Peak District
Caton Moor
361M
1184FT
About Caton Moor
Rising above the Lune Valley near Lancaster, this modest Tump is defined by its industrial character. Crowned by the spinning blades of one of the UK’s oldest commercial wind farms, the moor offers an easy, service-track ascent with wide-ranging views across Morecambe Bay towards the Lake District fells.
Key Statistics
Rank
302nd Highest in Peak District
Parent Range
The Peak District
Prominence
?
127
Nearest Town
Lancaster
Geology
The path beneath your feet is built from layers of sandstone and siltstone, which form the solid rocky foundation of this moorland landscape.
Classifications
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SD583639
Latitude
54.0693°N
Longitude
2.6387°W
Did You Know?
- •The name Caton derives from the Old English 'Catta's tun,' referring to a farmstead belonging to an individual named Catta. The moor has historically served as vital common grazing land for the settlement in the valley below.
- •Caton Moor was the site of one of the first commercial wind farms in the UK, established in 1992. The original turbines were later replaced in a 're-powering' project, which significantly increased energy output using fewer, larger masts.
- •The summit offers a clear perspective of the transition between English landscapes; to the west lies the Irish Sea and Morecambe Bay, while to the east, the gritstone plateaus of the Forest of Bowland begin to rise.
- •On clear days, the view to the north provides a sharp profile of the Southern Lake District fells, with the distinctive shapes of Coniston Old Man and Helvellyn visible across the expanse of the bay.
- •While walkers usually head for the hills in search of peace and quiet, the constant, rhythmic 'whoosh' of the turbines ensures you’re never truly alone with your thoughts on this particular summit.