What makes a good Topping experience?

The ultimate top...

Ben Nevis at 4408ft is the ultimate county top but is probably several thousand feet beyond me. What puts me off is not the height but the amount of ascent, how long you spend walking uphill. To climb Ben Nevis you have to ascend for over 4300ft as you start at nearly sea level, and unless you get taken off the mountain by helicopter you'll have to walk back down again. Too much like hard work to me!

In other respects, Ben Nevis has some of the hallmarks of a good topping experience, 360° panoramic views and a cairn or marker to identify the highest point exactly. Leaning nonchalantly against a trig point makes a much better photo. A good top should stand out proud from its neighbours too, be unmistakably higher than its surroundings. Good tops don't have to have pointy tops, ridges can provide excellent views too. However a really good top is never too far from a handy accessible car park (no height barriers please). A tea shop or café is always very welcome after a long (or short) days walk, although I do have Archie and his excellent facilities when needed. Warm (not hot) sunny days, clear blue skies and a light breeze all help make the day more enjoyable.

As with so many things in life, size isn't everything. Ben Nevis is never going to be achievable but I'm looking forward to scaling lesser lights like Worcestershire Beacon in the Malverns or Dunkery Beacon in Exmoor, or even lowly Normanby Top in Lincolnshire where the Wolds rise out of the fens and views are enormous.