Beginner's guides
Map reading skills – beginner’s guides
These simple beginner's guides will teach you the basics of map reading so you can learn how to read a map. Includes a selection of short videos to help you brush up on your map reading skills.
Beginner’s Guide to wind speeds and safety when walking and hiking
Understand the effects of wind speed in KM/H, MPH, M/S and Beaufort Gale Speeds. Now with added cartoons!
Planning a walking route in 5 easy steps
The Best Walking Route Planner and Guide to planning your own walking route Jonathan from the OS Team outlines how you can get started and find new walking routes with the help of a walking route planner.
Paddle Boarding Tips – A beginner’s guide to stand-up paddle boarding
Looking for Paddle Boarding Tips? Read our complete beginners guide to SUP and SUP Essentials for safety on rivers, lakes and by the sea
Beginners guide to choosing a GPS device
Would you like to use a walking, running or cycling GPS device to make your outdoor activities easier, safer or more fun but don't know where to start? This GPS guide looks at different features and functions to help you choose a GPS device most suited to you.
Hiking for Beginners – A Complete Guide
Hiking for beginners, a complete guide to hiking safety, hiking fitness and the best UK Routes for beginners
Learn to cycle
Cycling is brilliant for all ages – it’s fun, great physical exercise and provides an opportunity for family adventures outside. This useful learn to cycle guide will help you teach someone to ride for the first time.
How to get into triathlon
OS Champion Sam Taylor-Frost is part of the GB Triathlon Team. She completed her first triathlon without being super fit or spending a lot of money on kit and you can do the same. Find out how to get into triathlon and give this multi-sport event a go.
Hill walking safety for beginners
OS Champion Phillipa Cherryson spends a day with the Brecon Mountain Rescue Team for some pointers on hill walking safety for beginners.
A beginner’s guide to trail running
Looking to get more from your runs? Enjoy one of the many benefits of trail running and discover new paths near you. Our beginner's guide to trail running will help get you started.
Map reading skills for children
Find out why you should get maps for kids and encourage them to improve their map reading skills. These guides will show you how to make map reading for kids of all ages both fun and educational.
Beginner’s guide to fishing
Try fishing once and you’re sure to be hooked. It’s about so much more than catching a fish. Unwinding in the great outdoors is a big part of the attraction. This beginner's guide to fishing will help you give it ago and enjoy time by the water with family and friends.
Beginner’s Guide to Camping
Planning your first camping trip? Check out this comprehensive beginners guide for tips on what to take, fun activities to do whilst you're there and how to cope if it rains.
Beginner’s guide to grid references
Improve your map reading skills by learning how to read a 4-figure, 6-figure or 8-figure national grid reference. This grid reference finder is suitable for beginners and includes a short 'how to' video.
Beginners guide to using a compass
Even with a GPS in your phone, it's important to know how to use a compass just in case technology fails or visibility is poor. Here's a step-by-step beginner's guide to using a compass, so you can learn the basics of how to navigate with a map.
A beginners guide to understanding map contour lines
Learn the use and meaning of contour lines on a map and understand how to use them to when you're out and about or planning routes. Understanding contours will improve your map reading skills.
A beginners guide to understanding map scales
Have you ever got confused about what a map scale is, or wondered what is the difference between our OS Landranger and OS Explorer maps? This beginner's guide to understanding map scales will help! Includes a short video for easier learning.
A beginners guide to measuring distance on a map
Measuring distance is a key tool in map reading and is especially useful for hikers and cyclists who want to measure how far they have travelled or how far they wish to go. Learn how to easily measure distance on a map with our quick and simple guide.
A beginners guide to the compass
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.
Beginner’s guide to gravel riding
Gravel riding fuses the best parts of road cycling, mountain biking and trail riding. You can ride a gravel bike on any terrain making them perfect for exploring from your front door. This guide to gravel riding will explain what it is, where to do it and how to get started.
Beginner’s guide to cycle touring
Travelling by bike guarantees a fantastic adventure and allows you to discover much more than your regular holiday. This beginner's guide to cycle touring will explain what it is and how to do it.
A beginner’s guide to wild swimming
We explore why open-water swimming, also known as wild swimming, is so good for us and get some top tips from Olympian and Sports Scientist Greg Whyte OBE to help you take your first dip.
A beginner’s guide to running
Whether it’s around the block, to the shop, or a full scale marathon, there is no doubt that running is good for you. This beginner’s guide to running will help you get started.
How to get into climbing
Climbing can be safe, suitable for lots of levels of fitness and ability and – the best bit - seriously addictive and tremendous fun. Keen climber, Sian Lewis, explains the different types of climbing and how you can get started.
A beginner’s guide to ultra-running
If standard marathons are no longing challenging enough for you, and you're looking for your next big event - why not try ultra-running? Ultra-running is not for the faint hearted, but this beginner's guide from experience runners can help to get you started.
A beginner’s guide to triathlon
The triathlon is a tough but rewarding event and there's plenty of choice in distances. Whether your aiming to tackle major miles or take on a shorter challenge, this beginner's guide to the triathlon will help you work towards your first triathlon.
A beginner’s guide to nordic walking
Nordic Walking is a fast growing pasttime activity in Britain. Discover more with this beginner's guide.
A beginner’s guide to open sea swimming
A brilliant guide to get you swimming in open water. These top tips from Heather Scoot (a novice open water swim competitor) will really help you whether your getting in shape, staying in shape or preparing for a competition.
A beginner’s guide to mountain biking
Get outside and have some muddy fun with this beginner's guide to Mountain Biking.
Beginners’ guide to fossil hunting
This beginner's guide to fossil hunting takes a look at the best places to find fossils in the UK and explains how and when to find them. Get some advice from a professional and find out what you need to start searching for fossils near you.
A beginner’s guide to orienteering
Get started with orienteering. Blog by John Warren of Wimborne Orienteers,
A beginner’s guide to geocaching
Combining exploring with treasure hunting, geocaching is a great way for families to #GetOutside. Learn how to get started with this beginners guide.