Lake District
Banks
311M
1020FT
About Banks
This modest grassy summit rises above the coastal village of Hyton, offering a quiet alternative to the popular paths of nearby Black Combe. Classified as a Synge and a Tump, its gentle slopes provide a transition from the Irish Sea lowlands to the Southern Fells, with views stretching toward the Duddon Estuary.
Key Statistics
Rank
762nd Highest in Region
Parent Range
Southern Fells
Prominence
?
66
Nearest Town
Torver
Geology
Banks is made of alternating layers of sandstone and fine, deep-sea mudstone. These sediments form the solid foundation you are trekking across today.
Find It
Latitude
54.3361°N
Longitude
3.1283°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is a simple topographical descriptor derived from the Middle English 'banke', referring to the way the land rises sharply from the coastal flats of the Irish Sea toward the higher fells.
- •It is categorised as a 'Synge' summit, a classification created by Tim Synge for Lake District peaks with at least 1,000 feet of elevation and a distinctive 50-foot drop on all sides.
- •The summit offers a specific vantage point overlooking the Ravenglass Estuary to the north, where the Esk, Mite, and Irt rivers converge before entering the sea.
- •Often overshadowed by its massive neighbour, Black Combe, Banks provides a much clearer view of the coastal railway line and the dunes of the Eskmeals firing range.
- •At just over 1,000 feet, it holds the distinction of being a mountain by the narrowest of margins, though the local sheep remain entirely unimpressed by its official status.