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By Holly, 22, October, 2011 8:00 am

You can do a world tour without the need for one of these ...

Looking at the weather out of the window summer is a dim and distant memory, if indeed it ever happened at all! As the nights start to draw in and the leaves turn to various shades of brown I thought that we’d take ourselves off on a world tour today – without the need for a passport! Within our own shores we have places that sound as though they should be elsewhere in the world …

Let’s take in the sites of Europe first – we could go to Barcelona (Cornwall – OS grid reference SX219535), Holland (Surrey – OS grid reference TQ400504), Moscow (North Ayrshire – OS grid reference NS487402), Florence (Stoke on Trent – OS grid reference SJ918422) or Dresden (Stoke on Trent – OS grid reference SJ910423).

Heading into the Middle East we come across Bethlehem (Carmarthenshire – OS grid reference SN688253), Jerusalem (Cumbria – OS grid reference NY657194) and Jordan (Devon – OS grid reference SX699750).

Rather than heading out across the Atlantic why not try Hollywood (Worcestershire – OS grid reference SP083774), Dallas (Moray – OS grid reference NJ114519), Houston (Renfrewshire – OS grid reference NS405668) or Canada (Hampshire – OS grid reference SU287182).

If you’re after an antipodean adventure then look no further than Melbourne (Derbyshire – OS grid reference SK397248), Botany Bay (Enfield – OS grid reference TQ299 992), Sydney (Cheshire – OS grid reference SJ726565), New Zealand (Wiltshire – OS grid reference SU011773), Christchurch (Dorset – OS grid reference SZ153926) or Wellington (Telford – OS grid reference SJ646122).

Using Ordnance Survey maps – where else can you visit on your world tour without leaving Great Britain?

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By Holly, 13, October, 2011 8:00 am

This week for our route of the week we’re going to Battle in East Sussex. That is we’re not going to start or join a battle but instead go to the small town of Battle that is the famed location of the Battle of Hastings back in 1066. Tomorrow actually marks the 945th anniversary of that battle.

Battle - where the Battle of Hastings took place on 14 October 1066

So what did happen back in 1066 to cause the battle? In a nutshell … back in September 1066 (the 28th to be precise) the Norman conquest of England began. It was a pivotal time in English history as it signified the end of the native ruling class and replaced them with a foreign, french speaking monarchy and aristocracy. It was on the 14 October 1066 that the battle of Hastings took place. The battle was between the Norman-French army led by Duke William II of Normandy and the English Army led by King Harold II. During the battle Harold was killed – the legend being that he was shot by an arrow through the eye – and in doing so was the last English monarch to be killed in battle until Richard III was in the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. The battle of Hastings was the last battle on English soil where the foreign invading party were successful – leading to Duke William to become King William I, or William the Conqueror as he as often been referred to.

The image above shows the site of that famous battle and in the background you can see Battle Abbey that was built in 1095 to commemorate the battle. The abbey and the battle site are now run by English Heritage and are near the end of the walk. The town was built up around the Abbey and developed a reputation for producing high quality gun powder. The first gunpowder mill was built in 1676 and it was Daniel Defoe who said in 1722 that “remarkable for little now, but for making the finest gun-powder, and the best perhaps in Europe“.

Our walk today starts at a car park in the centre of Battle, is 9.95miles (16.02km) and should take around 3 hours 40minutes (not allowing for time spent at the battle ground). The route has been plotted for you on OS getamap and the area we’re walking is covered on OS Explorer Map 124 – Hastings & Bexhill.

Have you been to Battle? Have you been on walks around other historic battlegrounds?

Photograph: Graham Horn via Geograph

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By Holly, 11, October, 2011 8:00 am

It may only seem like yesterday that the children went back to school – but the October half term holiday is looming. Today on the Ordnance Survey blog we’re offering our top ten suggestions on where to go and what to do this October half term.

1. 

   The Royal Armouries in Leeds, with free entry, is one of our top ten places to go for October Half Term

   Take on a mission! Mission Explore offers a variety of missions for your children to complete over the half term break. Some are location specific – others can be done anywhere.

2. Get closer to nature with Wildlife Whisperer. This exciting website from Simon King offers a wealth of information to help you get closer to the natural environment around you – and there are some great activities for children to do too.
3. Why don’t you getamap and go exploring – you may find picnic spots (if the weather is kind), pooh stick bridges and woods to kick up the autumnal leaves in!
4. You could plant a tree in the Cairngorms - or knit a mini hat there, or even meet some search and rescue dogs – there’s lots going on to keep you occupied! Continue reading 'October half term fun'»

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By Holly, 6, October, 2011 8:00 am

Todays walk is around Holmfirth - home to Last of the Summer Wine

Having spent last weekend basking it what is probably the last of the summer sun, I thought that for our walk of the week this week we would take in the sights of Last of the Summer Wine.

Last of the Summer Wine, written by Roy Clarke, first came to our screens back in 1973 with the final episode being screened in 2010. The comedy series followed the misadventures of three elderly friends in and around their home town of Holmfirth in Yorkshire.  The series brought to our homes the characters of Compo, Clegg and Nora Batty. The town of Holmfirth is home to a Last of the Summer Wine exhibition and aptly named Wrinkled  Stocking Tea Rooms which is where our walk starts and finishes.

Let’s look at the history of the town. It was back in the 13th Century that the origins of Holmfirth go back where the town started to grow around a corn mill and a bridge. Fast forward 300 years when the town saw rapid growth with thanks to the growing cloth trade and the slate and stone that coming from nearby quarries. The original parish church, built in 1476 was sadly swept away in a flood in 1777. The current parish church was built the following year, in 1778.

