In this study, the physicochemical properties of Salisbury biochar produced from British broadleaf hardwood and its adsorption characteristics towards lead were investigated. The biochar particle size has a significant effect on its BET surface area, cation exchange capacity and sorption of lead. The kinetics data were well fitted by the Pseudo second order model. The increase of biochar dosage increased the percentage of lead removal in solutions. The increase of initial solution pH increased the percentage of lead removal across the pH range of 2-10. The calculated maximum adsorption capacities of lead by Langmuir model were 47.66 and 30.04 mg/g for 0.15 mm and 2 mm samples. The adsorption capacities of different metals decreased in the order of lead > nickel > copper > zinc calculated in mmol/g. This study suggests a great potential of biochars derived from British broadleaf hardwood to be applied in soil remediation. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.