Approaching the summit of Brimmond Hill from the car park.

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Significance: High Point for the City of Aberdeen Council Area
Member of: Scotland County/Unitary Authority High Points, Marilyns
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Cairn-mon-earn
Historic County: Aberdeenshire (of which Ben Macdui is the County Top)
Elevation: 266m
Date climbed: September 30th 2024
Coordinates: 57° 10' 23'' N, 2° 14' 22'' W

Route Start & Finish: Brimmond Hill Car Park, Aberdeen, AB15 8RQ
Route Distance: 2.6 km (1.6 mile)
Route Elevation change: +/- 100m
Subsidiary tops on route: None
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Brimmond Hill Circular
OS Trig Pillar: TP0666 - Brimmond
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
Map: Aberdeen & Banchory Map | Deeside Way | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 406
Links: Wikipedia: (Aberdeen / Brimmond Hill), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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Brimmond Hill is the highest point in the present-day Council Area of Aberdeen within the Historic County of Aberdeenshire. We bagged this one in 2024 on the final day of our annual County Top trip having also visited the high point of Dundee City and the Historic County Tops of Angus and Kincardineshire.

This one can be bagged in a short out and back walk from the Brimmond Hill car park off the Borrowstone Road. It’s a 1.3 km walk the top which is marked by a Trig Pillar, a radio transmitter and a flag pole. It was a little misty when we were there but we still had a good view across to Aberdeen City, the airport and the surrounding hills.

We returned to the car-park via the same route but there’s also a circular option which returns via a path to the south adding around 500m to the total trip.

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Path split on the circular route. Mount Battock in the distance

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Significance: Historic County Top for Kincardineshire
Member of: UK County Tops, Scotland County/Unitary Authority High Points, Marilyns
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Mount Keen 
Elevation: 778m
Date climbed: September 29th 2024
Coordinates: 56° 56' 57'' N, 2° 44' 31'' W

Route Start & Finish: Small parking space near Millden Lodge, Glen Esk
Route Distance: 15 km (9.3 miles)
Route Elevation change: +/- 637m
Subsidiary tops on route: Wester Cairn
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
OS Trig Pillar: TP0677 - Mount Battock
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
Map: Glen Esk and Glen Tanar (OS Explorer Map Series): No. 395
Links: Wikipedia: (Kincardineshire / Mount Battock), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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Mount Battock is the Historic County Top for Kincardineshire and the 27th highest of all of the UK County Tops. We bagged it in 2024 on our annual County Top weekend trip, along with the Historic County Top of Angus and the Council Area High Points of Dundee and Aberdeen.

The start of the route is from a small parking area in Millden just off the minor road that tracks the northern edge of the River North Esk. From here take the lane that heads north from the parking spot, past the old water mill to a path junction at Muir Cottage. Take the right hand path to follow the track that follows the left-hand side of the Burn of Turrett. At the 2km mark you’ll reach another path junction which marks the start of the main circular section of this walk. Take the left hand path to the Trig Pillar and stone shelter at the summit of Mount Battock.

To descend cross over the fence to the south of the summit, using the ladder stile. There’s a path here in places but it’s often hard to track as it passes through very boggy ground. Just keep close to the fence on your left for around 800m until you reach a well-defined track. Follow the track in a south / south westerly direction until it meets the Burn of Turrett. Cross over the burn and you’ll reach the path junction where you previously took a left to start the circular section. From here take a left to retrace the first 2 km of the route back to the start.

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Kincardine Kirkyard

One of the highlights of this year's County Top bagging trip was finding the remains of the lost County Town of Kincardine. This was originally a Scottish Burgh that developed around Kincardine Castle. By 1600, the burgh was in decline, and the county town moved to Stonehaven where it is now.

Our hunt for the lost town of Kincardine began on the way to Aberdeen after our Mount Battock walk. We stopped for a drink in Fettercairn and discovered a plaque in the main square detailing the town's history. The last sentence on the plaque reads: "All that remains of the old County Burgh today is the tiny Kirkyard of St Catherine's Chapel with a solitary tombstone dated 1786"

The site of Kincardine Castle is easy to find with a 5 minute drive to the east of Fettercairn along the B966. Take a left off the B966 to find Castleton Kincardine Farm (AB30 1EX). Turning left into the farm drive you can see the foundations of the old castle on your right. Slightly further down the farm track you'll see a clump of trees in the middle of a field. This is the remains of the old kirkyard.

We parked at the side of the lane and crossed the field to the kirkyard. In late September the field had been ploughed but be careful not to damage crops at other times of the year and, if possible, ask permission from the landowner. The tombstone and remains of the old wall are easy to find in the centre of the trees with not too much foliage to get through.

Links: Fettercairn, Kincardine

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Walking from Glas Maol towards Creag Leacach

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Significance: Historic County Top for Angus
Member of: UK County Tops, Scotland County/Unitary Authority High Points, Munros, Marilyns
Parent Peak: Lochnagar
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Carn a' Coire Boidheach
Elevation: 1,068m
Date climbed: September 28th 2024
Coordinates: 56° 52' 23'' N, 3° 22' 6'' W

Route Start & Finish: Small parking area on A93 Old Military Road, ~3km north of Glenshee Ski Centre
Route Distance: 19.3 km (12 miles)
Route Elevation change: +/- 808m
Subsidiary tops on route: Carn an Tuirc, Cairn of Claise, Creag Leacach
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): The Monega Pass
OS Trig Pillar: TP3372 - Glas Maol
Pubs / Cafes on route: Cafe at Glenshee Ski Centre
Map: Glen Shee & Braemar Map | The Cairnwell & Glas Maol | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL52
Links: Wikipedia: (Angus / Glas Maol), Peakbagger, Hillbagging, Glenshee Ski Centre

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Glas Maol is the Historic County Top for Angus and the 7th highest of all of the UK County Tops. We bagged it in 2024 on our annual County Top weekend trip, along with the Historic County Top of Kincardineshire and the Council Area High Points of Dundee and Aberdeen.

