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List of Ethels
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Kinder Scout plateau - County top of Derbyshire
Black Hill - County top of West Yorkshire
Shining Tor - County top of Cheshire
High Stones - County top of South Yorkshire
Black Chew Head - County top of Greater Manchester
Cheeks Hill - County top of Staffordshire
Shutlingsloe
Parkhouse Hill
Thorpe Cloud

The Ethels are 95 hills in the Peak District of England, mostly over 400 m (1,300 ft) above sea level but including various prominent lower hills. The Ethels are a tribute to Ethel Haythornthwaite who pioneered the establishment of the Peak District as Britain's first national park in 1951.[1]

The Peak District and South Yorkshire branch of the CPRE countryside charity announced The Ethels in May 2021. The Ethels were devised in early 2021 by CPRE volunteer Doug Colton, who then built the Ethel Ready smartphone app for hill bagging.[2][3] The Ethels are recognised by the Database of British and Irish Hills, and are identified as "E" in the hill descriptions.[4]

Most of the Ethels lie within the Peak District National Park, but others lie outside its borders. The list is sorted by height above sea level. Marilyns are marked in boldface.[5][6][7]

Name Height (m) Prominence (m) Grid reference County
Kinder Scout 636 497 SK084875 Derbyshire
Bleaklow 633 128 SK094960 Derbyshire
Higher Shelf Stones 621 15 SK089948 Derbyshire
Grindslow Knoll 601 15 SK110868 Derbyshire
Black Hill 582 165 SE078046 Derbyshire / West Yorkshire
Brown Knoll 569 36 SK083851 Derbyshire
Shining Tor 559 236 SJ994737 Cheshire / Derbyshire
Axe Edge Moor 551 84 SK035706 Derbyshire
High Stones (Howden Edge) 550 62 SK187943 South Yorkshire
Lord's Seat (Rushup Edge) 550 62 SK111834 Derbyshire
Whetstone Ridge 547 40 SK001708 Cheshire
Margery Hill 546 19 SK189956 South Yorkshire
Featherbed Top 544 32 SK090920 Derbyshire
Mill Hill 544 32 SK061904 Derbyshire
Black Chew Head 542 35 SE056019 Greater Manchester
Featherbed Moss 541 10 SE046011 Derbyshire
Back Tor (Derwent Edge) 538 67 SK197909 Derbyshire / South Yorkshire
Alport Moor 535 24 SK120946 Derbyshire
White Low 530 23 SE086021 Derbyshire
Britland Edge Hill 523 20 SE106026 Derbyshire / West Yorkshire
Cheeks Hill 520 10 SK026699 Derbyshire / Staffordshire
Cats Tor 518 35 SJ995759 Cheshire / Derbyshire
Lost Lad 518 10 SK193912 Derbyshire / South Yorkshire
Mam Tor 517 62 SK127836 Derbyshire
Oliver Hill 513 45 SK027675 Staffordshire
Black Edge (Combs Moss) 507 99 SK062770 Derbyshire
Shutlingsloe 506 134 SJ976695 Cheshire
The Roaches 505 120 SK001638 Staffordshire
Combs Head 503 41 SK041757 Derbyshire
Burbage Edge (Goyt's Moss) 500 25 SK029732 Derbyshire
West Nab 500 50 SE076088 West Yorkshire
Dead Edge End 499 25 SE124017 Derbyshire / South Yorkshire
Ashway Moss 497 20 SE033046 Greater Manchester
South Head 494 44 SK060845 Derbyshire
Merryton Low 489 54 SK041610 Staffordshire
