This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-38568893
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Where are England's steepest streets? | Where are England's steepest streets? |
| (1 day later) | |
| Where are England's steepest streets? We asked readers to name the thigh-burning inclines that fill their hearts with terror - and enlisted Ordnance Survey's help checking the gradients. | Where are England's steepest streets? We asked readers to name the thigh-burning inclines that fill their hearts with terror - and enlisted Ordnance Survey's help checking the gradients. |
| Shaftesbury, Dorset | Shaftesbury, Dorset |
| For those of a certain age, this charming cobbled climb brings back memories of 1970s television, the strains of Dvorak's New World Symphony and - of course - bread. | For those of a certain age, this charming cobbled climb brings back memories of 1970s television, the strains of Dvorak's New World Symphony and - of course - bread. |
| Gold Hill, in Shaftesbury, Dorset, is still known to many as Hovis Hill, as a result of the 1973 Ridley Scott advert which brought its beautiful backdrop to national attention. | Gold Hill, in Shaftesbury, Dorset, is still known to many as Hovis Hill, as a result of the 1973 Ridley Scott advert which brought its beautiful backdrop to national attention. |
| With an incline of 16.09º, it certainly poses a challenge to tourists and residents alike. | With an incline of 16.09º, it certainly poses a challenge to tourists and residents alike. |
| Maureen Loveday, who has lived here for more than 30 years, said she believed the daily climb explained the longevity of some of her neighbours. | Maureen Loveday, who has lived here for more than 30 years, said she believed the daily climb explained the longevity of some of her neighbours. |
| You might also like to read: | |
| The rise and rise of urban beekeeping | |
| What do you do if you find £20? | |
| Steam train takes over on Northern line | |
| "I walk up it every day and it certainly helps to keep me fit," said the 68-year-old. "There are plenty of residents on the street who have lived into their 90s." | "I walk up it every day and it certainly helps to keep me fit," said the 68-year-old. "There are plenty of residents on the street who have lived into their 90s." |
| But there are some downsides: "A lady once dropped her handbag at the top after heavy snowfall and it slid right down the hill." | But there are some downsides: "A lady once dropped her handbag at the top after heavy snowfall and it slid right down the hill." |
| Steeped in nostalgia, the scenic location was actually the second choice for the famous commercial, according to Janet Swiss who works at Gold Hill Museum. | Steeped in nostalgia, the scenic location was actually the second choice for the famous commercial, according to Janet Swiss who works at Gold Hill Museum. |
| "They originally wanted to use a hill in Yorkshire but they went to do some filming and it was very grey and wet and windy," she said. "They came to Gold Hill and it was bright sunshine." | "They originally wanted to use a hill in Yorkshire but they went to do some filming and it was very grey and wet and windy," she said. "They came to Gold Hill and it was bright sunshine." |
| Mrs Swiss weeds the cobbles twice a year and claims she finds it "quite addictive". | Mrs Swiss weeds the cobbles twice a year and claims she finds it "quite addictive". |
| Lincoln | Lincoln |
| It might lack the instant recognition factor of its more glamorous counterpart, but the accurately - if unimaginatively - named passage of Steep Hill in Lincoln's medieval centre can boast an incline that - just - outstrips Gold Hill. | It might lack the instant recognition factor of its more glamorous counterpart, but the accurately - if unimaginatively - named passage of Steep Hill in Lincoln's medieval centre can boast an incline that - just - outstrips Gold Hill. |
| Its daunting 16.12º gradient does not put off the puffing tourists, many of whom meander gently past the shops, pubs and cafes on The Strait before making their handrail-assisted ascent. | Its daunting 16.12º gradient does not put off the puffing tourists, many of whom meander gently past the shops, pubs and cafes on The Strait before making their handrail-assisted ascent. |
| Lucy Barnard, who runs a gift shop near the top, said: "Lots of people like to pop into my shop and take a breather because I'm just after the steepest part of the hill." | Lucy Barnard, who runs a gift shop near the top, said: "Lots of people like to pop into my shop and take a breather because I'm just after the steepest part of the hill." |
| Of course, it's much easier going back down - particularly when there's a 100m (328ft) water slide in place. | Of course, it's much easier going back down - particularly when there's a 100m (328ft) water slide in place. |
| Sheffield | Sheffield |
| A 45-mile dash westwards - for the hardy, perhaps a journey to be made by bicycle - brings this steady climb up England's most daunting inclines to the city of seven hills. | A 45-mile dash westwards - for the hardy, perhaps a journey to be made by bicycle - brings this steady climb up England's most daunting inclines to the city of seven hills. |
| We are not talking about Rome, but of course Sheffield. | We are not talking about Rome, but of course Sheffield. |
