The UK's Longest Rivers and Highest Mountains

The Severn (354 km) is the longest river in the United Kingdom; it rises in mid-Wales and flows through Shrewsbury, Worcester and Gloucester before emptying into the Bristol Channel. The Thames (346 km) is the second-longest and the most famous; it flows through Oxford, Reading, Windsor and London. The Trent, the Great Ouse, the Tay and the Spey are also among the country's major rivers.

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The highest mountain in the UK is Ben Nevis in the Scottish Highlands, at 1,345 m. The highest in Wales is Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) at 1,085 m. The highest in England is Scafell Pike in the Lake District at 978 m. The highest in Northern Ireland is Slieve Donard at 850 m.

You may be asked which is the longest river (Severn), which is the highest mountain in the UK (Ben Nevis), or which range surrounds Snowdon (Snowdonia / Eryri).

Test yourself on this topic

These questions from the official-format question bank cover the same material. Tap any question to see the correct answer and a short explanation.

1. Which river banks the London eye?
2. There is a yearly ______ race on the River Thames between Oxford and Cambridge Universities
3. The London Eye is situated on the southern bank of the River ______
4. The London Eye is situated on the southern bank of which river?
5. What is 'Snowdon'?
6. What is ‘Snowdon’?

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