The Unofficial Guide to getting the Perfect Trig Pillar Photo

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The Unofficial Guide to getting the Perfect Trig Pillar Photo

By Hilary Pullen

Published on April 15, 2026 4 min read

The unofficial guide to getting the perfect trig pillar photo

Trig pillars have stood quietly for 90 years without asking for attention. And yet, here we are, crouching, leaning, clambering and even queuing to get a photo with one of Britain’s most dependable landmarks.

If you are heading out to mark our iconic Ordnance Survey Trig Pillars 90th birthday, here is your guide to capturing your trig bagging moment in style.

What’s your Go-To Trig Pillar Pose?

We have been having fun looking through pics on Instagram to find some of our favourite classic Trig Pillar poses. Not just you standing next to it like a school photo, although we do love a big group selfie like the one from OS Champion Sal Thornton above. We love seeing trig pics where you’re really working the camera and celebrating finding one of our iconic Trig Points with a classic pose.

Be sure to to tag us @ordnancesurvey if you try one of these trig pillar poses or if you have some fresh ways to pose (safely) with a Trig!

Trig Hugger Pose

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A post shared by Emily ~ Hiking | Outdoors | Fashion | Travel (@ems_outdoors_)

You’re a Trig Hugger not a trig bagger! You could not be happier to see this big lump of stone and concrete. Great for when the view lets you down. We like the chin on hands and the inclusion of the brass ‘spider’ so it’s instantly recognisable as a trig, even close up, in this shot from @ems_outdoors

King of the Castle Trig Pose (advanced walkers only!)

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A post shared by Al Reid (@treks.where.next)

Standing proudly on top like all you can see for miles is now yours for the rest of time. We particularly like the “I’m searching for something in the distance” hand to brow pose from @treks.where.next
(as this is one of the most extreme poses – take care in strong wind and remove your backpack first)

Back‑to‑Camera, Look at That View!

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A post shared by Donna (@wildflower_walks)

Works solo or as a group all staring into the distance, subtle and classy. @wildflower.walks has taken it to another level by sitting on the Trig. This is less King of the Castle and more – “I am at one with the Trig”

Tap the Top – POV Close Up

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A post shared by Finley 🐾 (@outdoorsonfourpaws)

A classic POV close up of your hand as you tap the trig on a summit. Also works with lots of people’s hands or even a dogs paw like this brilliant Trig pic from @outdoorsonfourpaws

Pointing at the Trig (like it’s a celebrity!)

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A post shared by Nicky – My sandwich is important (@nicky.walks)

Trigs are celebrities if you look at how often they are photographed! This is also a good one if the Trig is a bit busy with its fans – @nicky.walks has some rather controversial views about touching Trig Pillars – she suggests just seeing it is enough… what do you think, do you have to tap it? Would you queue up?

Superman!

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A post shared by 𝐉𝐚𝐝𝐞 • 𝐔𝐊 • 𝐇𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 | 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐬 | 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 ⛰️👣 (@trighappyhikes)

You’re actually flying (good abs needed for this one and be sure to face into the wind) Click through for a complete masterclass on Trig Posing from @trighappyhikes – we’d expect nothing less!

The self timer

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A post shared by Lottie | HIKE | CLIMB | SWIM | ADVENTURE | UK (@lottie.inthewild)

Getting a selfie with a timer is hard – as @lottie.inthewild found out – we think there’s a certain dynamism to this shot though, A+ for effort! Be sure to share all your trig posing blooper reels with us!

The Dog & Trig Classic (why isn’t there a calendar available?)

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A post shared by Paul Steele (@baldhiker)

Your faithful friend deserves a pic with the Trig too – especially if they can do a fancy Trig Tap like @bald.hiker‘s dog. We should probably have an entirely separate post just for dogs with and on trigs.

If you have any iconic Trig Pillar Pics to share to help us celebrate 90 years of the humble Trig be sure to share them and tag us at @ordnancesurvey (we might even add them to this post!)

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