Essex isn't well known for being particularly mountainous, but according to 'The Mountain Guide' there are almost 30 of them in our county.

We took a look at these so-called mountains to see what we'd missed.

A mountain is "a large natural elevation of the earth's surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level".

While we're not so sure this definition applies to the ones found in Essex, here's the full list of Essex's 28 mountains.

We have included where each one ranks on the list of the tallest in England. 

Barrow Hill   

Rather appropriately named as a hill rather than a mountain, Barrow Hill sits in West Mersea. 

Measuring at a whopping height of 21m, this 'mountain' is almost as tall as Adventure Island's Rage ride in Southend. 

The guide describes Barrow Hill as having "numerous alternative summits that may be higher than ground." 

Ranking: 4489th tallest in England  

Cabin Hill

Located in Chigwell, Cabin Hill has an elevation of 90m.

90m may sound like a lot, and you may be wondering why you have not noticed this "mountain" before.

The reason for this is that Cabin Hill has a prominence of 0m meaning it looks no different to the land surrounding it. 

Ranking: 4098th tallest in England   

Elevation vs Prominence


The elevation of a mountain is how far above a fixed point the mountain is.

The most common point used is sea level.


The prominence of a mountain is what you would notice.

This refers to how tall it is in relation to the lard encircling it.

Canvey Island   

Canvey Island

Canvey Island itself is classed as one of Essex's mountains. 

With it's elevation and prominence both being recorded as 16m it's no wonder locals wouldn't rush to call it a mountain. 

Who knows, maybe from now on Canvey Island will be known as Canvey Mountain.

Ranking: 4493rd tallest in England


What is The Mountain Guide?

The Mountain Guide is an organisation with the purpose of listing, classifying and presenting the hills and mountains of Britain.

On the website, 10,000 peaks are listed, ranging from modest climbs in city centres to the mountains of the Scottish wilderness.


Chrishall Common   

This mountain in Saffron Walden is known for being a popular walking spot in Essex. 

With a more impressive elevation of 147m, Chrishall Common sits a mere 15m above sea-level. 

According to a survey, there is an "obvious summit" for this Essex mountain and it is the tallest "mountain" in Essex according to the guide.

Ranking: 3436th tallest in England  

Clayton Hill 

Clayton Hill near Waltham Abbey is another one of these 'mountains' which is in a popular outdoor spot.

Right next to the River Lee it is part of the Lee Valley Country Park with an elevation of 79m and a prominence of 30m.

Clayton Hill is categorised as a "Tump" which is "a small rounded hill or mound". 

Ranking: 4204th tallest in England

Colne Bar  

This 'mountain' can be found right on the seafront in Lee-over-Sands near Brightlingsea.

Standing at an impressive 3m, it's elevation matches it's prominence.

It is described as being "stable shingle" with a "wigwam sculpture with integral bench". 

Ranking: 4519th tallest in England


Criers Wood   

Criers Wood can be found in Great Braxted near to Witham.

Its summit is noted as being between a field and a minor road, so it's one of the less attractive "mountains" in Essex.

With an elevation of 89m and a prominence of 50m, Criers Wood is also classified as a "Tump". 

Ranking: 4113th tallest in England   

Danbury Ring   

Another 'tump' to add to the list of Essex's 'mountains' is Danbury Ring. 

Located in Danbury, unfortunately some of its summits have no public right of way as they are on private property.

Its elevation is 111m and its prominence is 63m which means it is on the tall side of Essex's 'mountains'. 

Ranking: 3874th tallest in England

Epping Forest 

Epping Forest

Another surprise inclusion on the list is that Epping Forest is listed as a 'mountain'. 

The area of ancient woodland sits between Essex and London and is a popular spot for outdoor lovers. 

Again categorised as a 'tump', Epping Forest is on the taller end of Essex's mountain scales with an elevation of 117m and prominence of 38m. 

Ranking: 3802nd tallest in England


Foulness Island

Foulness Island is found close to Burnham-On-Crouch on the Rivers Crouch and Roach.

It is the largest of the Essex islands and the fourth biggest island off the coast of England.

The island or 'mountain' which is owned by the Ministry of Defence stands only 1m above sea-level with an elevation of just 3m. 

Ranking: 4520th tallest in England  

Havengore Island  

Close by to Foulness Island is Havengore Island, another of Essex's 'mountains'. 

With only one single road running through it, Havengore is described as "a low-lying, marchy island" but it is somehow still on The Mountain Guide's list of mountains in Essex. 

Although significantly smaller than Foulness, Havengore stands proud with a higher elevation and prominence of a grand 4m.

Ranking: 4517th tallest in England  

Heath Mount

Heath Mount is a 'mountain' in the Southend area of Essex.

With an elevation of 61m this 'mountain' is another one which stands unnoticed in our county. 

Ranking: 4312th in England  

Hedge-end Island  

This small island is located off the shore of Walton-On-The-Naze.