The quickest way to conquer Glas Maol is an out-and-back from the large car park at Glenshee Ski Centre. I always prefer an interesting circular over an out-and-back so we opted for the 4-Munro circuit that I found on the Walk Highlands site. For this we started at a small parking spot around 3 km north of the Ski Centre. If that parking spot is full then park at the Ski Centre and walk to the northern parking at the start of the walk rather than at the end.

From the northern parking spot take the footpath that ascends to Carn an Tuirc in an east/north-easterly direction on the northern side of a small stream. After 1.2km you’ll cross over the stream, continuing to ascend. You’ll reach the summit of the first of the day’s Munros after 2.9km.

Continue along the path, now curving to the south-east, for another 2.6 km to reach the summit of Cairn of Claise. This is the second Munro of the day and, at 1.064m, just 4 metres lower than Glas Maol. Continue along the path, now heading south-west. The route descends slightly then ascends, crossing over the Monega Pass, to the summit of Glas Maol. The high point is marked by a Trig Pillar and a stone shelter large enough for 4 people.

After the Glas Maol summit, continue heading south-west, descending for 1km to the 10 km point in the walk. Here you’ll reach a path junction marked by a large cairn. This is a good point to make a decision to either take a short out-and-back to the 4th Munro, or return straight down to the road. We expected bad weather but, as it turned out, we had a bright, albeit cold, day with good visibility so we decided to bag the 4th Munro.

To reach Creag Leacach continue south for 1.5 km following the ridge line towards the steep ascent to the summit. The path gets very close to a steep drop on the left hand side just ahead of the climb so be extra careful in low visibility. After the summit, retrace your steps back to the large cairn, then continue descending in a north-westerly direction towards the ski-slopes. As you get closer to the slopes, continue along the path as it curves to the west and descend back to A93 Old Military Road at the large Glenshee Ski Centre car park. Take a right onto the road and follow the grass verge back to the starting point.

There’s a cafe at the Ski Centre that’s a great place to stop at the end to celebrate completing the route. Don’t rely on it if you’re out late in the day though. Our excitement to stop there quickly vanished when we arrived there 5 minutes after closing time.

While some of the County Top walks are starting to blur together in our memories, Glas Maol will likely be one that will stand out as a real classic route. The great visibility that we had that day certainly helped but the chance to bag 4 Munros in 1 walk was a big factor too.

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Water Tower at the top of Gallow Hill

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Significance: High Point for the Dundee City Council Area
Member of: Scotland County/Unitary Authority High Points
Parent Peak: King's Seat
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Craigowl Hill
Historic County: Angus (of which Glas Maol is the Historic County Top)
Elevation: 175m
Date climbed: September 27th 2024
Coordinates: 56° 29' 41'' N, 3° 2' 5'' W

Route Start & Finish: Clatto Country Park Visitor Centre, 83 Clatto Country Park, Dundee, DD3 9SE
Route Distance: 1.2 km (>1 mile)
Route Elevation change: +/- 20m
Subsidiary tops on route: None
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
OS Trig Pillar: N/A. Nearest is TP6425 - The Roundie
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
Map: Dundee & Sidlaw Hills Map | River Tay | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 380
Links: Wikipedia: (City of Dundee), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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Gallow Hill is the highest point in the present-day Council Area of Dundee City within the Historic County of Angus. We were in town for the day as a part of our annual Scottish County Top weekend. As a warm-up for bagging Glas Maol, the Angus Historic County Top, on the following day we visited Gallow Hill plus a couple of Trig Pillars in the area.

The summit of Gallow Hill is a short out-and-back from either of the car parks at Clatto Country Park or the Templeton Woods Ranger Station. From either start point walk to the large concrete water tower at the top of the hill. The actual high point isn’t marked so we walked round a few possible contenders. The coordinates from Peakbagger take you to a bend in a path to the south of the tower. This seems unlikely to be the place as it’s not the highest ground and it’s not on a boundary. The water tower base is also unlikely as it’s man-made but we walked a full circuit of the outer fence anyway. Most likely seemed to be a small knoll on the east of the tower. Whichever point was the highest, we felt satisfied that we’d bagged it and returned back to the car.

There’s no Trig Pillar at the high point but The Roundie, nearby at 159m elevation is worth a visit. We also visited Dundee Law earlier in the day. This is 1m lower than Gallow Hill, but a more satisfying visit as it has a Trig Pillar and a great view over the city and the Tay Estuary.

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The West Midlands, a Ceremonial County in the heart of England, was formed ass result of a series of political and administrative changes that took place over centuries. Before the creation of the West Midlands, the region was divided into Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire, The Local Government Act of 1974 marked a significant turning point in the history of the West Midlands. This legislation abolished the existing county boundaries and created a new county, the West Midlands. Today the 7 sub-divisions of the West Midlands are Metropolitan Boroughs.

For county-top hill-baggers, the region is, be honest, not very interesting. There’s a few good views but they’re mostly drive-bys in areas you’re not likely to go to unless you lived there or had an obscure hill-bagging obsession. If you’re in the latter camp, here’s a guide to the high points of the West Midlands. Click on the Blog Post link for each summit shown below for details on each.

