Currock Hill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Currock Hill |
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Currock Hill Farm
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 259 m (850 ft) |
| Listing | County Top |
| Geography | |
 Currock Hill
Location in Tyne and Wear
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| Location | Chopwell, England |
| OS grid | NZ 10717 59214 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 88 |
Currock Hill is a special place in Tyne and Wear, England. It's a hill that stands 259 meters (about 850 feet) tall. This makes it the highest point in the entire county! It's also the highest spot in the area called Gateshead.
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What's in a Name?
The name 'Currock' has an interesting history. It comes from an old Celtic word. This word means a "cairn" or a "stack of stones." A cairn is a pile of rocks often used as a landmark. The word is still used a lot in the North East today.
Where is Currock Hill Located?
Currock Hill is found between two villages: Chopwell and Hedley on the Hill. It's located to the west of Newcastle upon Tyne. The hill also sits right on the border with Northumberland.
The hill helps divide the land where water flows. To the north, water runs into the River Tyne. To the south, it flows into the River Derwent.
From the top of Currock Hill, you can see amazing views. You can look west towards the Pennines and the Tyne Valley. To the north, you might spot the Cheviot Hills. And looking east, you can see Tyneside and the North Sea Coast.
Flying High at Currock Hill
Currock Hill has a long history with flying!
World War I Airfield
During the First World War, a part of the hill was used as a special landing spot. It was a relief airfield for No. 36 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps. This squadron was based at Cramlington. Their job was to protect the coast near Newcastle from attacks by German Zeppelins.
Gliding Club Today
More recently, the northern side of Currock Hill has become home to the Northumbria Gliding Club. This club uses the hill for gliding, which is like flying without an engine! They have different types of aircraft. These include gliders that can hold two people and a single-seat Astir CS77. They also have a Piper Pawnee airplane that helps pull the gliders into the air. All these aircraft use the grass runway on the hill.
