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Map reading information

Being able to read a map will help you get so much more out of your time outdoors - whether it is walking, cycling, horse riding or touring. Below you will find some tools from Ordnance Survey to help further your map reading and navigation skills.

Go to: Map reading guides | Map reading videos | Map reading workshops

Map reading guides

Ordnance Survey have created some downloadable guides for map reading and navigation. To download them please click the links below.

Map reading (PDF)
Our guide for beginners to advanced map readers 

Map reading made easy peasy (PDF)
Our guide for younger readers

Map reading videos

Ordnance Survey have been working with Simon King to produce a series of map reading videos that take you through the basics of understanding how to read one of our maps and how to use a compass.

How to choose the right Ordnance Survey map with Simon King

Understanding map symbols with Simon King and Ordnance Survey 

Learn about contour lines with Simon King and Ordnance Survey

Understanding grid references with Simon King and Ordnance Survey

Know your compass with Simon King and Ordnance Survey

How to use a compass with Simon King and Ordnance Survey

Be Prepared for your walk with Simon King and Ordnance Survey

 

 

Map reading workshops

From time to time Ordnance Survey run beginner map reading workshops across the country. The workshops are aimed at the novice map reader and cover the basics of paper map reading and compass navigation using an extract of an OS Explorer Map. The workshops cover the following areas:

  • An introduction of the map layout, symbols and scales
  • Developing an understanding of the Ordnance Survey grid system including being able to take four figure and six figure grid references
  • An introduction to the essentials of a compass – including understanding the "norths"
  • Understanding how to take compass bearings

The workshops are practical, encouraging the participants to get hands on with a map and compass and try things for themselves.

The workshops are held inside Cotswold Outdoor stores - please ring in advance to book your place. We will also be running basic map reading and basic map and compass workshops at Outdoor Pursuits 2013 in Edinburgh. 

 

March 2013

6 Manchester Unit 2, 118-124 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2GQ 0161 839 9255
27 Exeter Darts Farm Shopping Village, Darts Farm, Topsham, Exeter EX3 0QH 01392 878313

April 2013

10 Shrewsbury 28-29A Pride Hill, Shrewsbury SY1 1DP 01743 289 012
20-21 Edinburgh Outdoor Pursuits 2013, The Edinburgh Corn Exchange, Edinburgh  
23 Norwich Blackburn House, 1 Theatre Street, Norwich NR2 1RG 01603 232223
30 Birmingham Piccadilly Arcade, 105 New Street, Birmingham B2 4EU 01216 162920
30 Bakewell Bridge Street, Bakewell DE45 1DS 01629 812231

May 2013

2 Carlisle 74-75 English Street, Carlisle CA3 8HP 01228 596037
7 Leeds Unit 6 The Core Shopping Centre, Lands Lane, Leeds LS1 6AW 0113 245 0879
14 Preston Ground & 1st Floor Crystal House, 135 Fishergate, Preston PR1 2AH 01772 270 910
15 Ambleside Hayes Garden World, Lake Road, Ambleside LA22 0DN 01539 751244
16 Keswick 16 Main Street, Keswick CA12 5JD 017687 81030
21 Ipswich The Great White Horse Hotel, 43-45 Tavern Street, Ipswich IP1 3AG 01473 250 883
22 Holborn, London Unit 1, 311-318 High Holborn, London WC1V 7BN 020 7831 9957
28 Glasgow West End Retail Park, 60 Crow Road, Partick, Glasgow G11 7RY 0141 3575353
28 Coventry Leekes, Silverstone Drive, Gallagher Business Park, Rowleys Green, Coventry CV6 6PA 02476 480 550

June 2013

4 Cambridge 6-7 Bridge Street, Cambridge CB2 1UA 01223 316 586
5 Carmarthen Units 5 & 5A, St Caterines Walk, Carmarthen SA31 1GA 01267 222039
11 Milton Keynes Elder Gate, The Portway, Milton Keynes MK9 1EN 01908 671700
12 Windsor 54-55 King Edwards Court, Windsor SL4 1TG 01753 422197
27 Newcastle 60-62 Northumberland Street, Newcastle NE1 7DF 0191 221 2709

July 2013

3 Brighton 186 Western Road, Brighton BN1 2BA 01273 821 452
3 Cirencester Sine Road East, South Cerney, Cirencester GL7 5TL 01285 863 930
17 Chichester 51 East Street, Chichester PO19 1JG 01243 788167
24 Edinburgh Ground & 1st Floor, 72 Rose Street Hanover Buildings, Edinburgh EH2 2NN 0131 464 9991
31 Truro 29 Back Quay, off Lemon Quay, Truro TR1 2LL 01872 222032
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For general enquiries, complaints, feedback or suggestions, email: customerservices@ordnancesurvey.co.uk or call us on 08456 05 05 05