1. The area lies on Millstone Grit; the lower slopes are covered with boulder clay and some alluvial deposits; there are also signs of glacial drift.

2. Millstone grit, a distinctive coarse-grained rock used to make millstones, is widespread in the Pennines, and the variety of other rock types is reflected in the architecture of the region, such as the bright red sandstone seen in buildings in Chester, the cream-buff Yorkstone and the distinctive purple Doddington sandstone.