Peak District
Beacon Hill
305M
1001FT
About Beacon Hill
Rising just above the 1,000-foot mark, this modest gritstone outlier of the Forest of Bowland overlooks the Ribble Valley. Situated above the village of Grindleton, it offers a quieter perspective than its famous neighbour, Pendle Hill, providing an accessible climb through upland pastures with clear views of the winding River Ribble below.
Key Statistics
Rank
417th Highest in Peak District
Parent Range
Peak District
Prominence
?
42m
Nearest Town
Grindleton
Geology
Beneath your boots, Beacon Hill is built from layers of mudstone and sandstone. These rocks belong to the Bowland Shale and Pendle Grit formations.
Classifications
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SD753480
Latitude
53.9283°N
Longitude
2.3765°W
Did You Know?
- •The name stems from its historical role as a signaling point; this site was part of a chain of fire beacons used to spread warnings of invasion or unrest across the Ribble Valley and into the heart of Lancashire.
- •The summit provides an exceptional vantage point for observing Pendle Hill; while many walkers flock to Pendle itself, Beacon Hill offers a superior profile view of its neighbour’s dramatic 'Big End' from across the valley.
- •Looking south and west, the view takes in the long, wooded ridge of Longridge Fell, while to the north the terrain rises steadily into the wilder, emptier gritstone plateaus of the Forest of Bowland core.
- •Standing at precisely 1,001 feet, the hill exerts just enough effort to claim status as a thousand-footer, though it seems remarkably unconcerned with the extra inch required to get there.