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Description of UKBORDERS

UKBORDERS provides access to digitised boundary datasets and geographic look-up tables corresponding to the geography of the UK. Digital boundaries are provided in common Geographical Information System (GIS) formats such as ArcView Shape and MapInfo TAB, for teachers and researchers in the UK Higher and Further Education community to download and use in their work.

UKBORDERS contains the following facilities:

  • EasyDownload
    The most regularly requested UKBORDERS boundaries available as ready to use national datasets in SHAPE, E00, MIF/MID and DXF format. These boundary datasets can be easily downloaded as zip and gzip files, with just a couple of clicks of your mouse. The key 2001 Census boundary datasets and look-up tables for England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are available through this facility.
  • Boundary Data Selector
    This facility lets you select the boundaries you want, for the area you want, in the format you want. For example, you could download Census Output Areas for several counties, or for a specific ward or district. You can preview your selection over an Ordnance Survey back-drop map and then extract your selection from the UKBORDERS database in one of several GIS formats. If you require generalised boundaries, you can extract your selection from pre-built generalised boundary data where available, or use the generalisation options to create a custom generalised dataset in real time.
  • Postcode Directory Download
    This facility allows you to download complete versions of current and historical postcode directories (sometimes referred to as look-up tables). These directories provide details of current and historical postcodes along with details of other geographies (e.g. electoral ward, health authority etc.) in which that postcode is located. As they contain a Grid Reference for the postcode they provide a convenient means to geo-reference your own datasets.
  • Postcode Data Selector
    This facility allows you to download the set of postcodes that you want from postcode directories released between 2001 and the present day. In contrast to Postcode Directory Download, this allows you to select only the postcodes and fields that you require. You have the option of obtaining the output data in csv, dbf or Shapefile format. The last of which is particularly appropriate for the onward use of the data in GIS based applications.
  • Metadata Viewer
    This facility allows you to search for and view metadata records associated with geographic datasets distributed through UKBORDERS. These metadata records, which can be downloaded as PDF documents provide you with a means of identifying the relevance of individual datasets to your research needs and should help you with your onward data management of the datasets.

Available Digital Boundary Datasets

There are many digitised boundaries available. The main group of boundaries available correspond to the various levels of 2001 and 1991 Census geography which are designed to be used for spatial visualisation and analysis of Census statistics. Also available are environmental boundaries from various sources and historic boundaries created by the Great Britain Historic GIS Project, based at Portsmouth University.

UKBORDERS is funded by ESRC.

The Office of National Statistics provides very useful background information on UK geographies in its Beginner's Guide to UK Geography.

Terms of Use