. 520 metres. HC, AC, CC = Staffordshire.

13. Dunkery Beacon. 519 metres. HC, AC, CC, UA = Somerset.

14. Worcestershire Beacon. 425 metres. HC, AC, CC = Worcestershire.

15. Brown Willy. 420 metres. HC, AC, CC, UA = Cornwall.

16. Cleeve Hill. 330 metres. HC, AC, CC = Gloucestershire.

17. Walbury Hill. 297 metres. HC, AC, CC = Berkshire. UA = West Berkshire.

18. Leith Hill. 295 metres. HC, AC, CC = Surrey.

19. Milk Hill. 294 metres. HC, AC, CC, UA = Wiltshire.

20. Pilot Hill. 286 metres. HC, AC, CC = Hampshire.

21. Black Down. 280 metres. HC = Sussex. AC, CC = West Sussex.

22. Lewesdon Hill. 279 metres. HC, AC, CC, UA = Dorset.

23. Bardon Hill. 278 metres. HC, AC, CC = Leicestershire.

24. Haddington Hill. 267 metres. HC, AC, CC, UA = Buckinghamshire. Also known as “Wendover Woods”

25. Ebrington Hill. 261 metres. HC, AC, CC = Warwickshire.

26. Bald Hill. 257 metres. HC = Oxfordshire.

27. Betsoms Hill. 251 metres. HC, AC, CC = Kent.

28. Pavis Wood. 244 metres. HC, AC, CC = Hertfordshire.

29. Dunstable Downs. 243 metres. HC, AC, CC = Bedfordshire. UA = Central Bedfordshire.

30. Arbury Hill. 225 metres. HC, AC, CC = Northamptonshire. UA = West Northamptonshire. Alternative = Big Hill - Staverton Clump

31. Silverhill or Newtonwood Lane. 205 metres. HC, AC, CC = Nottinghamshire.

32. Cold Overton Park. 197 metres. HC, AC, CC, UA = Rutland.

33. Normanby Top. 168 metres. HC, CC = Lincolnshire. AC = Parts of Lindsey.

34. Bushey Heath. 153 metres. HC, AC = Middlesex.

35. Chrishall Common. 147 metres. HC, AC, CC = Essex.

36. Great Chishill. 146 metres. HC, AC, CC = Cambridgeshire.

37. Great Wood. 128 metres. HC, CC = Suffolk. AC = West Suffolk.

38. Beacon Hill. 105 metres. HC, AC, CC, UA = Norfolk.

39. Boring Field. 80 metres. HC, AC = Huntingdonshire.

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England’s Administrative County Tops

The Local Government Act 1888 split some Historic Counties into new Administrative Counties. The list below shows only the counties that were split with their highest points. All of the Historic Counties in the list above have the same Administrative County name and same highest point. More details on Administrative Counties.

Cambridgeshire Historic County, split into:

• Cambridgeshire. Administrative County. High Point = Great Chishill. 146 metres.

• Isle of Ely. Administrative County. High Point = Haddenham Village. 39 metres.

Cornwall Historic County, split into:

• Cornwall Administrative County. High Point = Brown Willy. 420 metres.

• Isles of Scilly Administrative County. High Point = Higher Newford. 51 metres.

Hampshire Historic County, split into:

• Hampshire Administrative County. High Point = Pilot Hill. 286 metres.

• Isle of Wight Administrative County. High Point = St Boniface Down. 241 metres.

Lincolnshire Historic County, split into:

• Parts of Lindsey Administrative County. High Point = Normanby Top. 168 metres.

• Parts of Kesteven Administrative County. High Point = Viking Way. 151 metres.

• Parts of Holland Administrative County. High Point = Pinchbeck Marsh. 8 metres.

London, previous parts of Middlesex, Essex and Surrey

• County of London Administrative County. High Point = Hampstead Heath. 134 metres.

