The Southern Lincolnshire Edge NCA is in the south of Greater Lincolnshire. It has an area of higher limestone with a striking scarp slope up to 50m high (‘The Cliff’) defining the western boundary and a dip slope to the east. Well-drained soils lie over this higher ground (‘The Heath’). Heavier clay soils are found to the east and south-west. The area is mostly used for arable agriculture on the higher ground with very large fields separated by hedgerows, though stone walls made from locally quarried limestone still mark some field boundaries. Woodland blocks are relatively small and scattered thinly across the area. Pasture is found more on the lower, clay soils and smaller fields are found in these areas.

The area is noted for its calcareous grassland, woodland and limestone becks. Species-rich grasslands are found in a few old fields, road verges and old quarries. The Rivers Slea and Witham are the largest watercourses in the area.

Designated sites are few and cover less than 1% of the area. The limestone supports a regionally important aquifer and feeds some unique spring-fed watercourses with rare habitats including tufa formations.

Many of the settlements in this NCA have formed along the scarp slope. There is some fine parkland, eg at Belton House, and the airfields in the area support a significant number of breeding curlew.