GCSE Geography: UK Physical Landscapes Guide

Upland and lowland Britain

The UK's landscape is roughly divided into upland areas in the north and west (older, harder rock, like Scotland and Wales) and lowland areas in the south and east (younger, softer rock, like much of England).

Glaciation

During the last Ice Age, glaciers carved much of the UK's upland landscape, creating features such as U-shaped valleys, corries (armchair-shaped hollows), arêtes (sharp ridges) and pyramidal peaks.

Glacial processes

Glaciers shape the land through erosion (plucking and abrasion, as ice grinds against rock) and deposition (leaving behind material called moraine when the ice melts).

How landscapes are used

Upland glaciated landscapes are often used for tourism, hiking and reservoirs, while lowland areas tend to support more farming and urban development due to their flatter land and richer soil.

Common mistakes

• Mixing up glacial erosion (plucking and abrasion) with glacial deposition (moraine).
• Confusing named landforms, such as a corrie and an arête.
• Assuming all of the UK was equally affected by glaciation — southern England was largely unglaciated.