Scunthorpe lies on an escarpment of ridged land (the Lincoln Cliff) which slopes down towards the Trent. The surrounding environs are largely low-lying hills and plains. Although the town itself is heavily industrial it is surrounded by fertile farmland and wooded areas. In terms of general location it lies a mile east of the River Trent, south of the Humber Estuary, west of the Lincolnshire Wolds and north of Lincoln. The town is situated at the terminus of the M181, from Sheffield.