Nottinghamshires Highest Point

Asserting the True Highest Point in Nottinghamshire

Huthwaite is historically recognised for siting the counties highest point. Admittedly, no mountainous tops ever seeking public attraction, but one simply recorded reliable fact assuring residents some individualistic interest between similar past coal mining areas, plus a unique pride of place above all Nottinghamshire.

This natural hillspur does indeed seem offering descriptive name for our original Huthwaite settlement. So many mythical folklores have been voiced exaggerating its potential importance, that its good proving at least one historic accuracy was taught in our highest sited school under motto "Aim High". Found clearly mapped by ordnance covering Hucknall under Huthwaite back in 1884, the natural summit measured 668.8 feet above sea level. Topping steep sides of Strawberry Bank gave it's delicious sounding reference, generally used covering the whole area above even after adding separately addressed residential streets.

Following mass pit closures some applauded Silverhills man made efforts claimed at setting monumental new heights. Given second place or some rewording, a plaque mounted 2003 by Ashfield District Council asserted Strawberry Bank remained the highest natural point in Nottinghamshire when measuring 201 meters above sea level. Forgivingly dismissing all those nieve in believing an unofficial plaque residentially mounted atop Kirkby's Shoulder of Mutton Hill, that did go to prove nonetheless that advertising works.

Over recent years however, disputing claims started getting ever more complicated. Unfortunate intrigue on finding our monumental Huthwaite plaque vandalised by its mysterious removal, possibly seen as a trophy. One Whiteborough mound startles all beliefs achieving recent claims for hitting Nottinghamshire top spot even on the BBC website. This apparently results from hobbyists seeking out county high points. The trusty local BBC or OS map makers cannot surely add existing confusions between County and District Council levels. Independent accuracy of all these disputing measurements demanded comparable verification.

Mobile and armed with the latest motorcycle sat nav, I accepted the following mission. Better just clarify a few points about this personal study. Firstly, I knew the roads without a sat nav. The Zumo 660 unit helpfully also displays elevation. I cannot validate its measuring methods, standards or accuracy to present any scientific exactness in basic measurements. My simple aim using this equipments ability is taking uniform readings on the same day to achieve an unbiased comparison check. And it revealed a surprising result.

Shoulder 0f Mutton Hill - Kirkby

Motorists passed this privately placed sign since perhaps 1980's. Thus the Kirkby landmark has become widely regarded holding a true 1904 record measured at 609 feet. Clearly however, the busy Derby Road rises eastward following a ridge, and while presenting a distant southern view the highest reading I consistently achieved was near Beacon Farm at 182 meters. Geological layout seemed generally similar our ridged Sutton Road, upon where Huthwaite Cemetery probably sits slightly above Kirkby's loftiest extreme.

Newton Wood Lane - Whiteborough

Startling news for this latest repeated claim, especially if its largely considered being outside the county borders. Nevertheless some regard any one of Whiteborough mounds as Notts. highest point. Edging Derbyshires borderline backed by a mast and Severn Trent water station, clear views south easterly are pleasantly distant over a constant M1 hum. Steady readings max out at 200 meters and by easily sighting Strawberry Bank on the South West it seemed from this nearby mounded rise, here still looked up into Huthwaite.

Strawberry Bank - Huthwaite

Addressed houses line length of Strawberry Banks curving narrow road, sharing windowed panoramas stretching over Derbyshire. A severe slope makes distance seem more spectacular, the feature giving name to recognising the counties original highest point atop. My readings here are on the actual named roadway below housed fronts. In fairness the original marked spot may be lost when some natural landscape became residentially covered. Even so, readings jumped around 207 before settling a most consistent 203 meters.

Silverhill Wood - Teversal

Recognised by Nottinghamshire County Council 2005 marking their highest point with a magnificent statue "Testing for Gas". He commands the greatest surrounding scenery knelt atop the old pit tip, reaching a real breathtaking monument for this areas past coal minings. Although technically a man made structure, its expensively designed claims are officially promoted, allegedly measuring 205 meters. Only 4 above Strawberry Banks natural summit, but reading my instrument consistently displayed 202 meters. Left on a rock for photos, numbers did slowly creep up to once max 208. But... !!

Woodland Avenue - Huthwaite

After all these claims I have to introduce another contender. Visual impact only comes by exiting skyward before sighting road below. Scenic views outward are restricted to those luckily residing inside Woodlands small circular Avenue. However, being located above Strawberry Bank adjacently accessed off Chesterfield Road could give clue for its potential rise into a recognised record holder. Walking around the central parking my Zumo consistently displayed 207 meters, again peaking another 5 stood in one particular spot.

Conclusion

Overall there's little separating anywhere reading above 200 meters. Truly surprising was finding no mapped or significant difference supporting Silverhills claim of reaching a new county record. Despite that monuments shared cause and promotion of an unrivalled attraction, many argue by recording a man made effort it would clearly be bettered from a Whiteborough pylon or Strawberry Bank rooftop. Left uncertain where natural mark stands, or if that included Woodland Avenues tarmac terrain, my local pride now strongly believes record for Nottinghamshires highest point still stands in Huthwaite.

While sea levels may well rise and fall over the years, there's little chance they ever tilt between measurements. Residential expansion above Strawberry Bank perhaps has adjusted that natural terrain, and our county borderline could have been shifted. Otherwise hard to understand a challenging rise and fall between the neighbouring peaks of Whiteborough and Huthwaite. A plea now to all surveying and mapping services, please help answer this case providing independent proof with your most accurate and recently updated results.