dataset · United Kingdom
BGS Geology - 625k (DiGMapGB-625) Bedrock version 5
Data identifying landscape areas (shown as polygons) attributed with geological names and rock type descriptions. The scale of the data is 1:625 000, providing a simplified interpretation of the geology which may be used as a guide at a regional or national level, but should not be relied on for local geology. Onshore coverage is provided for all of England, Wales, Scotland, the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland. Bedrock geology describes the main mass of solid rocks forming the Earth's crust. Be
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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: 38.6
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 · geological unit names (BGS Lexicon of Named Rock Units) · rock type descriptions (BGS Rock Classification Scheme)
- Coverage docs-verified
- Onshore England, Wales, Scotland, Isle of Man and Northern Ireland · Rock ages from Archean (~3500 Ma) to Pliocene, as stated in docs
- Resolution docs-verified
- 1:625 000 map scale; simplified regional/national interpretation
- Update frequency docs-verified
- As needed (no fixed schedule)
- Formats docs-verified
- OGC GeoPackage (vector)
- Access docs-verified
- Free of charge under the Open Government Licence; BGS/NERC copyright, reproduction requires permission per access constraints
Useful for
- Use cases llm-inferred
- Regional bedrock context for desk-based site appraisals and preliminary ground models · Bedrock rock-type screening for hydrogeological or aquifer context at catchment scale · Mapping bedrock units for FRA or drainage strategy background at regional scale
- Audience llm-inferred
- geotechnical engineers · hydrologists · environmental consultants · GIS analysts · planners
Limitations
- Constraints docs-verified
- 1:625 000 scale: not for local geology (docs state it should not be relied on for local geology) · Onshore only; no offshore coverage · Access constraints restrict reproduction or transmission without NERC/BGS permission · Dataset reference date is 2008, so may not reflect recent survey revisions · Doc gives Pliocene as 58 million years ago; standard dating (~5.3-2.6 Ma) suggests the stated age range needs checking · Use is at customer's own risk; NERC/BGS gives no warranty on accuracy or suitability
Evidence
- https://www.bgs.ac.uk/datasets/bgs-geology/
- https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/0867de44-a9d1-4459-84af-87016ae31e26/bgs-geology-625k-digmapgb-625-bedrock-version-5
Check upstream coverage, uncertainty and licence before use. Station observations are not forecasts or design levels.