GeoRecords
BGS GeoRecords provides access to the National Geoscience Data Centre archive of over nine million items.
Our most popular collection is Borehole Records.
GeoRecords Borehole Ordering System - Notice of Retirement on 29th March 2024
BGS have improved accessibility to borehole scans by generating multi-page PDF files that provide the data in a more efficient way,
with no limitation on size.
This has enabled BGS to retire the GeoRecords borehole ordering system as all boreholes
(unless confidential / restricted) are now available using the Geoindex borehole data layer.
Further information on confidential / restricted boreholes can be requested via enquiries@bgs.ac.uk
The historical records held by the BGS date back to the 18th Century. During the intervening period the meaning of some words and/or descriptive terms has changed. In rare instances some historic records contain words once used commonly that might now cause offence. BGS policy is to provide the records in their original state without amendment or excision of content. This policy is consistent with that of The National Archives.
Open Borehole Records
Free to view, print or download records under Open Government Licence directly from our website (if available) or submit an order for a PDF format scan to be supplied by the GeoRecords Team (£5 + vat per borehole, cost recovery charge):
Free access to scanned borehole collections
Onshore GeoIndex
Information
Viewer
You can search BGS datasets using GeoIndex a map-based index of information that we have collected or have obtained from other sources.
The data is also available via the iGeology smartphone app for iPhone and Android.
Geology of Britain Viewer
Information
Viewer
You are free to view, print or download the records under the Open Government Licence subject to the following acknowledgement accompanying the reproduced BGS materials:
"Contains British Geological Survey materials © NERC 2024".
Terms and Conditions
Confidential Borehole Records
How to access Confidential Borehole Records
Further information
Archive items not available via our webpage can be accessed by contacting enquiries@bgs.ac.uk to arrange a visit for viewing or supply of scanned records via our document delivery service. Prices on application.
More details of our Archive Collections can be found in the Records Holdings section of our website or search for BGS datasets using the Geoindex.
Materials Collections - Alongside our extensive hardcopy archive of records, we have a vast collection of material, gathered since 1835, including: core, palaeontology and petrology collections. See 'using materials collections' in order to visit the Core Store or search the Materials holdings.