Pennines facts for kids
The Pennines are a mountain range in England. Often said to be the "backbone of England", they form an unbroken range stretching from the Peak District in the Midlands, through the Yorkshire Dales, parts of Greater Manchester, the West Pennine Moors of Lancashire and Cumbrian Fells to the Cheviot Hills on the Scottish border. Their total length is about 250 mi (402 km).
Etymology
The name Pennines is believed to come from the Celtic pennioroches, meaning "hill", although the earliest written reference to the name dates only from the 18th century.
Altitude and size
The mountains are not very tall and are often called hills. The highest is Cross Fell in eastern Cumbria, at 893 m (2,930 ft). Other main mountain peaks include Mickle Fell 788 m (2,585 ft), Whernside 736 m (2,415 ft), Ingleborough 723 m (2,372 ft), Pen-y-ghent 693 m (2,274 ft), and Kinder Scout 636 m (2,087 ft).
The landscape of the Pennines are mostly upland areas of high moorland. The Pennines make up the main watershed in northern England, dividing the eastern and western parts of the country. The rivers Eden, Ribble, and Mersey flow west towards the Irish Sea. On the other side of the watershed, the rivers Tyne, Tees, Swale, Calder, Aire, Don, and Trent flow east to the North Sea.
Images for kids
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Northern England and adjoining areas, showing the general extent of the Pennines
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Stanage Edge in the Peak District
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Croasdale Fell, Forest of Bowland
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Kinder Downfall, a waterfall on Kinder Scout, Dark Peak
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Limestone scenery: Thor's Cave, Staffordshire, from the Manifold Way. Limestone is common in the White Peak and Yorkshire Dales, making those areas distinct from other parts of the Pennines.
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A prehistoric settlement on Harkerside Moor in Swaledale
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The Pennines are traversed by several passes, mostly aligned with major rivers.
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The eastern portal of Woodhead 3 tunnel shortly before opening in 1954
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Photograph from 1953, showing the western portals of Woodhead 1 and 2 tunnels in the background, with Woodhead 3 under construction in the foreground
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The National Parks of England and Wales; two include areas of the Pennines, those marked as 7 and 1
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England, Wales and Northern Ireland AONBs. The Pennines host three, with a large one protecting the North Pennines.