Slitherstone Hill 477 70 SK123819 Derbyshire
Snailsden Pike End 477 20 SE132034 South Yorkshire
Lose Hill 476 76 SK153854 Derbyshire
Mount Famine 473 44 SK056849 Derbyshire
High Edge 472 64 SK063688 Derbyshire
Bradwell Moor 471 50 SK132801 Derbyshire
Eldon Hill 470 20 SK115811 Derbyshire
Alphin Pike 469 10 SE002028 Greater Manchester
Win Hill 462 144 SK186850 Derbyshire
Ramshaw Rocks 460 32 SK020624 Staffordshire
High Neb (Stanage Edge) 458 103 SK227853 Derbyshire
Chinley Churn 457 127 SK036843 Derbyshire
White Path Moss 457 34 SK251830 Derbyshire
Foxlow Edge 452 35 SK004756 Derbyshire
Hollins Hill 451 62 SK060679 Derbyshire
Chelmorton Low 446 63 SK114706 Derbyshire
Sough Top (Taddington Moor) 438 20 SK133709 Derbyshire
Stanedge Pole 438 24 SK247844 Derbyshire / South Yorkshire
Corbar Hill 437 20 SK051743 Derbyshire
Higger Tor 434 15 SK257819 Derbyshire
Grin Low 430 45 SK054718 Derbyshire
Sir William Hill (Eyam Moor) 429 122 SK215778 Derbyshire
Chrome Hill 425 45 SK070673 Derbyshire
High Wheeldon 422 25 SK100660 Derbyshire
Burton Bole (Shatton Moor) 417 48 SK195807 Derbyshire
Durham Edge (Abney Moor) 416 40 SK180794 Derbyshire
Sponds Hill 413 72 SJ970802 Cheshire
Cown Edge 411 85 SK021920 Derbyshire
Black Hill (Whaley Moor) 410 105 SJ989821 Cheshire
Gautries Hill 410 85 SK099810 Derbyshire
Hen Cloud 410 60 SK008615 Staffordshire
Croker Hill 402 98 SJ933677 Cheshire
Revidge 400 40 SK077599 Staffordshire
Aleck Low 398 53 SK173595 Derbyshire
Longstone Moor 395 110 SK189733 Derbyshire
Pilsbury Hill 395 40 SK121639 Derbyshire
Wolfscote Hill 388 100 SK136583 Derbyshire
Gun 385 168 SJ970615 Staffordshire
Crook Hill 382 84 SK183872 Derbyshire
Carder Low 380 58 SK130626 Derbyshire
Harborough Rocks 379 65 SK243553 Derbyshire
Lantern Pike 373 88 SK025882 Derbyshire
Minninglow 372 58 SK209573 Derbyshire
Wetton Hill 372 55 SK104563 Staffordshire
Harland Edge (Beeley Moor) 371 88 SK293687 Derbyshire
Eccles Pike 370 132 SK035812 Derbyshire
Wardlow Hay Cop 370 47 SK179740 Derbyshire
Ecton Hill 369 82 SK100580 Staffordshire
Tissington Hill 369 95 SK151526 Derbyshire
Blakelow Hill (Bonsall Moor) 367 69 SK255594 Derbyshire
Musden Low 361 63 SK118500 Staffordshire
Parkhouse Hill 360 35 SK079669 Derbyshire
Bole Hill (Burton Moor) 356 50 SK184676 Derbyshire
The Cloud 343 170 SJ904636 Cheshire / Staffordshire
Fin Cop 327 90 SK175709 Derbyshire
Stanton Moor 323 108 SK245629 Derbyshire
Bolehill (Cromford Moor) 323 105 SK294554 Derbyshire
Lees Moor 304 142 SK249674 Derbyshire
Thorpe Cloud 287 79 SK151510 Derbyshire
Harthill Moor 272 100 SK210627 Derbyshire

The Ethels featured on BBC North West TV broadcasts on 27 May 2021 and 7 Sep 2021.[8][9] Clare Balding presented '95 Ethels in the Peak District' on the Ramblings programme on BBC Radio 4 on 10 Mar 2022.[10] The Ethels were featured in the Peak District episode of Countryfile on BBC One on 15 Dec 2024.[11]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