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Birmingham

Highest Point: Rednall Hill North Top, 250m
Historic County of High Point: Worcestershire (of which Worcestershire Beacon is the County Top)
OS Trig Pillar: N/A, nearest is TP4411 - Lickey Hill
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia (Birmingham), Peakbagger, Hillbagging
Flag shown is the official flag of Birmingham

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Coventry

Highest Point: Corley Moor, 167m
Historic County of High Point: Warwickshire (of which Ebrington Hill is the County Top)
OS Trig Pillar: N/A, nearest is TP2413 - Corley Resr
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia (Coventry), Peakbagger, Hillbagging
Flag shown is the official flag of Coventry

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Dudley

Highest Point: Cawney Hill, 251m
Historic County of High Point: Staffordshire (of which Cheeks Hill is the County Top)
OS Trig Pillar: N/A, nearest is TP1060 - Barrow Hill
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia (Dudley), Peakbagger, Hillbagging
Flag shown is the work of Andy Underscore

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Sandwell

Highest Point: Turner’s Hill, 271m
Historic County of High Point: Staffordshire (of which Cheeks Hill is the County Top)
OS Trig Pillar: N/A, nearest is TP6743 - Warley Resr
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia (Sandwell, Turner’s Hill), Peakbagger, Hillbagging
Flag shown is the work of Andy Underscore

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Solihull

Highest Point: Meigh’s Wood, 185m
Historic County of High Point: Warwickshire (of which Ebrington Hill is the County Top)
OS Trig Pillar: N/A, nearest is TP3975 - Hollyberry End
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia (Solihull), Peakbagger, Hillbagging
Flag shown is the work of jet_man1990

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Walsall

Highest Point: Barr Beacon, 227m
Historic County of High Point: Staffordshire (of which Cheeks Hill is the County Top)
OS Trig Pillar: TP1049 - Barr Beacon Resr
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia (Walsall, Barr Beacon), Peakbagger, Hillbagging
Flag shown is the work of Andy Underscore

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Wolverhampton

Highest Point: Sedgley Beacon, 235m
Historic County of High Point: Staffordshire (of which Cheeks Hill is the County Top)
OS Trig Pillar: N/A, nearest is TP5243 - Orton Hill
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia (Wolverhampton, Beacon Hill), Peakbagger, Hillbagging
Flag shown is the work of Andy Underscore

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The Metropolitan Boroughs of West Midlands, with the highest points grouped by Historical County.
Note that not all of each Metropolitan Borough was fully inside each Historical County shown here.

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View to Birmingham from Turner’s Hill

Significance: Metropolitan Borough High Point for Sandwell
Parent Peak: Walton Hill
Nearest Higher Neighbour: The Four Stones
Historic County: Staffordshire (of which Cheeks Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 271m
Date climbed: July 27th 2024
Coordinates: 52° 29' 46'' N, 2° 2' 57'' W
OS Trig Pillar: N/A, nearest is TP6743 - Warley Resr

Route Start / End: Dudley Golf Club, Turner's Hill, Rowley Regis, B65 9DP
Route Distance: 1.2 km (0.75 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 6m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Map: Wolverhampton & Dudley Map | Stourbridge & Kidderminster | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 219
Links: Wikipedia (Sandwell, Turner’s Hill), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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At 271m elevation, Turner’s Hill is the highest point in the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell and the West Midlands Ceremonial county. We’d had an afternoon of bagging the boring high points of other West Midlands UAs and saved the “big one” to the end. We parked at Dudley Golf Club although it’s probably for members only. It was late in the afternoon and a party was kicking off in the clubhouse so no-one seemed to notice.

From the Golf Club walk south down Turner’s Hill road until you get to the gates of the transmitter station. This is the furthest you can get to the summit on a public right of way. We managed to get a bit closer though, by re-tracing our steps back towards the club house and taking the footpath on the right. This passes the north edge of a field of horses where we found a hole in the fence where we could cross the field to get right up to the transmitter. It’s still not the absolute highest point but close enough for us. There’s also good views from the field.

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Significance: Metropolitan Borough High Point for Dudley
Parent Peak: Walton Hill
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Turner’s Hill
Historic County: Staffordshire (of which Cheeks Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 251m
Date climbed: July 27th 2024
Coordinates: 52° 30' 19'' N, 2° 4' 14'' W
OS Trig Pillar: N/A, nearest is TP1060 - Barrow Hill

Route Start / End: On-street parking at Shirley Road, Dudley, DY2 7DH
Route Distance: <1 km (<1 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 5m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Map: Wolverhampton & Dudley Map | Stourbridge & Kidderminster | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 219
Links: Wikipedia (Dudley), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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Cawney Hill is the high point of the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, within the Historic County of Staffordshire and Ceremonial County of West Midlands.

This was the dullest of an afternoon of dull high points in the West Midlands. It was the quickest one too as there’s free on-street parking a few metres from the “summit”. From the corner of Bennett’s Hill (road) and Shirley Road take follow the steps up the hill then take the footpath on the left heading north west. After a couple of metres take a right onto a small path that leads to a bench. Apparently this is the high point of Dudley but there appeared to be (inaccessible) higher ground further to east. Note that Hillbagging posts have the high point at the fence of the Cawney Hill transmitter compound at the end of East Street. Alternatively there’s the access road to the transmitter off Hilltop Road. All of these are at 251m elevation and, given the dullness of the area, I didn’t feel the need to bag all the possible points.

