Peak District
Bull Hill
418M
1371FT
About Bull Hill
Rising above the village of Holcombe, this Tump is the highest point of Holcombe Moor. The terrain is classic Pennine peat, often heavy underfoot but rewarding for those seeking quietude beyond the nearby Peel Tower. From the summit trig, the industrial Irwell Valley contrasts sharply with the wilder slopes of Pendle Hill.
Key Statistics
Rank
149th Highest in Peak District
Parent Range
The Peak District
Prominence
?
143.7
Nearest Town
Holcombe
Geology
You’re hiking across layers of sturdy sandstone, siltstone, and mudstone. These gritty rocks form the solid foundation of Bull Hill beneath your feet.
Classifications
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SD766187
Latitude
53.6643°N
Longitude
2.3556°W
Did You Know?
- •The name likely stems from the Old English 'bulla', describing a rounded or swelling landform, though it more simply reflects the hill's long history as common grazing land for cattle.
- •Just south of the summit lies the site of the Pilgrims' Cross; while the current stone was placed in 1902, records show a cross has stood here since at least 1176 to guide travellers between Whalley Abbey and Manchester.
- •Large sections of the hill are used by the Ministry of Defence as the Holcombe Moor Training Area; hikers must observe the red flags which signal that live firing exercises are in progress.
- •The summit trig pillar provides a vantage point for an exceptional geographical contrast, looking down over the dense Manchester skyline to the south and the remote, sprawling West Pennine Moors to the north.
- •The summit trig pillar is frequently the only dry island in a sea of moss; during a wet winter, the surrounding peat hags have a well-earned reputation for claiming both boots and dignity.