Learn map reading skills for free with guides from National Map Reading Week, which aims to inspire people of all ages and interests to GetOutside, explore, find adventure and make memories. Reading a map can you off the usual paths, and we’re here to help you learn how!
Download our free map reading leaflets: Map reading - beginners to advanced for adults or teenagers and Map reading made easy for children. You can even print or save them to your phone!
Free downloadSee maps and routes for all of Great Britain and use 3D and Augmented Reality to visualise your routes and bring the landscape to life with OS Maps, our web and app based mapping system.
Check out our How-to video guides here.
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Like to learn what contour lines are? Need the basics of compass use? Like to know how you can measure a distance from a map? Our collection of beginners guides will get you started in no time.
Beginners guides
Already got the basics, but want to improve your navigation in difficult terrain, learn how to pinpoint your location when lost or read contours to identify slopes? Check out the advanced guides
Advanced guides
There's no need to keep staring at your feed in envy when you could be staring at your biggest achievement this week. James Howgego gives us some sound advice on switching our Insta-envy for the real outdoors.
Whether you're a teacher or a parent, take a look at our Education Resources for project ideas and teaching aids, plus find games to play in our fun MapZone area.
Test your map reading skills with this new quiz! Can you prove yourself a 'modern map master'?
Check out our 10-part how-to video guides for everything you need to know about using OS Maps.
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