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Also known as: Sedgley Beacon - East Slope
Significance: Metropolitan Borough High Point for Wolverhampton
Parent Peak: Walton Hill
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Cawney Hill
Historic County: Staffordshire (of which Cheeks Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 235m
Date climbed: July 27th 2024
Coordinates: 52° 32' 51'' N, 2° 6' 51'' W
OS Trig Pillar: N/A, nearest is TP5243 - Orton Hill

Route Start / End: Parking spot near 62 Beacon Ln, Sedgley, Dudley DY3 1NA
Route Distance: <1 km (<1 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 6m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Limestone Walk
Map: Wolverhampton & Dudley Map | Stourbridge & Kidderminster | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 219
Links: Wikipedia (Wolverhampton, Beacon Hill), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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Sedgley Beacon is the high point of the Metropolitan Borough of Wolverhampton, within the Historic County of Staffordshire and Ceremonial County of West Midlands.

This is definitely one for the completists as you’re highly unlikely to visit this place unless you live there or are high-point bagging. We noted the line in the Wikipedia article: “By 2024, the area was being plagued with anti social behaviour, vandalism and car thefts.” and decided not to hang around. You can drive almost to Beacon Tower, however you need to park at the gates at the end of Beacon Lane and take the footpath for the final few metres. However, bagging the Beacon doesn’t mean that you’ve got the high point of Wolverhampton as the border with Dudley is on the other side of the tower. You can’t get to the actual Wolverhampton high point but you can get close if you walk or drive around the corner to the #38 Monument Lane, a small cul-de-sac off the main Monument Lane. There’s some metal railings at the end of the road where you could imagine a nice view.

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Barr Beacon War Memorial

Significance: Metropolitan Borough High Point for Walsall
Parent Peak: Walton Hill
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Turner’s Hill
Historic County: Staffordshire (of which Cheeks Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 227m
Date climbed: July 27th 2024
Coordinates: 52° 34' 24'' N, 1° 54' 40'' W

Route Start / End: Parking at Beacon Road, Aldridge, Walsall, WS9 0QW
Route Distance: 0.8 km (0.5miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 4m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Beacon Way
OS Trig Pillar: TP1049 - Barr Beacon Resr
Map: Birmingham Map | Walsall, Solihull & Redditch | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 220
Links: Wikipedia (Walsall, Barr Beacon), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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Barr Beacon is the high point of the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall, within the Historic County of Staffordshire and Ceremonial County of West Midlands.

After our Wrekin walk earlier in the day we got talking to a guy in a pub where we were having lunch. He overheard our conversation about the day’s hill-bagging and offered us some advice. For Barr Beacon his main advice was “don’t go there unless you want to have your car stolen” … and especially don’t go there at night. We couldn’t really tell if he was joking or not but we were definitely going to bag it and had no intention of going there at night anyway.

Barr Beacon is a high, narrow ridge with views to the east and west. There’s a large car park at the top and the summit, near the War Memorial, can be done in a few minutes. We got there early afternoon on a Saturday and, although there were some dodgy looking cars, there were also families around having picnics.

The OS Trig Pillar is a little further north from the high point and in private land protected by a metal fence. There’s a spot in the fence with a post missing to the right of the road where it curves down the hill. If you can find that you can squeeze through and climb through the hedge into the field to bag the pillar. It’s fairly unpleasant as you need to climb over some fly-tipped debris and avoid the tree that has been used as a toilet.

Having bagged the high point and Tig Pillar we were happy to see that our cars were still there.

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Significance: National Landscape High Point for Cannock Chase
Parent Peak: Walton Hill
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Cawney Hill
Historic County: Staffordshire (of which Cheeks Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 242m
Date climbed: July 27th 2024
Coordinates: 52° 42' 49'' N, 1° 56' 15'' W

Route Start / End: Parking area for Castle Ring Scheduled Ancient Monument Holly Lane, WS15 4RN
Route Distance: >1 km (>1 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 10m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): E2 Hiking Trail Birmingham
Map: Cannock Chase & Chasewater Map | Stafford, Rugeley & Cannock | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 244
Links: Wikipedia (Cannock Chase, Castle Ring), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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Castle Ring is an Iron Age hill fort and the highest point of the Cannock Chase National Landscape. I’ve heard that there’s a lot of great walking in Cannock Chase but that will need to wait for another day as we were on a mission to bag a lot of high points that day.

We did this as a quick drive-by with a 15 minute walk from the free car park. According to the coordinates in peakbagger the Cannock Chase high point is right in the centre of the ring. The man-made outer circle is higher so we walked round the top of it to the high point on the western edge. You can take a faint path through the vegetation to cross the centre, bag the high point and exit on the south-eastern side.

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View to the toposcope and transmitter from the Trig Pillar

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Significance: Unitary Authority High Point for Telford and The Wrekin
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Caer Caradoc Hill
Historic County: Shropshire (of which Brown Clee Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 407m
Date climbed: July 27th 2024
Coordinates: 52° 40' 9'' N, 2° 33' 5'' W

Route Start / End: The Wrekin Forest Glen Car Park, Little Wenlock, Telford, TF6 5AL
Route Distance: 7.2 km (4.5 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 307m
Subsidiary tops on route: Little Hill (232m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Telford T50, Shropshire Way
OS Trig Pillar: TP0712 - Wrekin
Map: Telford, Ironbridge & The Wrekin Map | Ironbridge Gorge | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 242
Links: Wikipedia (Telford and The Wrekin, The Wrekin), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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The Wrekin was the literal high point of a day of bagging High Points of the West Midlands. The rest were quick drive-bys in obscure and often dodgy areas so we made the most of the Wrekin trip to make it a circular rather than an out-and-back.

