Measurements of sediment properties (incl. organic and carbonate content), radionuclides (210Pb, 137Cs, 241Am) and elements (including mercury, nickel, copper, zinc, and lead) in lake sediment successions. Radionuclide dating provides a reliable chronology of sediment ages from the mid-19th century (sometimes only 20th century) to the present (2016). The dataset comprises a standardised matrix of multiple measured sediment variables (element values per mass) against stratigraphic depth for 8 lakes. In these water bodies multiple core datasets exist, one collected from the littoral zone, one of intermediate depth and one from the deepest area. The deepest core was used for 210Pb dating. The intermediate and littoral depth cores are not dated, except at Esthwaite where the littoral core (29328_ESTH_LITT.csv) had been previously collected, 210Pb dated and measured for organic and carbonate content.