Get Inspired to Get Outside

Unlock the Outdoors: Expert Tips and Inspiring Stories to Fuel Your Adventures

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How to spot history on a map

January 25, 2022
7 min read

British broadcaster and anthropologist, Mary-Ann Ochota reveals some of the most common archaeological clues and historic symbols you’ll spot on a map. From church spires to tumulus, this guide will take your though old ordnance survey map symbols

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Danger Areas

March 29, 2021
4 min read

If you’ve been using OS Maps’ ‘standard’ mapping recently, you may have noticed we’ve added some places marked as ‘Danger Area’. Find out more about what they are and what you can do on them here.

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Ordnance survey advanced map reading quiz

April 5, 2020
6 min read

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

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Os tricky place names quiz

April 1, 2020
4 min read

We’ve created this challenging place names quiz to see how easily you can be tricked with made up places. See if you can get 100%!

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Os map puzzles to challenge your skills

March 31, 2020
2 min read

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

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The Welsh origins of place names in Britain

November 7, 2019
33 min read

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

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The scots origins of place names in britain

November 7, 2019
25 min read

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

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The scandinavian origins of place names in britain

November 7, 2019
12 min read

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

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The gaelic origins of place names in britain

November 7, 2019
75 min read

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.