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Advanced guide to reading contours and relief
Understanding contour lines and relief on a map is essential for safe planning and navigation across the varied terrain you may encounter on your outdoor adventures. This guide explain all you need to know about contours and help you read valley and ridge contour lines, slopes and spurs on an OS Map map.

An advanced guide to understanding map scale
Understanding map scales is vital to successfully using maps for planning and navigation. Boost your map reading skills with this advanced guide for understanding Ordnance Survey map scales and key features on each OS map.

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.

Leave the car at home
By walking or cycling instead, you’ll see a positive impact on your health and happiness, the environment and your wallet. Find out how you can swap shorter car journeys for active travel and make a real difference.

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.

Safety tips for walking outside
Our friends at Lifesystems share expert advice on how to stay safe in the outdoors. Here is everything you need to know about safety when walking in the outdoors and how you can better prepare yourself for your next adventure.

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.