The Cheviot

Mountain Prominent hill in England's Northumberland with sweeping moorland

A rounded summit on the England-Scotland border within Northumberland National Park; hillwalkers come for long ridge routes, peat moorland and remote pastoral terrain.

Main image

The Cheviot is the highest hill in the Cheviot Hills and a prominent upland feature in Northumberland, England, lying within Northumberland National Park. Its summit reaches about 815 metres above sea level.

A broad, rounded summit plateau and heath-covered slopes characterise the mountain, with typical upland features such as peat, heather and grassy hollows. It is a popular objective for hillwalkers using established paths from surrounding valleys and car parks.

The Cheviot is an extinct volcanic dome, which gives the summit its broad form and geology that differs from surrounding sandstone hills. Walking routes of varying length and difficulty approach the summit from multiple directions.

The hill sits near the England-Scotland border in a sparsely populated upland area, with access from nearby towns and villages in Northumberland and marked trails across the national park.

  • Elevation and status: Summit elevation is about 815 metres, making it the highest point in the Cheviot Hills and a prominent feature in Northumberland National Park.
  • Geology: The mountain is an extinct volcano, giving it a distinctive rounded summit and thick peat and heathland on the plateau.

What to See #

  • Summit plateau: The rounded summit and surrounding heather-covered moorland forming the Cheviot plateau, which is the mountain's broad, grassy top and walking terrain.
  • Approach routes and lower slopes: Lower slopes and boundary walls that mark historic sheep-farming land and provide access routes for hillwalkers, including paths from Wooler and surrounding glens.
The Cheviot
The Cheviot, Northumberland National Park / Cheviot Hills, near the England-Scotland border
55.4785, -2.1454

How to Get to The Cheviot #

Access from several trailheads in Northumberland or the Scottish Borders. The village of Wooler and the town of Coldstream are common bases; drive to the appropriate car parks and follow marked walking trails. Check local guidance for access during lambing season.

Tips for Visiting The Cheviot #

  • The hill is best hiked from the Scottish Borders side for easier ascent routes; the path can be boggy in wet weather.
  • Carry an OS map (UK Ordnance Survey) or GPS-some sections are open moorland without clear tracks.

Best Time to Visit The Cheviot #

Late spring through early autumn provides the most reliable walking conditions; always expect wind and changeable hill weather.

Summer
Jun-Aug · 8-18°C (46-64°F)
Longest daylight and best walking conditions, though midges can be an annoyance.
Spring/Autumn
Apr-May, Sep-Oct · 2-14°C (36-57°F)
Quieter on trails and vivid colours in heather season.

Weather & Climate near The Cheviot #

Climate

The Cheviot's climate is classified as Subpolar Oceanic - Subpolar Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 15°C. Heavy rainfall (2069 mm/year), wettest in January.

Best Time to Visit
JulyMayJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
25°
Warmest Month
-6°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -3°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (241 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.

20 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Freezing
C
Temperature
-3°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

241 mm
Rainfall
12.0 m/s
Wind
Windy
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.6h daylight

February

February is the coldest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -3°C. Significant rainfall (169 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.

24 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Freezing
C
Temperature
-3°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

169 mm
Rainfall
11.5 m/s
Wind
Windy
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.4h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -2°C. Significant rainfall (184 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.

32 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

184 mm
Rainfall
10.5 m/s
Wind
Windy
0.3
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (124 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

38 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

124 mm
Rainfall
8.6 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
14.0h daylight

May

May is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (122 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

48 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

122 mm
Rainfall
7.9 m/s
Wind
Breezy
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
16.0h daylight

June

June is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (115 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

115 mm
Rainfall
7.4 m/s
Wind
Breezy
1.1
UV Index
High
17.1h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (127 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

127 mm
Rainfall
7.0 m/s
Wind
Breezy
1.1
UV Index
High
16.6h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (150 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

44 Poor

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

150 mm
Rainfall
7.2 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
14.8h daylight

September

September is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (175 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

175 mm
Rainfall
8.4 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
12.6h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Heavy rain (222 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.

32 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

222 mm
Rainfall
10.1 m/s
Wind
Windy
0.2
UV Index
Low
10.3h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -1°C. Heavy rain (220 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.

30 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

220 mm
Rainfall
10.9 m/s
Wind
Windy
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.1h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -2°C. Heavy rain (220 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.

30 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

220 mm
Rainfall
10.7 m/s
Wind
Windy
0.0
UV Index
Low
6.9h daylight

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