Pennines

The Pennines are a large upland chain in Northern England, running roughly north-south from the Peak District in the south to the Cheviot Hills near the Scotland border. They form a natural barrier separating the North West from the North East and act as a watershed for rivers draining to the North Sea and the Irish Sea.

The range comprises Carboniferous sedimentary rocks including sandstone and limestone and shale. Its landscape features moorland, peat bogs, limestone valleys and rugged escarpments. The highest point is Cross Fell, at about 900 meters above sea level.

The southern Pennines are associated with the Peak District, while the central and northern sections include the North Pennines, designated as a National Nature Reserve and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Pennines host the Pennine Way, a long-distance footpath that traverses the length of the range. The Peak District National Park, established in 1951, was the first such park in the United Kingdom.

The range forms a major watershed, with rivers such as the Derwent, Tyne, Wear and Ribble draining on different sides. The uplands support moorland habitats and peat bogs, home to species such as red grouse and skylarks. Land use is dominated by grazing, especially sheep farming, along with quarrying in some areas. The Pennines attract walkers, hikers and tourists, and are crossed by transport routes such as the Settle-Carlisle railway and the trans-Pennine A66 road.