This paper describes a method developed for the analysis of chlorophenols in liquid sewage sludges. After a comparison of different extraction procedures, wet sludge extraction with a solvent mixture of hexane and isopropyl alcohol was selected. Twelve sewage sludges from rural, urban and industrial sewage treatment works in north-west England were analysed by capillary GC-ECD, using a derivatization procedure. The total chlorophenol content ranged between 9.8 and 60.5 mg/kg (38.7-99.2 μg/l), with a mean of 34.6 mg/kg (70.4 μg/l). The most abundant chlorophenol was 2,4-dichlorophenol, which had a mean concentration of 26 ± 15.7 mg/kg (51.6 ± 19.6 μg/l); pentachlorophenol concentrations ranged between 0.1 and 2.04 mg/kg (0.21-3.76 μg/l). Chlorophenols with known sources and/or those which are known degradation products were found in the greatest abundance. The data are discussed in relation to literature reported figures and the inputs of chlorophenols to sludge amended agricultural soils is assessed.