Complete Step-by-Step Tutorial
What is DataMapWales?
DataMapWales is a shared data platform developed by the Welsh Government and Welsh public sector organizations. It provides free, unrestricted access to LiDAR data from two main sources: modern Welsh Government coverage (2020-2023) and the Natural Resources Wales historic archive.
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Full Coverage
Entire Wales (20,779 kmΒ²)
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1m Resolution
Welsh Government data
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Cloud Optimized
Stream COGs directly
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Free Access
No registration required
Available Data Sources
π°οΈ Welsh Government LiDAR (2020-2023)
Resolution: 1 metre
Coverage: Comprehensive Wales-wide
Products: DTM, DSM, Hillshade
Format: Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF
Modern, consistent coverage optimized for current applications. Single capture per area with reliable 1m resolution throughout.
ποΈ NRW Historic Archive (1998-2020)
Resolution: 0.25m to 2m (varies)
Coverage: ~70% of Wales
Products: DTM, DSM
Format: GeoTIFF
Historic data with multiple captures for some locations β valuable for change detection studies and temporal research.
Download Methods
Three Ways to Access Welsh LiDAR Data
DataMapWales offers flexible access options depending on your needs β from instant country-wide downloads to precise tile selection.
01
Country-Wide Mosaics (Fastest)
Download pre-compiled Cloud Optimized GeoTIFFs covering all of Wales instantly:
Available Downloads:
- Wales DTM 16-bit COG (~3.4 GB)
- Wales DTM 32-bit COG (~45 GB)
- Wales DSM 16-bit COG
- Wales DSM 32-bit COG
- Wales Hillshade COG
16-bit files are smaller; 32-bit retain full precision.
DataMapWales portal homepage
LiDAR data download map interface
02
Interactive Tile Downloads
Use the map viewer for precise tile selection:
Step-by-step process:
- Visit the LiDAR Data Download map
- Pan and zoom to your area of interest
- Enable the tile index layer in the left panel
- Click on a tile to view its attributes
- Click the DTM or DSM link in the popup to download
Each tile downloads directly as a GeoTIFF with no registration.
03
Stream via COG Links
Preview data directly in your GIS without downloading:
How to stream in QGIS:
- Copy any COG URL from the download links
- In QGIS: Layer β Add Layer β Add Raster Layer
- Paste the URL in the source field
- The data streams directly β only visible areas load
This lets you verify coverage and preview quality before committing to large downloads.
Tile selection grid on the map viewer
Available File Formats
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DTM
Digital Terrain Model
Bare earth elevation for flood modeling, hydrology, terrain analysis
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DSM
Digital Surface Model
Includes buildings and vegetation for urban planning, forestry
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Hillshade
Pre-rendered Relief
Shaded terrain visualization for mapping, archaeology
Technical Specifications
π‘ Data Specifications
File Format: GeoTIFF / Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF
Resolution: 1m (WG) / 0.25-2m (NRW)
Bit Depth: 16-bit or 32-bit float
Coverage: 20,779 kmΒ² (entire Wales)
πΊοΈ Coordinate System
CRS: EPSG:27700 (British National Grid)
Vertical Datum: Ordnance Datum Newlyn
License: Open Government Licence (OGL)
Attribution: Welsh Government / NRW
Tips for Working with Welsh LiDAR
Processing Your Downloaded Data
Once you have downloaded your Welsh LiDAR files, Lidarvisor makes visualization and processing simple. The British National Grid coordinate system (EPSG:27700) is fully supported.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! The data is provided free of charge for both commercial and non-commercial use under the Open Government Licence (OGL). For Welsh Government data, attribute: “Contains Welsh Government LiDAR data.” For NRW data: “Contains Natural Resources Wales information Β© Natural Resources Wales and Database Right. All rights Reserved.”
Welsh Government LiDAR (2020-2023): Modern, consistent 1m resolution with comprehensive Wales-wide coverage. Single capture per area, optimized for current applications.
NRW Historic Archive (1998-2020): Variable resolution (0.25m to 2m), covering approximately 70% of Wales. Multiple captures available for some locations β valuable for change detection and historical research.
Yes, but with important caveats. The Welsh Government states: “The Wales LiDAR data was not created specifically for flood modelling, so additional processing and editing may be required before it can be used for this purpose.” Review the DTM for artificial obstructions like bridge decks and low vegetation that may need filtering.
No. DataMapWales allows immediate downloads without registration. Simply use the map viewer to select tiles or download the pre-compiled COG files directly via the links provided. All data is freely accessible.
Yes. DataMapWales provides OGC-standard web services including WMS for viewing data as map layers and WFS for downloading vector tile boundaries. Access endpoint URLs from the tile catalogue layer pages β look for “OWS endpoints” in the sidebar.
All DataMapWales LiDAR data uses EPSG:27700 (British National Grid) for horizontal coordinates with heights referenced to Ordnance Datum Newlyn. Most GIS software recognizes this CRS automatically when loading the files.
Additional Resources
π Official Links
π Related Resources
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