This dataset contains soil physicochemical characterisation data collected from riparian observatories in the UK (Scotland and England) and complementary international observation sites in Germany and Sweden. Measurements include soil pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, extractable phosphorus, major cations and anions, bulk density, and related parameters describing soil characterisations such a texture. The data provides insight into nutrient status and geochemical variability across riparian zones with differing land uses, vegetation, and climatic conditions. The accompanying metadata file details data table titles, analytical methods, limit of detection and units of measurement to facilitate reuse and interpretation. Soil samples were collected as part of the NERC-funded project "Accelerating Nutrient Cycles at the Riparian Land : Water Interface" (NE/V012460/1) investigating riparian zone biogeochemistry across temperate regions. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/4781c0ed-d5b4-41f7-bbfd-94a6a11a77b5