Hedge-end Island is another of the Essex 'mountains' to be used as a popular walking spot 

Standing with both its elevation and prominence at just 4m, Hedge-end Island isn't what you would call a climbing challenge.

Ranking: 4515th tallest in England


Horsey Island

Horsey Island

Next door to Hedge-end Island is Horsey Island, another one of Essex's islands on the mountain list.

It lies in part of the Hamford Water National Nature Reserve and permission is required to visit it.

With its elevation and prominence reaching an incredible 7m, Horsey Island dwarfs its neighbour.

Ranking: 4506th tallest in England

Lambourne Hill

Situated nearby to Loughton, Lambourne Hill isn't a very well known 'mountain'.

In fact when you try to find out more, all you can find is a estate agency with a similar name.

Clearly it's not a tourist hot spot, but Lambourne Hill does have an elevation of 102m and a prominence of 39m.

Ranking: 3977th tallest in England

Langdon Hill

Sitting on the outskirts of Billericay is Langdon Hill, one of the tallest in the list of Essex 'mountains'.

Although it is one of the tallest, it's not very well known at all and isn't a popular walking hotspot unlike the majority of Essex's 'mountains'.

Langdon Hill has an elevation of 118m and a prominence of 81m which in comparison to the others makes it a pretty big 'mountain'.

Ranking: 3777th tallest in England

London Road

Close to Hadleigh lies the 'mountain' London Road.

The 'mountain' claims to start at the "Welcome to Southend-On-Sea" sign on London Road.

Its elevation is 61m but its prominence is 0m meaning it is just as high as the land around it.

Ranking: 4313th tallest in England

New England Island

Located between Foulness Island and Havengore Island is New England Island.

This 'mountain' is completely uninhabited.

New England Island has a disappointing elevation of 2m and a poor prominence of 1m.

Ranking: 4524th tallest in England

Northey Island

This 'mountain' is placed just off the shore of Maldon on the River Blackwater.

The summit is described as "flat" on the uninhabited island owned by the Ministry of Defence.

Yet again this 'mountain' isn't very tall with an elevation and prominence of just 8m.

Ranking: 4504th tallest in England


Osea Island

Osea Island

This is the most famous of all the Essex 'mountains' but it isn't known for its height.

Osea Island has featured in several TV programmes and films, including The Woman in Black with Daniel Radcliffe.

Although famous, Osea Island 'mountain' only has an elevation and prominence of 7m.

Ranking: 4507th tallest in England

Potton Island

Joining the other 'mountains' near Foulness Island is Potton Island.

This 'mountain' is unlike most of the others in the area as it does have people living on it.

It will come as no surprise to read that Potton Island's elevation and prominence is a small 4m.

Ranking: 4514th tallest in England

Ray Island

Ray Island can be found just off The Strood on your way to Mersea.

This 'mountain' is an Essex Wildlife Trust nature reserve and the home to an array of wildlife.

The elevation and prominence of Ray Island is just 5m

Ranking: 4513th tallest in England

Ray Island


Rushley Island

The final 'mountain' in the group around Foulness Island is Rushley Island.

Rushley is described by The Mountain Guide as having a "very flat summit area".

Once again, this so-called mountain has a very low elevation and prominence of just 4m

Ranking: 4516th tallest in England

Scrub Hill

Towards the top of the list of Essex's tallest 'mountains' is Scrub Hill in Brentwood.

It's another one of the list which is described as a small-rounded hill or mound, otherwise known as a tump.

Scrub Hill's elevation is 115m and its prominence is 51m.

Ranking: 3826th tallest in England

Stamfords Hill

Another 'mountain' near Burnham-On-Crouch is Stamfords Hill.

This 'mountain' is located on the side of the road and was listed as a new tump in January 2015.

Stamfords Hill's elevation is 52m and it's prominence is 31m.

Ranking: 4361st tallest in England

Thundersley Hill

This 'mountain' can be found nearby to Benfleet and once again it is on a road.

Thundersley Hill is another one of the 'mountains' which has some of it's peak on private property and has been described as "unexciting" by mountain enthusiasts.

Its elevation is 84m and its prominence is a respectable 65m.

Ranking: 4159th tallest in England


Two Tree Island

Two Tree Island is a small island north-east of Canvey Island.

Once again this 'mountain' is home to a nature reserve described as a "winter refuge for a huge variety of winder wildfowl and waders".

Its elevation and prominence matches many of the other Essex 'mountains' at 7m tall.

Ranking: 4509th tallest in England

Wallasea Island

Finally on the list we have Wallasea Island - unfortunately it's not a big one to end on.

It has been described as "probably not a true island today after road construction".

The final 'mountain' on the list reaches a very poor elevation of 3m and prominence of 2m.

Ranking: 4522nd tallest in England

For more information on the mountains of Essex, go to the Mountain Guide's website here.