Lyme Disease Carrying Ticks Found Across Great Britain

The UK Health Security Agency and the Centre for Climate and Health Security recently reconfirmed that there are approximately 20 species of ticks that are endemic to the United Kingdom (UK).

As of October 7, 2025, the data presented on the UKHSA dashboard focuses specifically on the Ixodes ricinus tick, commonly known as the sheep tick, castor bean tick, or deer tick. These ticks feed on humans and are the primary vector for the bacterial infection Lyme disease in the U.K.

Annually, disease carrying ticks generally peak between May and June.

This UKHSA map shows the distribution of the tick Ixodes ricinus across Great Britain. The tick has a wide distribution from southern England up to northern Scotland including the offshore islands of Wales and Scotland.

Although not present everywhere, the map shows greater coverage of presence records across all areas of southern England below a line from the Severn to the Thames, with areas of tick presence in East Anglia, North Yorkshire Moors, the Lake District and North Wales.

In Scotland, the tick is present is most of the Highland Glens, as well as part of Galloway and the Outer Hebrides.

The Tick Surveillance Scheme was set up in 2005 to map and monitor ticks across the UK. 

While there are no Lyme disease vaccines available for people in 2025, an innovative vaccine candidate (VLA15) is making progress in phase 3 clinical research.