Map Reading

Danger Areas

If you’ve been using OS Maps’ ‘standard’ mapping recently, you may have noticed we’ve added some places marked as ‘Danger Area’. These areas are used by the military for training.

Top tips for map reading

Want to explore new places? Every adventure starts with a map and some basic map reading skills. Here are our top tips for better map reading so you can start planning your next day out.

Ordnance Survey Advanced Map Reading Quiz

We've created a tough map reading quiz to test your skills. See if you can get 100% without looking at a map legend!

OS Tricky Place Names Quiz

We've created this challenging place names quiz to see how easily you can be tricked with made up places.

OS map puzzles to challenge your skills

Looking for something to challenge yourself? These puzzles, taken from the two OS Puzzle books, will test your map reading skills!

The Welsh origins of place names in Britain

Find the original meanings of British place names that use Welsh source words with this extensive list of terms, along with pronunciation.

The Scandinavian origins of place names in Britain

Find the original meanings of British place names that use Scandinavian source words with this extensive list of terms, along with pronunciation.

The Gaelic origins of place names in Britain

If you have ever wondered how many of the places in Scotland got their names, this extensive list of terms, along with pronunciation, is here to help.

The Scots origins of place names in Britain

Find the original meanings of British place names that use Scots source words with this extensive list of terms, along with pronunciation.

Reality versus Instagram

Been inspired to visit somewhere by a snap on Instagram lately? Well, be warned, you may not know the full picture or what's involved to get there safely. Scott Mcalister took a bunch of social media bods out to experience the real deal themselves.