pennine

Pennine refers to anything relating to the Pennines, a major upland system in Northern England that forms the backbone of the country. The Pennines extend roughly 250 to 300 miles (400 to 480 kilometers) from the Cheviot Hills near the Scottish border to the Peak District in the Midlands, running in a northeast–southwest direction. The highest point is Cross Fell in the North Pennines, at 893 meters (2,930 feet).

Geology and landscape

The range is built mainly from Carboniferous rocks. The western Dark Peak features gritstone moorlands, while the eastern White Peak contains limestone plateaus and valleys. The terrain includes deep valleys, extensive moorland, peat bogs, and scattered woodland. The landscape was shaped by ancient seas and subsequent glaciations during the Pleistocene, producing a rugged, weather-exposed environment.

Hydrology and ecology

The Pennines form a watershed between the east and west of northern England. East-draining rivers flow to the North Sea, while west-draining rivers reach the Irish Sea. Notable rivers include the Tyne, Tees, Wear, Derwent, and Ribble. The uplands support blanket bogs, heather moorland, and species such as red grouse and golden plover. Land use is predominantly grazing for sheep, with pockets of forestry and pasture.

Human use and protection

The Pennines host long-distance routes, most notably the Pennine Way. Protected landscapes include the Peak District National Park in the south and the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The range has a history of mining and quarrying, including lead mining in the Dales and coal mining in parts of Durham and Yorkshire, and remains important for tourism and outdoor recreation. Transport routes such as the Settle-Carlisle railway and major roads cross the range.