Article filter

using20a20compass20guide20hero.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0

What Kind of Compass do I Need

May 1, 2022

4 min read

Improve your map reading skills with this beginner’s guide to the compass. We take a look at the different types of compass, such as a baseplate compass, and explain how to orientate a map with one.

map_reading_for_younger_children_hero.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0

Teaching younger children about maps

April 5, 2022

3 min read

Teaching children to map read from a young age will help them understand the world around them and set them up for future adventures. We look at how you can introduce younger children to map reading and teach them to create their own simple maps.

Map Reading

Teacher training: how to make map skills fun

March 6, 2022

7 min read

Adrian Hall of Active Outdoor Discovery is an Outdoor Activities Instructor, Mountain Leader and Expedition leader – and has spent the last few years inspiring school children to learn all about maps. Here is his advice on how you can make maps fun for kids to support their education and help them learn important life skills.

How to Spot History on a Map – Old OS Map Symbols

January 25, 2022

7 min read

Learn what old map symbols mean. British broadcaster and anthropologist, Mary-Ann Ochota reveals some of the most common archaeological clues and historic map symbols.

bdo_hero.dfb116b24fe1749d7b8d7d2da6a64dab

Public Rights of Way

March 29, 2021

10 min read

Did you know, OS show over 220,000 km of public rights of way on our maps? Approximately 170,000 km of these are footpaths and 40,000 km are bridleways. Over 4,600 km are National Trails and 30,900 km are recreational routes!

Danger Areas

March 29, 2021

4 min read

If you’ve been using OS Maps’ ‘standard’ mapping recently, you may have noticed we’ve added some places marked as ‘Danger Area’. Find out more about what they are and what you can do on them here.