Like most people we started at The Wrekin Forest Glen Car Park. It gets full quickly in the summer but we were lucky and got a space. The annoying thing was that payment is only by credit card or via an app that I’d never seen before. The card machine wasn’t working and there was no mobile signal so we ended up having to pay on-line half-way up the ascent.

With parking drama out of the way we took the shortest route to the summit on the Telford 50 trail. We were there on a clear day so we got a great view at the top across to Wales on the western side and Staffordshire on the east. The summit has an OS trig pillar, a toposcope, a transmitter tower and the remains of an Iron Age fill fort.

From the top we continued walking south-west for another 1 km down to Little Hill. It was marked on the map so we thought we’d check it out but there was little to mark it and no view. Continuing another 20m we took a left onto a footpath, then another left to pick up a path that lead us back to the car-park on a lower level.

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The English county of Sussex holds a unique historical term that can raise eyebrows: the "Rapes." Unlike modern definitions, the term in Sussex refers to a historical administrative division. The origin of the term "Rape" for these regions is shrouded in mystery. Theories range from a possible link to the Old English word "raep," meaning "harvest," to a connection with the Danish word "rape," signifying "district."

The Historic County of Sussex has six Rapes: Arundel, Bramber, Chichester, Hastings, Lewes, and Pevensey. Established sometime before the Norman Conquest of 1066, these Rapes likely predate the current county borders. Each Rape contained smaller subdivisions called "Hundreds," forming the backbone of local administration for centuries. Some historians believe the Rapes might have originated as defensive units, with each Rape centered around a strategically placed castle. This theory aligns with the arrival of the Normans, who are known to have built fortifications across England.

The Rapes continued to be used for administrative purposes for centuries, but their importance gradually declined. By the 19th century, their role had largely been superseded by more modern administrative structures. Today, the Rapes of Sussex remain a fascinating relic of the county's past. Though no longer serving an administrative function, they hold cultural significance and continue to spark curiosity.

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Rape of Chichester

Rapal Town: Chichester
Norman Castle: Chichester Castle
Highest Point: Black Down, 280 metres, is also the Historic County Top of Sussex, the Present-Day County Top of West Sussex and the highest point in the South Downs National Park.
OS Trig Pillar: TP1443 - Blackdown
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia, Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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Rape of Arundel

Rapal Town: Arundel
Norman Castle: Arundel Castle
Highest Point: Glatting Beacon, 245 metres
OS Trig Pillar: TP1358 - Bignor Beacon
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia, Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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Rape of Bramber

Rapal Town: Bramber
Norman Castle: Bramber Castle
Highest Point: Chanctonbury Hill, 242 metres
OS Trig Pillar: TP2110 - Chanctonbury Ring
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia, Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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Rape of Lewes

Rapal Town: Lewes
Norman Castle: Lewes Castle
Highest Point: Ditchling Beacon, 248 metres, is the Present-Day County Top of East Sussex.
OS Trig Pillar: TP0760 - Ditchling
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia, Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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Rape of Pevensey

Rapal Town: Pevensey
Norman Castle: Pevensey Castle
Highest Point: Crowborough Beacon, 242 metres, is also the high point of the High Weald National Landscape.
OS Trig Pillar: TP2630 - Crowborough
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia, Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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Rape of Hastings

Rapal Town: Hastings
Norman Castle: Hastings Castle
Highest Point: Brightling Down, 197 metres
OS Trig Pillar: N/A. Closest is TP4140 - Jurys Gut
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia, Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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Sources

• Rape (county subdivision): Wikipedia

• The Rapes of Sussex. British County Flags

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View to Glatting Beacon from the South Downs Way

Also known as: Bignor Hill
Significance: Highest point in the Rape of Arundel
Parent Peak: Butser Hill
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Littleton Down
Present Day County: West Sussex (of which Black Down is the County Top)
Elevation: 245m
Date climbed: July 20th 2024
Coordinates: 50° 55' N, 0° 38' W

Route Start / End: South Downs Way Parking, Chichester, RH20 1PH
Route Distance: 2.8 km (1.7 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 37m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): South Downs Way
OS Trig Pillar: TP1358 - Bignor Beacon
Map: Arundel & Pulborough Map | Worthing & Bognor Regis | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL10
Links: Wikipedia (Rape of Arundel, Bignor Hill), National Trust Slindon Estate, Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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Like Chanctonbury Hill which we visited earlier in the day, I could have bagged this one on an earlier trip along the South Downs Way. It’s easily accessible as a small diversion from the National Trail and hard to miss (look for the big transmitter in the trees).

We bagged it on a short circular walk from the Bignor Hill South Downs Way Car Park. From the parking, follow the South Downs Way in a westerly direction for ~280m then take a right hand path ascending towards the big transmitter. Near the top, take the service track to the transmitter where you’ll find the Trig Pillar lurking in the undergrowth.

Either return the way you came or return to the main path that you were on, take 2 lefts and you’re back on the South Downs Way. Take another left to follow the Trail back to the car park.

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View to Chanctonbury Ring from the Trig Pillar

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Also known as: Chanctonbury Ring
Significance: Highest point in the Rape of Bramber
Member of: Marilyns
Parent Peak: Ditchling Beacon
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Ditchling Beacon
Present Day County: West Sussex (of which Black Down is the County Top)
Elevation: 242m
Date climbed: July 20th 2024
Coordinates: 50° 53' 48'' N, 0° 22' 54'' W

Route Start / End: Chanctonbury Ring Car Park, Chanctonbury Ring Road, Steyning, BN44 3DR
Route Distance: 4.3 km (2.7 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 154m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched: South Downs Way,
OS Trig Pillar: TP2110 - Chanctonbury Ring
Map: Arundel & Pulborough Map | Worthing & Bognor Regis | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL10
Links: Wikipedia (Rape of Bramber, Chanctonbury Hill, Chanctonbury Ring), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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I very nearly bagged Chanctonbury Ring a few years back while cycling the South Downs Way. We stopped to visit the nearby Trig Pillar but I didn’t realise that the Rape of Bramber High Point was so close. So, on a day of bagging my remaining Sussex high points, Mark and I revisited for a short, steep circular walk to visit both the high point and the Trig Pillar.

