They formed in loess. Gara, Keswick, and Lindley soils are on the side slopes and at a higher elevation than Gosport soils. They formed in glacial till. Nordness and Sogn soils typically are higher on the slope than the Gosport soils. They formed in weathered limestone.
Drainage is difficult to assess because of the color inherited from the shale.
Gosport soils are thought to be moderately well drained. They are not saturated with water at some seasons nor artificially drained. Runoff is rapid. Permeability is very slow. Some areas are left idle where they are surrounded by soils that have properties more favorable to agriculture.