List of Ethels

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from Grokipedia
The Ethels is a curated list of 95 prominent hills, tors, edges, and landmarks in England's , compiled in 2021 to honor the legacy of environmental campaigner Ethel Haythornthwaite. Ethel Haythornthwaite (1894–1986), a Sheffield-based activist and poet, founded the local branch of the () in 1924 and played a pivotal role in advocating for the protection of the 's landscapes, culminating in its designation as Britain's first in 1951. Her legacy was further highlighted by a 2024 biography by and a episode featuring the Ethels on 15 December 2024. The list was created by volunteer Doug Colton and announced by the and branch of the organization in May 2021, aiming to promote exploration and appreciation of the park's diverse terrain through hiking. Spanning , , , , , and , the Ethels encompass a variety of features, including four summits exceeding 600 meters— (636 m), Bleaklow Head (633 m), Higher Shelf Stones (621 m), and Grindslow Knoll (601 m)—as well as most hills over 400 meters and select lower but culturally or visually significant sites like and . These selections highlight the park's peat moors, gritstone edges, limestone dales, and millstone outcrops, with some summits featuring trig points or requiring access permissions on private land. The Ethels serve as a modern hill-listing challenge for walkers, similar to established British categorizations like the Deweys or Marilyns, but uniquely tailored to celebrate the Peak District's heritage and encourage sustainable outdoor activity across its 95 entries, which can be completed via 45 mapped routes ranging from short ascents to full-day traverses.

Overview

Definition and Purpose

The Ethels comprise a curated list of 95 hills, tors, edges, and trig points located within the of . These features primarily consist of summits exceeding 400 meters in elevation, supplemented by select prominent lower hills to ensure comprehensive coverage of notable landmarks in the region. The list encompasses diverse geological formations, from gritstone moors to limestone dales, providing a structured selection for recreational hill-walking. Initiated as a hill-bagging challenge, the Ethels aim to encourage , foster appreciation of the Peak District's natural landscapes, and promote sustainable outdoor exploration. By designating these 95 sites, the list inspires participants to engage with the area's and scenic beauty while supporting environmental conservation efforts. Among the entries are 5 Marilyns—hills with at least 150 meters of prominence—which are typically bolded in official listings for emphasis. The Ethels are formally recognized in the Database of British and Irish Hills, where qualifying summits are denoted with the code "E" to distinguish them within broader hill classifications. The name "Ethels" is derived directly from the first name of Ethel Haythornthwaite, a pioneering environmentalist whose advocacy was instrumental in the establishment of the in 1951. This nomenclature serves as a tribute to her lifelong commitment to countryside preservation, aligning the challenge with her legacy of protecting accessible natural spaces for public enjoyment.

Geographical Scope

All Ethels are situated within or near the in central , primarily spanning , with extensions into , , , , and . The , part of the Pennine uplands, encompasses a diverse landscape that defines the geographical context of these hills. The distribution of the 95 Ethels is concentrated in two distinct regions: the northern , characterized by moorlands and edges, and the southern , featuring limestone plateaus and dales. With the majority of the hills located within the boundaries of the and a small number on its periphery, the list captures the park's varied topography, including expansive peat moors, rocky outcrops, and elevated ridges typical of the . It includes four summits exceeding 600 meters: (636 m), Bleaklow Head (633 m), Higher Shelf Stones (621 m), and Grindslow Knoll (601 m). Elevations range from 272 m at Harthill Moor to 636 m at , highlighting the moderate but scenic relief of the area. For navigation and exploration, the Ethels are documented using maps, which provide detailed grid references, alongside GPS waypoints available through resources like the Ethel Ready app for the complete set.

History

Ethel Haythornthwaite's Legacy

Ethel Mary Bassett Haythornthwaite (née Ward), born on 18 January 1894 in , was a pioneering English environmental activist whose efforts were instrumental in securing public access to the countryside and establishing the as Britain's first . After losing her first husband in , she channeled her energies into conservation, founding the Sheffield Association for the Protection of Rural Scenery on 7 May 1924, an organization that evolved into the Peak District and branch by 1927, where she served as secretary until 1960. Her work emphasized the therapeutic value of nature for urban dwellers, drawing from her own experiences in Sheffield's surrounding landscapes. Active from the 1920s through the 1950s, Haythornthwaite advocated vigorously for ' rights and to moorlands, supporting campaigns amid growing tensions between urban walkers and landowners during the , including the era of the 1932 Mass Trespass on that galvanized national attention to these issues. In 1945, she became the sole woman appointed to the government's Hobhouse Committee on , contributing decisively to its recommendations for protected areas and public access, which underpinned the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act of 1949. She furthered this advocacy, helping to drive the designation of the on 17 April 1951. For her contributions, she received an MBE in 1947. Haythornthwaite's lifelong commitment to and equitable countryside access left an enduring impact, culminating in her death on 11 April 1986 at age 92. Posthumously honored for her role in pioneering conservation, the List of Ethels—a catalog of 95 prominent hills in the —was named in her tribute, symbolizing the landscapes she fought to preserve for public enjoyment. In 2024, Peak District and commissioned a biography, by , further recognizing her legacy and its connection to initiatives like the Ethels.

