Online Mapping

You decide to go on a walk from the Pathfinder’s programme, but you are not sure of the exact start position. Maybe you are unsure of how to use OS references? Maybe you don’t have that particular OS Explorer map? Don’t despair — use the World Wide Web!

The Ordnance Survey organisation has an excellent site and can help you enormously. Go to www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/getamap/ and click on the "I want to Get-a-map now!" button.

Now, let’s assume you've decided which walk you'd like to go on. Enter the full 8 character OS map reference as per the programme (e.g. TQ420158) and click Go. You are rewarded with the OS map with the start point exactly in the middle. You can zoom in or out — useful to help you plan your journey to the start point.

However, used in reverse it is a very useful tool if you are planning a walk and want to work out the OS map reference for your start point (or want to check it is correct). Simply put the place name or Post Code in the search box, centre the map by clicking on your start point and the map reference is displayed under the map.

Want an aerial shot? Try www.multimap.com. Type in the place name or post code and you are presented with a small scale map. Zoom in to any larger scale and click the “Aerial” camera icon and you have a photo of the start point.

Want directions on how to get to the walk? There are many online route finder websites. I suggest you try www.rac.co.uk or www.theaa.com. Both provide excellent step by step route planning.

So you need never get lost (sorry, temporarily unsure of your position) again!