England’s highest city is a matter of contention in Yorkshire. Many are of the view that the UK’s largest nation’s highest city is Bradford.
The West Yorkshire city has an average height above sea level of 1065 feet. According to Ordnance Survey, that makes it on average higher than any other city in England.
However, there is another Yorkshire city that makes the claim: Sheffield. Although Sheffield’s average height above sea level – 977 feet – is the second-highest in England, it boasts the highest single point within the boundary of any single city.
The appropriately named High Stones is found both within the boundary of the City of Sheffield and South Yorkshire.
High Stones, a whopping 1798 feet above sea level, sits on the Howden Moors in the northern Peak District National Park.
The site is found between Langsett Reservoir to the north-east and Howden Reservoir to the south-west, and although it’s thoroughly rural it is technically within the Sheffield city limits.
Whether Bradford or Sheffield is the highest city in England essentially comes down to the defintion of highest. Either way, that is unlikely to stop the residents of each laying claim to the title.
Other high English cities include Birmingham – fourth on the list of average altitude – which is on average 809 feet above sea level.
It’s been by its Midlands neighbour Stoke-on-Trent, on average 905 feet above sea level.
Bath in Somerset comes next, which is on average, 754 feet above sea level.