Creation and Launch of the List

The List of Ethels was devised by Doug Colton, a hill-walking enthusiast and volunteer for and (PDSY), during the of 2020-2021. Motivated by the need for an accessible post-pandemic walking challenge in the , Colton drew inspiration from Ethel Haythornthwaite's pioneering conservation work while creating a modern equivalent to established British hill lists such as the Deweys and Marilyns. In collaboration with PDSY, he compiled the list of 95 hills to promote outdoor activity, raise awareness of the region's landscapes, and honor Haythornthwaite's legacy in securing public access to the countryside. The list was officially launched on May 7, 2021, through a PDSY announcement that highlighted its role in encouraging hill walking amid recovering tourism. Colton personally developed the accompanying "Ethel Ready" smartphone app, released shortly thereafter, which provides GPS waypoints, interactive maps based on , progress tracking logs, and descriptions of each hill to facilitate completions. The app's features, including dated logging and offline capabilities, were designed to make the challenge approachable for walkers of varying experience levels, further supporting 's goals of countryside protection through increased public engagement. Promotion efforts began immediately, with the Ethels featured on BBC North West TV on May 27, 2021, introducing the list to a broader audience as a new Peak District equivalent to national hill-bagging traditions. This was followed by in-depth coverage on BBC Radio 4's "Ramblings" program in a March 2022 episode, where host Clare Balding explored the list's origins and Haythornthwaite's influence during a walk up Stanage Edge. A subsequent highlight came in the Peak District-focused episode of BBC One's "Countryfile" on December 15, 2024, which showcased completers and the list's growing popularity in fostering regional walking communities. These media appearances helped position the Ethels as a timely initiative to sustain post-lockdown interest in the area's approximately 13 million annual visitors.

Inclusion Criteria

Height and Prominence Requirements

The core requirement for inclusion in the List of Ethels is a of at least 400 above , ensuring the hills represent significant elevations within the landscape. All 5 Marilyns in the —hills with at least 150 of prominence—are automatically included and specially highlighted, as their greater relative underscores their prominence within the Ethel criteria. Elevations and prominence values are derived from mapping data and cross-verified through the Database of British and (DoBIH), providing authoritative and standardized measurements for the list.

Selection Process and Exceptions

The selection process for the List of Ethels was led by Doug Colton, a volunteer with the and branch of , who devised the compilation in early as a to Ethel Haythornthwaite. Colton identified candidate hills within and near the by evaluating factors including elevation, , geographical location, public accessibility, and distinctive character to ensure the list highlighted notable summits worthy of recognition. This manual review drew on established topographic resources and cross-referenced existing British hill classifications, such as the HuMPs (hills with at least 100m prominence) and Tumps (hills with at least 30m drop), to verify qualifications and avoid overlap with non- focused lists. While the core criteria emphasize hills over 400m in , exceptions were made for 27 prominent summits below this threshold, selected for their visual, cultural, or despite lower , such as isolated tors or edges that provide substantial local relief and independent character. Examples include (287m), included for its striking position overlooking and its role as an accessible introductory hill. These deviations ensured the list captured a broader representation of the Peak District's diverse landscapes, totaling 68 hills over 400m and the 27 lower exceptions, with non-qualifying peaks excluded after evaluation. Colton incorporated data from surveys and maps for precise and position verification, aligning with methodologies used in the Database of British and Irish Hills. The finalized list of 95 Ethels received endorsement from , which announced it in May 2021, and has been integrated into hill-bagging platforms for community tracking. Since its launch, the list has remained static with no planned additions or revisions, preserving its focus on established summits, though the accompanying Ethel Ready app supports user engagement through photo submissions and completion logging.