Northamptonshire Historic County, split into:

• Northamptonshire Administrative County. High Point = Arbury Hill. 225 metres. (alternative is Big Hill - Staverton Clump)

• Soke of Peterborough Administrative County. High Point = Racecourse Road. 81 metres. Also Peterborough UA High Point.

Suffolk Historic County, split into:

• West Suffolk Administrative County. High Point = Great Wood. 128 metres.

• East Suffolk Administrative County. High Point = Wattisham Airfield. 90 metres.

Sussex Historic County, split into:

• West Sussex Administrative County. High Point = Black Down. 280 metres.

• East Sussex Administrative County. High Point = Ditchling Beacon. 248 metres.

Yorkshire Historic County, split into:

• North Riding Administrative County. High Point = Mickle Fell. 790 metres. Also the CC High Point of Durham

• West Riding Administrative County. High Point = Whernside. 736 metres. Also the CC, UA High Point of North Yorkshire

• East Riding Administrative County. High Point = Bishop Wilton Wold (Garrowby Hill). 248 metres. Also UA High Point of East Riding of Yorkshire

• The City of York which remained independent from the three Ridings. UA = Stock Hill, 44 metres.

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England’s Ceremonial County Tops

Ceremonial Counties area areas of England to which lord-lieutenants are appointed and defined by the Lieutenancies Act 1997. They are more commonly referred to as the Present Day counties. Many of the counties share the same name and geography as the Historic and Administrative Counties. Some of the “new” Administrative Counties such as East and West Suffolk remained while others Isle of Ely and Soke of Peterborough no longer exist as counties. Yorkshire was redivided again into 4 Ceremonial Counties vs the 3 Ridings of the Administrative Counties. More details on Ceremonial Counties.

Counties with the same name as an Historic or Administrative and have the same high point are not shown but are noted in the relevant sections above.

• Gragareth. 628 metres or Green Hill. 628 metres. CC = Lancashire. HC = Lancashire (of which Old Man of Coniston is higher).

• Shining Tor. 559 metres. CC = Cheshire. HC = Cheshire (of which Black Hill is higher). UA = Cheshire East.

• High Stones. 550 metres. CC = South Yorkshire. AC = West Riding of Yorkshire (of which Whernside is higher). UA = Sheffield.

• Black Chew Head. 542 metres. CC = Greater Manchester. AC = West Riding of Yorkshire (of which Whernside is higher). UA = Oldham.

• Turners Hill. 271 metres. CC = West Midlands. HC = Staffordshire (of which Cheeks Hill is higher). UA = Sandwell.

• Whitehorse Hill. 261 metres. CC = Oxfordshire. HC = Berkshire (of which Walbury Hill is higher).

• Currock Hill. 259 metres. CC =Tyne and Wear. HC = County Durham (of which Burnhope Seat is higher). UA = Gateshead.

• Westerham Heights. 245 metres. CC = Greater London. HC = Kent (of which Betsom’s Hill is higher).

• Billinge Hill. 179 metres. CC = Merseyside. HC = Lancashire (of which Old Man of Coniston is higher). UA = St. Helens.

• Dundry Hill East. 160 metres. CC = Bristol. HC = Somerset (of which Dunkery Beacon is higher). UA = Bristol. Also known as “Maes Knoll”

• High Holborn. 22 metres. CC = City of London. HC = Middlesex (of which Bushey Heath is higher).

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England’s Metropolitan Borough Tops

A Metropolitan Borough, created by the Local Government Act 1972, is a subdivision of a metropolitan Ceremonial County. These exclude the 32 Boroughs of Greater London (see here for details). Each borough is effectively a Unitary Authority. More details on Metropolitan Boroughs.

Merseyside Metropolitan and Ceremonial County, split into 5 Metropolitan Boroughs:

• Billinge Hill. 179 metres. St Helens.

• Poll Hill. 108 metres. Wirral.

• Knowsley Park. 97 metres. Knowsley.