To follow the same route start at Chanctonbury Ring Car Park and follow Chanctonbury Ring Road in a southerly direction. Continue south as the road becomes a path that leads up to the South Downs Way. We took a short cut up a less-used, steeper path through the woods. It actually didn’t save much time as a guy that we saw taking the longer route arrived at the top at more or less the same time as we did.

Whichever route you take, turn right onto the South Downs Way and head towards the clump of trees that’s the site of the Iron Age hillfort. The South Downs Way goes round the trees on their southern side so you’ll need to leave the trail to follow a smaller path through the trees. The high point isn’t marked but easy to find. From the high point continue west out of the trees to briefly rejoin the South Downs Way before cutting off again to the Trig Pillar.

To return follow the fence to the north of the Trig Pillar back towards Chanctonbury Ring to find a gate and a path that leads back down the hill in a north-westerly direction. At the bottom of the hill take a right on another path that leads back to Chantonbury Ring Road near to the Car Park.

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View to the south-west from Crowborough Beacon Golf Club

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Significance: Highest point in the Rape of Pevensey, High Point of High Weald National Landscape
Member of: Marilyns
Parent Peak: Ditchling Beacon
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Ditchling Beacon
Present Day County: East Sussex (of which Ditchling Beacon is the County Top)
Elevation: 242m
Date climbed: July 20th 2024
Coordinates: 51° 3' 17'' N, 0° 9' 15'' E

Route Start / End: Croft Road Car Park, Pine Grove, Crowborough, TN6 1AR
Route Distance: 3.9 km (2.4 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 47m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched: None
OS Trig Pillar: TP2630 - Crowborough
Map: Ashdown Forest Map | Royal Tunbridge Wells, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath & Crowborough | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 135
Links: Wikipedia (Rape of Pevensey, Crowborough, High Weald), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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I had high hopes for Crowborough as it has “Beacon” in it’s name as is the high point of both the Rape of Pevensey and The High Weald. It turns out that there’s not much to see. The high point is an unmarked spot outside a house called Deep Dene on Warren Road. It can easily be bagged as a drive-by but we chose to park in Crowborough village centre and bag it as a part of a short circular walk.

To follow the same route leave Croft Road Car Park and head north to join the A26 Beacon Road. Take a left onto the A26 and walk in a south-westerly direction for ~700m to the water reservoir opposite Beacon Road West. Here you’ll find the OS Trig Pillar next to a small brick building. Continue south for ~25m to reach the high point at Warren Road.

Continue further south along the A26 to a footpath at the edge of the woods at 2 km into the walk. This is a point marked in Peakbagger as Crowborough South Slope, the High Point of the High Weald. Although Crowborough is completely within The High Weald, the town isn’t part of the National Landscape, so this is technically the highest point rather than the spot at Deep Dene.

Take a left onto South View Road to find the best and only panoramic view of the walk across Crowborough Golf Course. Continue along South view road, then onto Croft Road to return to the Car Park

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Brightling Obelisk

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Significance:  Highest point in the Rape of Hastings
Parent Peak: Crowborough Beacon
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Crowborough Beacon
Present Day County: East Sussex (of which Ditchling Beacon is the County Top)
Elevation: 197m
Date climbed: July 20th 2024
Coordinates: 50° 58' N, 0° 23' E

Route Start / End: Small parking spot at junction of Willingford Lane and Mill Lane
Route Distance: 0.6 km (0.4 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 3m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched: None
OS Trig Pillar: TP4140 - Jurys Gut (not at the high point, but ~1 km to the south)
Map: Hastings & Bexhill Map | Battle & Robertsbridge | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 124
Links: Wikipedia (Rape of Hastings, Brightling, Brightling Park), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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The high point of the Rape of Hastings can be found on the edge of the private Brightling Park, currently home to a racehorse training company. The summit is hard to miss as it’s marked by a large obelisk called The Brightling Needle. If you don’t mind a bit of minor trespassing its a 600m out and back walk from a small parking space near the junction of Willingford Lane and Mill Lane.

If you’re no up for tresspassing then don’t hop over the gate into the small wooded area at the south eastern end of Willingford Lane. Don’t follow the track through the woods and hop over another fence into the field, then follow the track up to the Obelisk. Instead, you can see the Obelisk through the fence further down Willingford Lane. Alternatively you can ask permission from the landowner to access the land.

While you’re in the area it’s worth visiting Jury’s Gut, an OS Trig Pillar located 1km to the south on a path next to a kiln-shaped folly called The Sugarloaf.

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Significance: Chichester Harbour National Landscape High Points
Member of: N/A
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Bow Hill
Historic County: Hampshire (of which Pilot Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 9m
Date “climbed”: 1st June 2024
Coordinates (Alpudram Airfield): 50° 48' 49'' N, 0° 48' 37'' W
Coordinates (Bosham Boathouse): 50° 50' 17'' N, 0° 50' 10'' W
Map: Chichester Map | South Harting & Selsey | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL08
Links: Wikipedia (Chichester Harbour, RAF Appledram), Peakbagger (Apuldram, Bosham Boathouse)

Chichester Harbour is one of the smallest of the National Landscapes. It also has the lowest high point at 9m. The highest point isn’t obvious with at least 2 points showing a spot height of 9m. Here’s both….