Catalog of Ethels

List Sorted by Elevation

The list of Ethels sorted by elevation arranges the 95 hills in descending order of summit height, offering hill-baggers a structured approach to tackling the challenge from the highest plateaus to the more modest but prominent lower summits. This ordering emphasizes the Peak District's varied topography, where the top elevations exceed 600 m and represent the region's most iconic and demanding terrain, often involving peat bogs, edges, and expansive views. The highest Ethel, at 636 m in (OS grid SK 084 875, prominence 496 m), is a Marilyn and a key entry in the Database of British and Irish Hills (DoBIH), serving as a flagship for the list. Close behind is Bleaklow Head at 633 m in (SK 094 960, prominence 128 m), followed by Higher Shelf Stones at 621 m in (SK 089 948, prominence 15 m) and Grindslow Knoll at 601 m in (SK 110 868, prominence 15 m). These top entries, along with Black Hill at 582 m in (SE 078 047, prominence 165 m), illustrate the scale of the higher Ethels, which dominate the northern and western moors. The following table lists the top 20 Ethels in descending order of , with columns for name, , prominence, OS grid , and county. The full list of 95 Ethels is available on the Peakbagger website. Marilyns (hills with prominence ≥150 m) are bolded, and all are DoBIH entries, primarily summits ≥400 m or lower hills with significant cultural or visual prominence. This table serves as a for the Ethel challenge, where partial completions such as the top 10 (focusing on elevations over 580 m) or top 50 (covering most hills above 450 m) allow for progressive goals, often combining multiple summits in single outings across the moors.
NameHeight (m)Prominence (m)OS Grid ReferenceCounty
636496SK 084 875
Bleaklow Head633128SK 094 960
Higher Shelf Stones62115SK 089 948
Grindslow Knoll60115SK 110 868
Black Hill582165SE 078 047
Brown Knoll56932SK 084 851
Shining Tor559152SJ 995 738
Axe Edge Moor55134SK 035 706
High Stones55040SK 188 944
Lord's Seat55035SK 113 835
Margery Hill54633SK 189 957
Featherbed Top54428SK 091 921
Mill Hill54429SK 061 904
Black Chew Head54245SE 056 020
Featherbed Moss54125SE 047 012
Back Tor53832SK 198 910
Alport Moor53524SK 120 946
White Low53027SE 087 022
Britland Edge Hill52326SE 106 026
Cheeks Hill52030SK 027 700

