Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is an airborne mapping technique, which uses a laser to measure the distance between the aircraft and the ground. Up to 100,000 measurements per second are made of the ground, allowing highly detailed surface and terrain models to be generated at different spatial resolutions.

The Natural Resources Wales composite dataset contains digital elevation data derived from surveys carried out over several years and covers approximately 70% of Wales. We are making available 25cm, 50cm, 1m and 2m datasets, supplied as terrain models (a representation of the ground level) or surface models (a representation of object heights such as vehicles, buildings and vegetation). In addition to the height information, georeferenced, coloured, shaded relief images at the same resolution as the input LiDAR data grids are available.

25cm Data - This dataset is derived from a combination of all data that is 25cm resolution or better which has been merged and re-sampled to give the best possible coverage.

50cm Data - This dataset is derived from a combination of all data that is 50cm resolution or better which has been merged and re-sampled to give the best possible coverage.

1m Data - This dataset is derived from a combination of all data that is 1m resolution or better which has been merged and re-sampled to give the best possible coverage.

2m Data - This dataset is derived from a combination of all data that is 2m resolution or better which has been merged and re-sampled to give the best possible coverage.

JPEG Images - Colour coded images for elevation, these colours are uniform across the country, and as such elevation contours can be derived from the data. Image analysis and visual interpretation of the data can be used to derive maps of land use (such as forestry, urban, farmland, etc), and also to identify buildings, roads and other infrastructure within the landscape.

Additional technical information and frequently asked Questions (pdf)

Attribution Statement

Contains Natural Resources Wales information © Natural Resources Wales and Database Right. All rights Reserved.