England Peat Map Peaty Soil Extent

These layers map the extent of peaty soil, i.e. where it occurs and the probability of its occurrence according to the models.

The England Peat Map is a map of England's peaty soils. It models the extent, depth, and condition of our peat including vegetation and upland peat erosion & drainage features (grips, gullies, bare peat and peat hagging). The map and, where possible, the associated data, are available openly and free to use for any purpose.

This map is funded by the Nature for Climate Fund and the Natural Capital Ecosystem Assessment, both part of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

The map layers were created using machine learning and deep learning modelling techniques, trained with pre-existing survey data collated from Defra organisations and other stakeholders, as well as new survey data collected by contractors and quality-assured by an in-house team. Predictor data used in the modelling process included national-scale satellite imagery, topographic LiDAR, geological and historic land-use data. Data collated from multiple sources and collated by the England Peat Map project. See NERR149 England Peat Map Final Report Annex 5 for more information.

Peaty soil is defined as soil with an organic content of 20% or more. This layer maps the extent of this, as modelled by the England Peat Map project, where the probability of occurrence is above 50%. See NERR149 England Peat Map Final Report, Natural England, 2025.