England's Mountains & Hills: Complete Guide

The question "are there any mountains in England" is surprisingly common. The answer is yes — England has over 180 peaks that meet the 600-metre (2,000-foot) threshold commonly used to define a mountain in the UK. The highest peaks in England are concentrated in the Lake District, with Scafell Pike standing at 978 metres (3,209 feet) as the nation’s tallest. While none of England’s mountains exceed 1,000 metres, they are rugged, beautiful, and offer genuinely challenging terrain.

The distinction between hills and mountains in England can be subtle. Many of the most famous walking destinations — such as the Peak District’s Kinder Scout and the Yorkshire Dales’ Pen-y-ghent — are technically hills rather than mountains by the 600-metre definition, but they are universally referred to as part of the English hills walking tradition. For more on the definition of a mountain, see our UK mountains overview guide.

The highest peaks in England are all located in the Lake District. The top five are:

1. Scafell Pike — 978 m (3,209 ft), Lake District
2. Scafell — 964 m (3,163 ft), Lake District
3. Helvellyn — 950 m (3,117 ft), Lake District
4. Skiddaw — 931 m (3,054 ft), Lake District
5. Great Gable — 899 m (2,949 ft), Lake District

These peaks are classified as Hewitts and Nuttalls. They are also popular Wainwrights — peaks featured in Alfred Wainwright’s famous Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells. The mountain heights UK rankings place all of England’s highest peaks well below the Scottish Munros, but their rocky terrain and exposed ridges make them serious undertakings in poor weather.

The mountain ranges of England include several distinct upland areas:

• The Lake District — England’s highest and most mountainous region, containing all of the top 10 highest peaks. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Pennines — often called the "backbone of England," this is the longest upland chain, stretching from the Peak District to the Cheviot Hills.
• The Peak District — England’s first National Park, featuring the Dark Peak moorlands and the White Peak limestone dales.
• The Yorkshire Dales — a mix of valleys, fells, and limestone pavements with peaks like Pen-y-ghent and Ingleborough.
• The North York Moors — extensive heather moorland with rolling hills rather than true mountains.
• Dartmoor and Exmoor — Devon and Somerset’s upland areas, featuring tors and moorland walking.

The English hills walking tradition encompasses both true mountains (over 600 metres) and lower hills that are culturally significant. The hills in England include famous walking peaks like Mam Tor (517 m) in the Peak District, Pen-y-ghent (694 m) in the Yorkshire Dales, and Roseberry Topping (320 m) in the North York Moors. While some of these fall below the 600-metre mountain threshold, they are essential parts of the hills England walking experience. The Three Peaks of Yorkshire — Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough, and Whernside — form a popular challenge walk that includes two true mountains and one borderline peak.

On a mountains of England map, the highest ground is clearly concentrated in the northwest — specifically the Lake District. The Pennines form a spine running north-south through northern England, while the Peak District and Yorkshire Dales sit to the south and east of the Lakes. For walkers planning a tour, the Ordnance Survey Explorer series provides detailed coverage of all these areas. OS Explorer maps OL5 (Helvellyn and Ullswater), OL6 (Skiddaw and Keswick), and OL7 (Scafell Pike and Wast Water) cover the highest Lake District peaks.

For those interested in exploring peaks beyond England, our UK mountains overview guide covers the full range of British mountains, while our UK mountain heights and top 10 lists provides ranked height data across all four nations.

Walking in the English hills requires similar preparation to higher UK mountains, despite the lower altitudes. Lake District weather can change rapidly, with low cloud and rain common even in summer. Carry waterproofs, a map, compass, and sufficient food and water. The mountain heights UK rankings may place England’s peaks below Scotland’s, but the terrain — particularly on ridges like Striding Edge on Helvellyn — can be exposed and dangerous in poor conditions. For those interested in the famous national challenge, our guide to the three highest peaks in the UK covers Scafell Pike as the English representative.