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Alpudram Airfield

This spot is on a small lane connecting Alpuldram and Chichester Marina. The coordinates take you to a layby with an information sign describing the old Apuldram Airfield.

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Bosham Boathouse

This one is on the A259 Main Road between Fishbourne and Bosham at the junction with Chequer Lane. The most interesting point is the old wooden boat converted into a flower bed outside the Bosham Boathouse B&B.

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Hanging Hill summit is by the transmitter at Avon Fire and Rescue Service Southwest Command Development Centre

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Start & Finish: Layby near Sir Bevil Grenville's Monument, Cotswold Way, Bath, BA1 9DD
Distance: 2.2 km (1.4 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 28m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Cotswolds Way
Other routes touched (cycle): N/A
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
Map: Bristol & Bath Map | Keynsham & Marshfield | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 155
Links: Bevil Granville, Sir Bevil Grenville's Monument, Battle of Lansdowne

Significance: High Point for the Unitary Authority of South Gloucestershire
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Beacon Batch
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Niver Hill
Historic County: Gloucestershire (of which Cleeve Hill is the County Top).
Elevation: 237m
Date “climbed”: December 30th 2023
Coordinates: 51° 25' 51'' N, 2° 24' 31'' W
OS Trig Pillar: TP3599 - Hanging Hill
Links: Wikipedia (South Gloucestershire), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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Hanging Hill is the High Point of the Unitary Authority of South Gloucestershire which was created after the abolition of the Ceremonial County of Avon. Having bagged 2 of of the 4 high points of the ex-Avon Unitary Authorities on a trip to the Mendips I was keen to get this one on the way back home. The 4th one, Dundry Hill, will have to wait for a future trip.

This high point can be bagged either on a short out-and-back or, as I did, a short circular. There’s free but limited parking off for the Sir Bevil Grenville's Monument on the road leading north from Landsdown. There were a lot of cars even on a cold winter day when when we arrived.

From the parking space follow the Cotswolds Way in a westerly direction along Beeches Cottages Road to the Avon Fire and Rescue Centre. The actual highpoint is in the grounds of the Fire and Rescue Centre, presumably under the large transmitter. The Centre was closed when I was there but you can get very close to it as the Cotswolds Way runs along side the perimeter fence.

Continue along the Cotswolds Way for another 500m to reach the Hanging Hill Trig Pillar. Along the way you’ll pass flags and information boards marking the site of the Battle of Lansdowne in 1643. After the Trig Pillar continue along the Cotswolds Way as it takes a sharp turn to the left now heading in a south/south-easterly direction. After another 500m you’ll reach the end of the field and the edge of some woods where you can leave the Cotswolds Way following a path through the woods back towards the main road. Take the path that cuts diagonally across the field heading north back to the parking area.

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Trig Pillar at the summit of Beacon Batch

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The County of Avon existed as a Ceremonial County between 1974 and 1996. It was comprised of parts of the former Historic Counties of Gloucestershire and Somerset and then, on abolition, split into 4 new Unitary Authorities. The high point of the County of Avon was Niver Hill North Top at 264m which is now the high point of the Unitary Authority of Bath and North East Somerset.

This post features 3 high points closely located to Blagdon Lake in the Mendips AONB:

• Niver Hill: the high point of the former Ceremonial County of Avon and the present-day Unitary Authority of Bath and North East Somerset

• Blagdon Hill Farm: the high point of the present-day Unitary Authority of North Somerset

• Beacon Batch: the high point of the Mendips AONB

All three high points could be reached on a long walk combining the Limestone Link, Mendips Way, Monarch’s Way and The Butcombe Trail, however we split it into 2 shorter walks with a 10 minute drive between them. First up was a short circular walk taking in Beacon Batch and Blagdon Hill.

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Beacon Batch and Blagdon Hill Farm Circular Walk

Start & Finish: Burrington Ham Car Park, Burrington Combe, Bristol, BS40 7TZ
Distance: 7.1 km (4.4 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 149m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Limestone Link, The Butcombe Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
Map: Cheddar Gorge & Mendip Hills West Map | Wells & Glastonbury | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 141
Links: Mendips Hills National Landscape, Mendip Hills (Wikipedia), Burrington Ham (Camp)

The obvious place to start this walk is the small parking area at Burrnington Ham on the north side of Burrington Combe road. If you’re really short on time and not bothered about Balgdon Hill Farm you can bag Beacon Batch on a 2.4km out-and-back from the parking area.

For the full 7.1 km circular walk take the footpath on the north-east side of the parking area that follows the Limestone Link to the east connecting with Luvers Lane. At the end of Luvers Lane take a right onto Two Trees (lane). Continue along Two Trees, heading south-east for around 600m and take a left onto Leaze Lane. The Blagdon Hill Farm High Point is 250m along this lane. There’s nothing to mark the summit but you get great views to the north over Blagdon Lake.

Continue east along Leaze Lane to the entrance of the farm and take the path on the right that heads south along field edges to the B3134 Broad Road. Take a right to follow Broad Road for ~300 metres then carefully cross over to the footpath on the south side of the road. Be very careful on this bit as it’s a busy road with no pavement but there is a small grass margin to avoid being on the road with the cars.

