Hills and Mountains of Southwest UK

The only true mountains in southwest UK are the Brecon Beacons and neighbouring ranges, all contained within Brecon Beacons National Park, though even these are not especially dramatic or craggy compared with Snowdonia in north Wales, or many other peaks further north. The highest point, 2,907 foot Pen y Fan, is an especially popular destination, climbed by hundreds of people on some days, though most other areas of the park are much less visited, and true solitude can still be found. The point furthest from a road (about 3 miles) is within the Black Mountain Fans, also not very remarkable compared with other mountains, but still distant enough for an authentic wilderness experience. Besides the peaks, nearly all of which are smooth-sided, flat-topped, and covered by short grass, generally without any rocky outcrops, the national park also contains valleys, waterfalls, caves, reservoirs and assorted historic structures.

Other significant high elevation regions consist of hills or plateaus rather than mountains, such as the extensive moorland of Dartmoor and Exmoor, and narrower ranges of hills including the Malverns, Quantocks, Blackdowns and Mendips. The latter rise up to 1,000 feet above the surroundings and contain one significant open, moor-like area (Black Down), plus several smaller unfenced regions including around Cheddar Gorge and at Crook Peak. The Cotswold Hills are rather less dramatic, and the elevation is only properly evident along the perimeter, especially along the west edge, where the ground drops abruptly towards Seven Vale, viewed example at Barrow Wake, Coaley Peak, Crickley Hill and Swift's Hill.