• Woolton Hill. 89 metres. Liverpool.

• Melling Mount. 36 metres. Sefton.
  
  

Greater Manchester Metropolitan and Ceremonial County, split into 10 Metropolitan Boroughs:

• Black Chew Head. 542 metres. Oldham.

• Hoarstone Edge. 497 metres. Tameside.

• Blackstone Edge. 474 metres. Rochdale. Alternative is Hail Storm Hill-Southeast Slope

• Winter Hill Boundary. 445 metres. Bolton.

• Scholes Height and Bull Hill. 415 metres. Bury.

• Mellor Moor. 327 metres. Stockport. Alternative is Robin Hood's Picking Rods

• Billinge Hill North Top. 169 metres. Wigan.

• Newcombe Drive, Greenheys. 116 metres. Salford.

• Heaton Park. 108 metres. Manchester.

• Green Walk (Bowdon). 67 metres. Trafford. Alternative is Devisdale.
  
  

South Yorkshire Metropolitan and Ceremonial County, split into 4 Metropolitan Boroughs:

• Howden Edge / High Stones. 550 metres. Sheffield.

• Howden Edge / Hoar Stones. 514 metres. Barnsley.

• Fir Hill / Harthill Field. 157 metres. Rotherham.

• Foredoles Hill. 144 metres. Doncaster.
  
  

Tyne and Wear Metropolitan and Ceremonial County, split into 5 Metropolitan Boroughs:

• Currock Hill. 259 metres. Gateshead.

• Warden Law. 182 metres. Sunderland.

• Westerhope. 131 metres. Newcastle upon Tyne.

• Silverlink Park. 94 metres. North Tyneside.

• Boldon Hills. 90 metres. South Tyneside.

West Midlands Metropolitan and Ceremonial County, split into 7 Metropolitan Boroughs:

• Turners Hill. 271 metres. Sandwell.

• Cawney Hill. 251 metres. Dudley.

• Rednal Hill North Top. 250 metres. Birmingham.

• Sedgley Beacon. 235 metres. Wolverhampton.

• Barr Beacon. 227 metres. Walsall.

• Meighs Wood. 185 metres. Solihull.

• Corley Moor. 167 metres. Coventry.
  

West Yorkshire Metropolitan and Ceremonial County, split into 5 Metropolitan Boroughs:

• Black Hill. 582 metres. Kirklees.

• Waystone Edge. 480 metres. Calderdale.

• Withins Height. 455 metres. Bradford.

• Burley Moor. 340 metres. Leeds.

• Woolley Edge. 176 metres. Wakefield.

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England’s Non-Metropolitan County & Unitary Authority Tops

The list below shows the highest points of the Non-Metropolitan counties that were established following the Local Government Act 1972 and Unitary Authorities established following the Local Government Act 1992. More details on Non-Metropolitan Counties and Unitary Authorities.

Counties with the same name as an Historic, Administrative or Ceremonial County and have the same high point are not shown but are noted in the relevant sections above.

• Winter Hill. 456 metres. Blackburn with Darwen: formerly part of the Historic County of Lancashire.

• The Wrekin. 407 metres. Telford and Wrekin: formerly part of the Historic County of Shropshire.

• Gisborough Hill. 328 metres. Redcar and Cleveland: formerly part of the Historic County of Yorkshire (AC = North Riding of).

• Liddington Hill. 277 metres. Swindon: formerly part of the Historic County of Wiltshire.

• Niver Hill. 264 metres. Bath and North East Somerset: formerly part of the Historic County of Somerset and the former Ceremonial County of Avon.

• Meir Heath. 250 metres. Stoke-on-Trent: formerly part of the Historic County of Staffordshire.

• Blagdon Hill Farm. 240 metres. North Somerset: formerly part of the Historic County of Somerset and the former Ceremonial County of Avon.

• Hanging Hill. 237 metres. South Gloucestershire: formerly part of the Historic County of Gloucestershire and the former Ceremonial County of Avon.

