When were Britain's mountains actually formed?

Most of Britain's mountains were formed during the Caledonian Orogeny, roughly 500 to 400 million years ago, when separate landmasses collided to form what's now Scotland, England and Wales. Some southern uplands came later during the Variscan Orogeny around 300 million years ago.

Why are Britain's mountains so much smaller than the Alps?

They're not smaller – they're older. Britain's mountains were once much taller, but they've been eroding for hundreds of millions of years. The Alps are relatively young by comparison, so they haven't had as much time to wear down.

What was the Iapetus Ocean?

It was an ancient ocean that once separated Scotland from England and Wales when they were on different continents. It closed around 500 to 400 million years ago when these landmasses collided, creating much of Britain's mountain backbone.

How the Hills Got Here

How Britain’s Mountains Were Made

Britain’s mountains were created by ancient plate collisions, volcanic activity and movement along faults. Millions of years of weathering, rivers and ice then shaped them into the ranges and isolated hills hikers see today.

27 August 20266 min read