Northumberland
Hungry Law
501M
1644FT
About Hungry Law
Sitting right on the Anglo-Scottish border, this grassy hump in the Cheviots offers a solitary experience far from the Kielder crowds. Its rounded summit is marked by the border fence, providing a bleak but atmospheric vantage point over remote Upper Coquetdale and the Roman remains at Chew Green.
Key Statistics
Rank
37th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Cheviots
Prominence
?
74m
Nearest Town
Northumberland
Geology
The fell is composed of the Ballagan Formation, featuring layers of sandstone, siltstone, and lime-rich rocks that create the ground beneath your feet.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NT747061
Latitude
55.3483°N
Longitude
2.4005°W
Did You Know?
- •The name 'Law' comes from the Old English hlāw, used throughout the Borders to denote a prominent rounded hill, while 'Hungry' is a traditional local indicator of poor-quality grazing land with thin, unproductive soil.
- •The summit is bisected by the border fence, following a boundary line formally established between the kingdoms of England and Scotland in the 13th century.
- •Looking south from the slopes, the intricate earthworks of Chew Green are visible; this was a major Roman staging post on Dere Street, used by legions marching into the Scottish Lowlands.
- •The high ground offers a clear perspective of the central Cheviot massif to the east, specifically the broad dome of The Cheviot and the long, high ridge of Windygyle.
- •While the name suggests a lack of sustenance, the local midges rarely seem to suffer from a lack of appetite when they find a stationary walker on the summit.