• Raw Head. 227 metres. Cheshire West and Chester: formerly part of the Historic County of Cheshire.

• Dere Street. 218 metres. Darlington: formerly part of the Historic County of County Durham.

• Beacon Hill. 196 metres. Torbay: formerly part of the Historic County of Devon.

• Bullock Hill. 195 metres. Brighton and Hove: formerly part of the Historic County of Sussex. (AC = East Sussex).

• Whitehill - Butterfield Green: 178 metres. Luton: formerly part of the Historic County of Bedfordshire.

• Bow Brickhill. 171 metres. Milton Keynes: formerly part of the Historic County of Buckinghamshire.

• Holly Hill. 170 metres. Medway (Towns): formerly part of the Historic County of Kent.

• Woolwell Road. 162 metres. Plymouth: formerly part of the Historic County of Devon.

• Mill Hill. 161 metres. North Northamptonshire: formerly part of the Historic County of Northamptonshire.

• Ashley Hill. 144 metres. Windsor & Maidenhead: formerly part of the Historic County of Berkshire.

• Whelly Hill. 142 metres. Hartlepool: formerly part of the Historic County of County Durham and the former Ceremonial County of Cleveland.

• Bowsey Hill. 140 metres. Wokingham: formerly part of the Historic County of Berkshire.

• Allestree Park. 135 metres. Derby (City): formerly part of the Historic County of Derbyshire.

• Nottingham M1 Motorway. 130 metres. Nottingham: formerly part of the Historic County of Nottinghamshire.

• Surrey Hill. 128 metres. Bracknell Forest: formerly part of the Historic County of Berkshire.

• Fort Southwick. 122 metres. Portsmouth: formerly part of the Historic County of Hampshire. “Also known as Ports Down”.

• Wold Newton. 117 metres. North East Lincolnshire: formerly part of the Historic County of Lincolnshire.

• Langdon Hill-Southwest Slope. 115 metres. Thurrock: formerly part of the Historic County of Essex.

• Nether Hall. 110 metres. Leicester (City): formerly part of the Historic County of Leicestershire.

• The Slipe. 107 metres. Bedford (Borough): formerly part of the Historic County of Bedfordshire.

• Appleton Park. 105 metres Warrington: formerly part of the Historic County of Cheshire.

• Park Lane, Tilehurst. 103 metres. Reading: formerly part of the Historic County of Berkshire.

• Saxby Wold. 102 metres. North Lincolnshire: formerly part of the Historic County of Lincolnshire.

• Halton Castle. 100 metres. Halton: formerly part of the Historic County of Cheshire.

• Quarry Hill. 100 metres. Middlesbrough: formerly part of the Historic County of Yorkshire (AC = North Riding of) and the former Ceremonial County of Cleveland.

• Boy Hill. 82 metres. Stockton-on-Tees (alt): formerly part of the Historic County of County Durham and the former Ceremonial County of Cleveland.

• Thorpe Larches. 82 metres. Stockton-on-Tees (alt): formerly part of the Historic County of County Durham and the former Ceremonial County of Cleveland.

• Basset Avenue. 82 metres. Southampton: formerly part of the Historic County of Hampshire.

• Corfe Hills. 78 metres. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole: formerly part of the Historic County of Dorset.

• Heath Mount. 60 metres. Southend-on-Sea (alt): formerly part of the Historic County of Essex.

• London Road. 60 metres. Southend-on-Sea (alt): formerly part of the Historic County of Essex.

• East Burnham Park. 51 metres. Slough: formerly part of the Historic County of Berkshire.

• Stock Hill. 44 metres. York: formerly part of the Historic County of Yorkshire (AC = North Riding of).

• Warbreck Reservoir. 30 metres. Blackpool: formerly part of the Historic County of Lancashire.

• South Field. 12 metres. Kingston upon Hull: formerly part of the Historic County of Yorkshire (AC = East Riding of).

