Map reveals dozens of Britain’s dead volcanoes including supervolcano at tourist hotspot – one is 80 miles from London
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WHEN you think of Britain, the first word that springs to mind probably isn't "volcano" – but our tiny nation is littered with the things. There are dozens of long-extinct volcanoes across the United Kingdom, including one just 80 miles from London. Thankfully none of them are active so we're not at risk of suffering a painful lava death.
![[Aerial view of a volcano erupting at night.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/NINTCHDBPICT000962853198.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
British volcanoes haven't been active since around 50 million years ago. So that's why you can safely walk over them, and there's a good chance that you might have already. Take a look at our interactive map plotting them out:. For Londoners, your closest bet is at Warboys, which is just 80 miles away in Cambridgeshire.
![[Warboys village sign and pond.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/p3yct9-village-sign-pond-warboys-962852831.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Around 600 feet below ground are rocks believed to be the remnants of a volcano dating back around 300 million years. Now Warboys is a peaceful village with just over 4,000 residents – but it was once a hotbed of volcanic activity. Some of Britain's best hikes are also on top of long-extinct volcanoes.
![[Snow-capped Helvellyn mountain reflected in a calm lake.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/snow-topped-helvellyn-mountain-viewed-962852749.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
For instance, the Lake District's Helvellyn is made from volcanic rocks that were created in the caldera of an ancient volcano. These explosive eruptions would've happened around 450 million years ago. It's the same story for the Scafells (including Scafell Pike, England's highest peak), which is the remains of a volcanic eruption dating back 400 million years.
![[View of Scafell and Scafell Pike from Bow Fell in the Lake District.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/looking-towards-scafell-scafell-pike-962852944.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