Follow the path as it zig-zags through fields in a southerly direction for just under 1 km to meet Rains Batch Road and the Butcombe Trail. Take a right and follow the road to the Wireless Station. Continue along the Butcombe Trail for another 1 km to the edge of the open space surrounding the Beacon Batch summit. Leave the Butcombe Trail to take a path heading north, north-west to the Trig Pillar marking the Mendips high point.

After the Trig Pillar take a northerly path the descend back down to the car park.

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Blagdon Hill Farm

Significance: High Point for the Unitary Authority of North Somerset
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Beacon Batch
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Beacon Batch
Historic County: Somerset (of which Dunkery Beacon is the County Top). Was also part of the former Ceremonial County of Avon (of which Niver Hill was the County Top)
Elevation: 242m
Date “climbed”: December 28th 2023
Coordinates: 51° 19' 1'' N, 2° 42' 47'' W
Links: Wikipedia (North Somerset), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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Beacon Batch

Also known as: Black Down
Significance: Mendips National Landscape High Point
Member of: Marilyns
Parent Peak: The Wrekin (according to Wikipedia although it seems unlikely)
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Lydeard Hill
Historic County: Somerset (of which Dunkery Beacon is the County Top)
Elevation: 325m
Date “climbed”: December 28th 2023
Coordinates: 51° 18' 44'' N, 2° 44' 27'' W
OS Trig Pillar: TP1472 - Blagdon
Links: Wikipedia (Mendip Hills, Black Down), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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Niver Hill North Top Out-and-back Walk

Start & Finish: Forestry England East Harptree Car Park, East Harptree, BS40 6DA
Distance: 2 km (1.2 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 27m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Monarch’s Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
Map: Cheddar Gorge & Mendip Hills West Map | Wells & Glastonbury | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 141

Following the Beacon Batch and Blagdon Hill Farm walk it’s a 10 minute drive to the start of this shorter walk starting from the Harptree Car Park. From the car park entrance take a left onto Smitham Hill, then first right onto Nettwood Lane. Continue along Nettwood Lane until the farm entrance, then along the footpath, following the Monarch’s Way, along the edge of the field. The unmarked high point is in the south-eastern corner of this first field at the start of a row of trees. The boundary between Bath and Northeast Somerset and the County of Somerset runs along the field edge that you have just followed then takes a right angle following the hedge-line north towards the lake.

Retrace your steps back to the car park.

Niver Hill North Top

Significance: High Point for the Unitary Authority of Bath and North East Somerset
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Niver Hill
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Niver Hill
Historic County: Somerset (of which Dunkery Beacon is the County Top)
Elevation: 264m
Date “climbed”: December 28th 2023
Coordinates: 51° 16' 56'' N, 2° 37' 31'' W
Links: Wikipedia (Bath and North East Somerset), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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Significance: Parent Peak of Betsom’s Hill (Kent County Top) and Westerham Heights (Greater London High Point), Highest Point of the North Downs
Member of: Marylins
Parent Peak: Leith Hill
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Leith Hill
Historic County: Surrey
Elevation: 270m
Date “climbed”: December 3rd 2023
Coordinates: 51° 16' 44'' N, 0° 0' 45'' W
OS Trig Pillar: TP1536 - Botley Hill
Map: Sevenoaks & Tonbridge Map | Royal Tunbridge Wells & Westerham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 147
Links:
- Wikipedia (Botley Hill, North Downs)
- Peakbagger (at Water Tower, at Trig Pillar)
- Hillbagging (at Water Tower, at Trig Pillar)

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I had only discovered Botley Hill recently when researching County Tops and routes in the area. It’s the high point of the North Downs, but doesn’t make it into any lists as the North Downs isn’t an AONB, National Park or similar. It’s taller than the nearby high points of Kent and Greater London, but is in Surrey so misses out to the 5m higher Leith Hill for the County Top. It’s a must-do though for high-point completists and more more interesting than both Betsom’s Hill and Westerham Heights, the high points of Kent and Greater London.

The Botley Hill summit is next to a water tower and transmitter and easily accessible by road. It’s also on the Vanguard Way, 1km north of its junction with the North Downs Way so can be bagged on a diversion from both. We bagged it on the same day as walking a section of the North Downs Way but drove to the Botley Hill summit after completing the walk.

The water tower summit isn’t the only significant point on the hill. There’s an OS Trig Pillar approximately 1 km to the east which was once considered to be the hill summit but is actually ~1m lower. We also visited this one as a drive-by after our North Downs Way walk.

Source: Legislation.gov.uk

For the absolute completists there’s also Botley Hill Northeast Slope. Peter Stone’s Peakbagger entry from March 2012 describes it as: “A 255 m slope feature inside a Reptile Zoo or behind adjacent Waylands House. Got as close as I could for a bona fide claim. However, perhaps a bit pointless and of historic interest only as this place is no longer the highpoint of Greater London since a boundary change ceded it to Surrey in 1993. Greater London's high point is now Westerham Heights, 245 m, a few km to the E and very close to Kent's top” .

The transfer between Bromley in Greater London and Surrey was actually on April 1st 1994, although the legislation had 1993 in the name. More information can be found in this article on legislation.gov.uk. The map to the right shows the southern tip of Bromley, previously the Greater London High Point, which moved to Surrey with this legislation.

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The Botley Hill Family

Botley Hill is the Parent Peak to:
- Botley Hill Trig Pillar and Botley Hill Northeast Slope
- Betsom’s Hill, the County Top of Kent
- Toy's Hill, the High Point of the Kent Downs AONB
- Westerham Heights, the High Point of Greater London and the London Borough of Bromley
- All Greater London Borough High Points south of the Thames plus Heston The Vale (Hounslow)

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