| Many people believe Jenkin Road - which featured in the 2014 Tour de France route - is Sheffield's steepest, but its 11.02° gradient is actually puny compared to nearby Blake Street's sinew-straining 16.6°. | Many people believe Jenkin Road - which featured in the 2014 Tour de France route - is Sheffield's steepest, but its 11.02° gradient is actually puny compared to nearby Blake Street's sinew-straining 16.6°. |
| The fittingly named Olivia Blake, who moved here a year ago, said she had already come to the aid of three or four people whose cars had become stuck on the snow-covered hill. | The fittingly named Olivia Blake, who moved here a year ago, said she had already come to the aid of three or four people whose cars had become stuck on the snow-covered hill. |
| "Once a parked car rolled down the hill and into the railings on the other side," she said. | "Once a parked car rolled down the hill and into the railings on the other side," she said. |
| This street's greatest claim to fame is its appearance in the 1997 film The Full Monty, where the striptease act members walk up the hill in search of a choreographer. | This street's greatest claim to fame is its appearance in the 1997 film The Full Monty, where the striptease act members walk up the hill in search of a choreographer. |
| Great Malvern, Worcestershire | Great Malvern, Worcestershire |
| But the streets of Sheffield have nothing on our next stop, the first of these terrifying hills to break through the vertigo-inducing 17º barrier. | But the streets of Sheffield have nothing on our next stop, the first of these terrifying hills to break through the vertigo-inducing 17º barrier. |
| The precipitous Old Wyche Road climbs up the eastern slopes of the Malvern Hills to the Wyche Cutting - a winding path thought to have once formed part of an Iron Age salt route. | The precipitous Old Wyche Road climbs up the eastern slopes of the Malvern Hills to the Wyche Cutting - a winding path thought to have once formed part of an Iron Age salt route. |
| It's claimed locally that to the east the next highest hills are the Urals in Russia, and these are blamed for the cold winds that sometimes whistle through the trees. | It's claimed locally that to the east the next highest hills are the Urals in Russia, and these are blamed for the cold winds that sometimes whistle through the trees. |
| Sarah Smith, 42, has lived here on this 17.54º slope for eight years and says she feels "very lucky". | Sarah Smith, 42, has lived here on this 17.54º slope for eight years and says she feels "very lucky". |
| "We've got fantastic views of all the Malvern Hills and valleys. It doesn't matter how often you walk up this hill, it's always tiring. | "We've got fantastic views of all the Malvern Hills and valleys. It doesn't matter how often you walk up this hill, it's always tiring. |
| "You've got to make sure you've got a good handbrake. | "You've got to make sure you've got a good handbrake. |
| "In the snow we come down here in our sledges which you can get quite fast at. You've earned a pint when you get to the top." | "In the snow we come down here in our sledges which you can get quite fast at. You've earned a pint when you get to the top." |
| Bristol | Bristol |
| But the most lung-bursting of these English slopes is to be found down the M5, in Bristol's aptly named Totterdown district. | But the most lung-bursting of these English slopes is to be found down the M5, in Bristol's aptly named Totterdown district. |
| The inhabitants of Vale Street, who have a near 22º gradient to contend with, have every right to look down on the competition. | The inhabitants of Vale Street, who have a near 22º gradient to contend with, have every right to look down on the competition. |
| Helen Loney, who has lived here for 15 years, said it was "most famous" for its Easter Sunday egg-rolling contest. | Helen Loney, who has lived here for 15 years, said it was "most famous" for its Easter Sunday egg-rolling contest. |
| "There's quite a large crowd that stand and throw hard-boiled eggs down the hill," she said. "It's always competitive and really good fun." | "There's quite a large crowd that stand and throw hard-boiled eggs down the hill," she said. "It's always competitive and really good fun." |
| But the spring in her step disappears in the height of winter. "Snow is a right pain," said Mrs Loney. "If you leave your car on the hill it's stuck there until the snow goes." | But the spring in her step disappears in the height of winter. "Snow is a right pain," said Mrs Loney. "If you leave your car on the hill it's stuck there until the snow goes." |
| She said the slope, which has steps and handrails at the bottom and top, had attracted a few daredevils. | She said the slope, which has steps and handrails at the bottom and top, had attracted a few daredevils. |
| "Up and down we've had skiers, we had a unicyclist, lots of runners come and train here. | "Up and down we've had skiers, we had a unicyclist, lots of runners come and train here. |
| "Pushing a double buggy up was a bit tricky for me but I've never been so fit in my life." | "Pushing a double buggy up was a bit tricky for me but I've never been so fit in my life." |
| Do you live on a steep street? Share your pictures and experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | |
| Or use the form below |