data.gov.uk
Verified working Jul 31, 2026
A UK government gateway for public datasets and data guidance.
data.gov.uk is the UK government’s public data portal, now framed around the National Data Library. It brings together curated dataset collections across areas such as business, environment, government, property, people, transport, and early years, while still linking to the original open data directory search. The site also includes a data manual for public-sector data management, sharing, standards, privacy, and technical guidance.
Why it stands out
- Official UK government source for cross-department public data discovery.
- Combines dataset discovery with practical public-sector data guidance in one place.
- Curated collections make broad government data easier to browse than a raw catalogue alone.
- Covers both high-level policy themes and operational data areas such as transport, land, and early years.
Good to know
- The National Data Library appears to be in transition, with the original open data directory still maintained separately.
- Dataset quality, formats, update frequency, and licensing details can vary by publisher.
- Scope is UK public data, so it is not a general international or private-sector data catalogue.
Under the radar: If the curated collections do not surface what you need, use the linked original open data directory; it may expose older or less-promoted datasets that have not yet been folded into the newer collection pages.
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Public-sector analysts, civic technologists, and policy teams can find UK government datasets to support evidence-based decisions and digital services. Explore transport, environment, land, or population data for a research or service-design project. Use curated topic collections when you need a faster route into trusted government data. Consult the data manual before publishing, sharing, or managing public-sector data. Track updates on UK data infrastructure and National Data Library changes.
Curated public data collections by topic; access to the original open data directory; guidance on data management, standards, protection, sharing, APIs, and AI-related data work; update posts and roadmap links for the National Data Library.
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Similar sites elsewhere
- Data.gov — data.gov
- European Data Portal — data.europa.eu
- Ireland Open Data Portal — data.gov.ie
- Scottish Government Open Data — opendata.gov.scot