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Defunct Counties

• Herford and Worcester. Formerly parts of the Historic & Administrative Counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. High Point = Black Mountain. 703 metres.

• Avon. Formerly parts of the Historic Counties of Gloucestershire and Somerset. High Point = Niver Hill. 264 metres.

• Humberside. Formerly parts of the Administrative Counties of East Riding of Yorkshire, West Riding of Yorkshire, and Parts of Lindsey, (Lincolnshire). High Point = (to be verified) Bishop Wilton Wold (Garrowby Hill). 248 metres.

• Cleveland. Formerly part of the Historic Counties of County Durham and Yorkshire (AC = North Riding of). High Point = Whelly Hill. 142 metres.

• Huntingdon and Peterborough. Formerly the Administrative Counties of Huntingdonshire and Soke of Peterborough. High Point = Racecourse Road. 81 metres.

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The Rapes of Sussex

The Rapes of Sussex were major land divisions of the county, thought to pre-date the Norman Conquest. More details here

• Blackdown 280 metres. Rape of Chicester. Also Sussex HC and West Sussex CC High Points.

• Ditchling Beacon. 248 metres. Rape of Lewes. Also East Sussex CC High Point.

• Glatting Beacon. 245 metres. Rape of Arundel.

• Crowborough Beacon. 242 metres. Rape of Pevensey.

• Chanctonbury Ring. 240 metres. Rape of Bramber.

• Brightling Down. 197 meters. Rape of Hastings.

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More High Points

UK County Tops

Scottish County Tops

Welsh County Tops

Northern Ireland County Tops

Irish County Tops

National Parks & National Landscapes

London High Points

Sussex Rapes

European High Points

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Compared to England, the Scottish Counties have had few changes over the years. There’s 3 main groupings of Scottish County:

• Scottish Shires. Historic subdivisions of Scotland established in the Middle Ages and used as administrative divisions until 1975.

• Historic Counties. Also referred to as Traditional Counties or Former Counties. Established by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889 and abolished by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

• Scottish Council Areas. Also referred to as Present Day Counties. Established by the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994.

This post shows the highest point in each of Scotland’s counties based on the above groupings. As the Venn diagram shows there is a lot of overlap between the different types of county.

Contact me if you spot a mistake on this page or you have new information and I will make a donation to one of my causes.

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Scotland’s Historic County Tops

Also referred to as Traditional Counties or Former Counties. Established by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889 and abolished by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. More details on Scotland’s Historic Counties.

The highest points of these Historic Counties are:

1. Ben Nevis. 1,344 metres. Completed. Historic County = Invernessshire, Present Day County = Highland.

2. Ben Macdui. 1,309 metres. Historic Counties = Aberdeenshire and Banffshire. Present Day Counties = Aberdeenshire and Moray.

3. Ben Lawers. 1,214 metres. Completed. Historic County = Perthshire. Present Day County = Perth and Kinross.

4. Carn Eige. 1,183 metres. Historic County = Ross and Cromarty.

5. Bidean nam Bian. 1,150 metres. Historic County = Argyll.

6. Glas Maol. 1,068 metres. Completed. Historic County = Angus.

7. Ben More Assynt. 998 metres. Historic County = Sutherland.

8. Ben Lomond. 974 metres. Completed. Historic County = Stirlingshire.

9. Ben Vorlich. 943 metres. Completed. Historic County = Dunbartonshire.

10. Goatfell. 874 metres. Completed. Historic County = Buteshire. Present Day County = North Ayrshire.

11. Merrick. 843 metres. Completed. Historic County = Kirkcudbrightshire. Present Day County = Dumfries and Galloway.

12. Broad Law. 840 metres. Completed. Historic Counties = Peeblesshire and Selkirkshire. Present Day County = Scottish Borders.