Regional and County Breakdown

The Ethels exhibit a pronounced geographical concentration within the , reflecting its core location in while extending into adjacent counties. Approximately 87% of the 95 Ethels—82 hills—are situated in , underscoring the county's dominance in the region's upland landscape. accounts for 8 Ethels, primarily along the southern fringes near the , including notable outcrops like The Roaches and Hen Cloud. hosts 3 Ethels, focused on the western Goyt Valley, such as Shining Tor, the county's highest point. includes 2 Ethels in the eastern moors, exemplified by Win Hill near . This county breakdown illustrates the Ethels' alignment with the 's administrative boundaries, with sparse representation outside due to the list's emphasis on the national park's heartland. To highlight distribution patterns, the following table summarizes the county allocations with representative examples, including heights and Ordnance Survey grid references:
CountyCountExamples (Name, Height in m, Grid Ref)
Derbyshire82Kinder Scout (636, SK 083 875); Mam Tor (517, SK 138 835); Lose Hill (476, SK 157 853)
Staffordshire8The Roaches (505, SK 003 612); Ecton Hill (371, SK 103 564); Ramshaw Rocks (470, SK 012 590)
Cheshire3Shining Tor (559, SJ 997 725); Shutlingsloe (506, SJ 976 682)
South Yorkshire2Win Hill (463, SK 197 860); Margery Hill (546, SK 189 957)
These examples draw from the comprehensive Ethel catalog, avoiding full enumeration to emphasize spatial clustering rather than exhaustive inventory. The Ethels further divide into the Dark Peak and White Peak regions, delineating the Peak District's contrasting geologies and topographies. The Dark Peak, encompassing the northern gritstone-dominated moors above approximately 300 m, includes over 60 Ethels and features dense clusters such as the Kinder Plateau, where high-elevation summits like Kinder Scout, Bleaklow Head (633 m, SK 094 960), and Higher Shelf Stones (621 m, SK 089 948) form interconnected plateaus accessible via expansive peatland traverses. This region, stretching from the High Peak to the South Pennines, represents about two-thirds of the Ethels and is marked by rugged, erosion-prone terrain that poses navigational challenges in poor visibility. The White Peak, in the southern limestone dales below the Dark Peak boundary—roughly aligned with the A515 and A6 roads near Buxton—contains more than 30 Ethels, characterized by undulating karst landscapes with dry valleys and prominent edges; key examples include Chrome Hill (443 m, SK 077 667), Parkhouse Hill (319 m, SK 076 660), and Thorpe Cloud (287 m, SK 174 587) near Dovedale. The boundary notes a sharp ecological shift from acidic gritstone soils and blanket bogs in the north to calcareous grasslands and scree slopes in the south, influencing hill profiles and biodiversity. Overall, this regional split reveals 63% of Ethels in the Dark Peak's higher, wilder expanses versus 37% in the White Peak's more varied, lower-relief areas, with clusters evident around the Kinder Plateau (multiple summits within 5 km) and the Limestone Way corridor. Accessibility across these regions benefits from established trail networks, enabling efficient bagging without isolated ascents. In the , the and long-distance paths like the Boundary Walk connect northern clusters, supporting multi-Ethel days amid open access land under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act. The leverages limestone dales trails, including the and High Peak Trails, for gentler approaches to southern hills, often linking to canal towpaths for options. These networks promote regional exploration, with over 90% of Ethels reachable via public footpaths, though parking and management remain key considerations in high-traffic areas.

References

  1. https://www.walkingenglishman.com/ethels.html
  2. https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/ticklists/the_ethels_of_the_peak_district-5094
  3. https://www.cpre.org.uk/discover/seven-facts-about-ethel-haythornthwaite-one-of-cpres-earliest-campaigners/
  4. https://www.cprepdsy.org.uk/ethel-haythornthwaite/
  5. https://www.amazon.com/Ethel-biography-countryside-pioneer-Haythornthwaite/dp/183981229X
  6. https://www.peakbagger.com/List.aspx?lid=5535&cid=19677
  7. https://peakdistrictwalks.net/peak-district-ethels-list/
  8. https://www.cprepdsy.org.uk/the-ethels/
  9. https://www.hills-database.co.uk/news.html
  10. https://www.outdoor-girl.com/blog/peak-district-ethels
  11. https://peakdistrictfocus.co.uk/peak-district-ethels/
  12. https://www.cprepdsy.org.uk/news/our-peak-district-hill-walking-challenge-walking-the-95-ethels/
  13. https://williamhickie.co.uk/ethels
  14. http://shefflibraries.blogspot.com/2020/07/ethel-haythornthwaite-and-protection-of.html
  15. https://www.cprepdsy.org.uk/news/celebrating-ethel-haythornthwaite-and-100-years-of-countryside-protection/
  16. https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/learning-about/news/70-years-of-the-peak-district-national-park/70-people-70-years/70-people-for-70-years-ethel-haythornthwaite
  17. https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/magazines/derbyshire/23994481.ethel-bagging-peak-district-national-park/
  18. https://www.cprepdsy.org.uk/news/helen-mort-celebrates-legacy-of-ethel-haythornthwaite/
  19. https://www.grough.co.uk/magazine/2021/05/07/charity-unveils-new-list-for-peakbaggers-the-ethels
  20. https://www.cprepdsy.org.uk/news/meet-the-maker-of-the-ethel-ready-app/
  21. https://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/hill-list/ethels/
  22. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.colton.ethel_ready
  23. https://pnfs.org.uk/newsletter/2106/12.htm
  24. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00154h6
  25. https://www.hills-database.co.uk/
  26. https://www.rhsoc.uk/marilyns/
  27. https://www.hills-database.co.uk/database_notes.html
  28. https://www.contours.co.uk/the-peak-district-ethels
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