Islington Hill

Rising above the Stainmore Gap in the North Pennines' eastern fringes, this modest moorland summit offers a quiet alternative to the busier Dales. The terrain is typical of the high Pennines—expect rough grasses and peaty ground—providing an understated but rewarding ascent with wide-open views across the A66 corridor.

• •The name likely stems from local farmsteads near North Stainmore; in this region, such names often reflect Old English 'tun' (settlement) suffixes common throughout the eastern Pennine foothills.
• •The hill overlooks the historic Stainmore Pass, where the Roman road from Bowes to Brough once climbed through the mist, a route still mirrored by the modern A66.
• •From the summit, walkers can look westward across the Eden Valley towards the Lake District, while the massive, restricted plateau of Mickle Fell dominates the northern horizon.
• •At 492 metres, it is classified as a Tump, meaning it has a drop of at least 30 metres on all sides, making it a distinct, if modest, topographical feature.
• •Despite the name, anyone arriving in search of the Northern Line or a trendy bistro will be disappointed to find only heather, bog, and the occasional startled grouse.