13. White Coomb. 821 metres. Completed. Historic County = Dumfriesshire.

14. Kirriereoch Hill-North West Slope. 782 metres. Completed. Historic County = Ayreshire. Present Day County = South Ayrshire.

15. Mount Battock. 778 metres. Completed. Historic County = Kincardineshire.

16. Culter Fell. 748 metres. Completed. Historic County = Lanarkshire. Present Day County = South Lanarkshire.

17. Hangingstone Hill. 743 metres. Completed. Historic County = Roxburghshire.

18. Ben Cleuch. 721 metres. Completed. Historic County = Clackmannanshire. Present Day County = Clackmannanshire.

19. Carn a'Ghille Chearr. 710 metres. Historic County = Morayshire.

20. Morven. 706 metres. Historic County = Caithness.

21. Carn Glas-choire. 659 metres. Historic County = Nairnshire.

22. Blackhope Scar. 651 metres. Completed. Historic County = Midlothian. Present Day County = Midlothian.

23. Meikle Says Law. 535 metres. Completed. Historic County = East Lothian. Present Day County = East Lothian.

24. Meikle Says Law (boundary). 532 metres. Completed. Historic County = Berwickshire.

25. West Lomond. 522 metres. Completed. Historic County = Fife. Present Day County = Fife.

26. Hill of Stake. 522 metres. Completed. Historic County = Renfrewshire. Present Day County = Renfrewshire.

27. Innerdouny Hill. 497 metres. Completed. Historic County = Kinross-shire.

28. Ward Hill. 481 metres. Historic County = Orkney. Present Day County = Orkney.

29. Ronas Hill. 450 metres. Historic County = Shetland. Present Day County = Shetland.

30. Craigairie Fell. 321 metres. Completed. Historic County = Wigtownshire.

31. Cairnpapple Hill. 312 metres. Completed. Historic County = West Lothian.

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Scotland’s Present Day County Tops

Scotland has 32 Unitary Authorities that replaced the 33 County Councils that existed from 1890 to 1975. More details on Present Day counties of Scotland.

The list above shows where a peak is both an Historic and a Present Day County Top. The 14 peaks shown below are distinct from the Historic County Tops.

1. Ben More. 1,174 metres, Stirling.

2. Ben Cruachan. 1,132 metres, Argyll and Bute.

3. An Cliseam / Clisham. 799 metres, Western Isles.

4. Blackcraig Hill. 700 metres, East Ayrshire.

5. East Cairn Hill. 567 metres, Edinburgh.

6. West Cairn Hill. 562 metres, West Lothian.

7. Cort-ma Law East Top. 527 metres, North Lanarkshire.

8. Creuch Hill. 441 metres, Inverclyde.

9. Duncolm. 407 metres, West Dunbartonshire.

10. Corse Hill. 376 metres, East Renfrewshire.

11. Darrach Hill. 357 metres, Falkirk.

12. Brimmond Hill. 265 metres, Completed. Aberdeen.

13. Cathkin Hill. 200 metres, Glasgow.

14. Gallow Hill. 175 metres, Completed. Dundee.

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Scottish Counties Prior to 1890 (Shires)

The Shires were historic subdivisions of Scotland established in the Middle Ages and used as administrative divisions until 1975. More details on the Scottish Shires.

The mountains below are the high points of the Scottish Shires that are distinct from either Historic or Present Day County Tops.

1. Sgurr Mor. Sgurr Mor 1003m, Cromartyshire.
   - Carn Eige is the Historic & Present Day County Top of Ross and Cromarty.

2. Dun Rig. 774m, Selkirkshire.
   - Broad Law is the Historic County Top of Selkirkshire and the Present Day County Top of Scottish Borders.

3. Carn nam Bain-tighearna. 634m, Nairnshire
   - Ben Nevis is the County Top of Present-Day Highland

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More High Points

UK County Tops

English County Tops

Welsh County Tops

Irish County Tops

Northern Ireland County Tops

National Parks & National Landscapes High Points

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