dataset · United Kingdom
BGS Geology 50k Bedrock version 9
Data identifying landscape areas (shown as polygons) attributed with geological names and rock type descriptions. The data is presented at 1:50 000 scale. Onshore coverage is provided for England, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man. Approximately 99% coverage is available and BGS is committed to completing the coverage, and ongoing updates as part of its ongoing national survey. Bedrock geology describes the main mass of solid rocks forming the earth's crust. Bedrock is present everywhere, whet
Visit source ↗Source details
Licence: ["The copyright of materials derived from the British Geological Survey's work is vested in the Natural Environment Research Council [NERC]. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in an
Evidence quality: 38.4
Listed in data.gov.uk public catalogue API on 2026-10-16; relevance/value screened (haiku).
Metadata checked: 2026-10-14T13:20:00.000Z
What's in it
- Data offered docs-verified
- bedrock geology polygons (landscape areas attributed with geological names) · rock type descriptions (BGS Rock Classification Scheme attribution) · geological unit names (BGS lexicon, lithostratigraphic or lithodemic)
- Coverage docs-verified
- Onshore England, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man (approx. 99% coverage)
- Resolution docs-verified
- 1:50 000 scale
- Update frequency docs-verified
- as needed (ongoing national survey updates)
- Formats docs-verified
- ESRI Shapefile · vector
- Access docs-verified
- Available under BGS data licence; NERC copyright, so reproduction or transmission requires prior permission of the copyright holder. No fee is stated in the docs.
Useful for
- Use cases llm-inferred
- Bedrock type lookup for SuDS infiltration and drainage strategy screening · Bedrock geology context for FRA and hydrogeological desk studies · Geological ground model inputs for geotechnical desk studies · GIS overlay of bedrock units against site boundaries for Phase 1 contaminated land studies
- Audience llm-inferred
- geotechnical engineers · hydrogeologists · civils engineers · drainage engineers · environmental consultants · GIS analysts
Limitations
- Constraints llm-inferred
- Coverage is approximately 99%, not complete; BGS states it is working to complete coverage · Mapped at 1:50 000 scale, so not suitable as a site-scale substitute for intrusive investigation · Onshore only; no offshore coverage · Data is supplied as ESRI shapefiles and needs a desktop GIS or equivalent to use · Reproduction and redistribution are restricted by NERC copyright and the BGS data licence · NERC and BGS give no warranty on accuracy or suitability, and use is at the customer's own risk · The page licence field reads 'Not set' while the access constraints apply the BGS data licence
Evidence
- https://www.bgs.ac.uk/datasets/bgs-geology-50k-digmapgb/
- https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/fd666214-5cf8-4acd-a774-23441296bc2e/bgs-geology-50k-bedrock-version-9
Check upstream coverage, uncertainty and licence before use. Station observations are not forecasts or design levels.