[2] The name preserves an obsolete sense of the word "cliff", which could historically refer to a hillside as well as a precipitous rock face.

[3] The scarp is formed by resistant Jurassic age rocks, principally the Lincolnshire Limestone Formation,[4] and is remarkable for its length and straightness.

Closely following the escarpment is an ancient trackway, loosely known as the Jurassic Way,[6] which in large parts now consists of the A607 south of Lincoln and the B1398 to the north.

[5] One of several west-facing scarps within the county, Lincoln Cliff or Edge is formed from a series of sedimentary rocks which dip very gently to the east.

The older rocks to the west of the scarp are of Early Jurassic age whilst those to the east are of Middle Jurassic origin; Parts of this sequence of rocks have gone by different names in the past indicated above by italicised names in brackets, and these continue to be found in older geological literature and maps.