As well as being the famed home of Last of the Summer Wine – Holmfirth was also home to Bamford & Co Ltd, the company behind cheeky seaside postcards. Bamfords were also pioneers in film making and back in the early 1900′s Holmfirth was a centre for film making in Great Britain – it has been said that the film making from the West Yorkshire film industry for a time surpassed that of Hollywood for originality and productivity.

I have plotted today’s walk on OS getamap – it is 4.83miles in length, should take you around 2 hours to complete as you will be walking up and down some hills – if you’ve seen any episodes of Last of the Summer Wine though you shouldn’t be expecting it to be flat! All that is left for you to do is get your wrinkled stockings on and enjoy the walk!

Which other areas of the country could we do television programme themed walks around? Tell us which areas you’d like to see featured.

If you decide to do this walk – don’t forget to take OS Explorer Map 288 – Bradford & Huddersfield with you!

Photograph: Tom Pennington via Geograph

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By Holly, 3, October, 2011 8:00 am

You can do a world tour without the need for one of these ...

As the nights start to draw in and the leaves turn to various shades of brown I thought that we’d take ourselves off on a world tour today – without the need for a passport! Within our own shores we have places that sound as though they should be elsewhere in the world …

Let’s take in the sites of Europe first – we could go to Barcelona (Cornwall – OS grid reference SX219535), Holland (Surrey – OS grid reference TQ400504), Moscow (North Ayrshire – OS grid reference NS487402), Florence (Stoke on Trent – OS grid reference SJ918422) or Dresden (Stoke on Trent – OS grid reference SJ910423).

Heading into the Middle East we come across Bethlehem (Carmarthenshire – OS grid reference SN688253), Jerusalem (Cumbria – OS grid reference NY657194) and Jordan (Devon – OS grid reference SX699750).

Rather than heading out across the Atlantic why not try Hollywood (Worcestershire – OS grid reference SP083774), Dallas (Moray – OS grid reference NJ114519), Houston (Renfrewshire – OS grid reference NS405668) or Canada (Hampshire – OS grid reference SU287182).

If you’re after an antipodean adventure then look no further than Melbourne (Derbyshire – OS grid reference SK397248), Botany Bay (Enfield – OS grid reference TQ299 992), Sydney (Cheshire – OS grid reference SJ726565), New Zealand (Wiltshire – OS grid reference SU011773), Christchurch (Dorset – OS grid reference SZ153926) or Wellington (Telford – OS grid reference SJ646122).

Using Ordnance Survey maps – where else can you visit on your world tour without leaving Great Britain?

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By Holly, 29, September, 2011 8:00 am

Bala is the largest natural body of water in Wales.

Today we have a guest walk of the week from Andrew White from Walks Around Britain. Today we’re going to be climbing above Bala to get the best view of Wales’ largest natural lake.

Distance: 5 miles (8km)
Minimum time: 3hrs
Ascent/gradient :656ft (200m)
Level of difficulty: Medium
Paths: Woodland and field paths, 8 stiles
Landscape: Woods and upland pasture
Ordnance Survey map: OS Explorer OL23 Cadair Idris & Llyn Tegid
Start/finish: SH 929361
Dog friendliness: Dogs should be on leads at all times
Parking: Car park at entrance to Bala town from east
Public toilets: At car park

From the car park in Bala, go to the north east side to join the riverside path, turning right to follow a raised embankment along the west bank of the Tryweryn. Once through a turn to the right, which passes through two kissing gates, the footpath continues, first by the banks of the Tryweryn, then by the north banks of the Dee. On reaching the road by Bala’s lake, Llyn Tegid, turn left then right along the Llangower road.

Go through a kissing gate to cross a small field to Bala Station on Bala Lake Railway.  A footbridge enables the railway line to be crossed before traversing two small fields. Turn right along a track behind the Bala Lake Hotel. Here, a way marker points the direction up a bank of grass on the left, with the path continuing south west, along with a fence on the right.

After crossing a stream, next to a little cottage on the right-hand side, the route comes upon an area of rough pastureland with outcrops of rock, rushes and bracken. Here the footpath on the ground all but disappears.  Ascend half left to reach the fence line at the top, then aim for a ladder stile in the middle distance. Turn left along the tarred lane just before that ladder stile.  Where the road ends take the right fork track that ploughs through a recently felled conifer plantation.

On reaching the whitewashed house of Encil y Coed, turn left off the track to climb the left-hand one of two ladder stiles, then follow a grooved grass track heading north across high pastures. Where the track bends to the right leave it to descend steeply to another ladder stile. The well-waymarked path continues north, with Bala town directly ahead. Go over a partially hidden step stile into the Coed Pen-y-Bont forestry plantation. A narrow footpath descends to the bottom edge of the woods and don’t go on the forestry track on the way down.
At the bottom of the woods, turn right along a track which meets the road by the Pen-y-Bont Campsite.
Turn left along the road, walking back towards the town, then turn left again to follow the lakeside footpath past the information centre. Turning right on the main road heads back towards the town centre.

Have you been to this area? What were your highlights of your trip?

Photograph: Trevor Rickard via Geograph

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By Holly, 27, September, 2011 11:05 am

Given the current cost of petrol and diesel you wouldn’t be on your own if you were looking for an alternative to using your car to get to work. There are many others out there who are looking to take to two wheels rather than four for their daily commute. Today on the Ordnance Survey blog we’re going to look at commuting by bike.

First of all, let’s state the obvious – you’re going to need a bike. If you don’t already have one – you could go to your local cycle shop and make your purchase using your savings or you could buy one through the Bike 2 Work scheme, part of the Governments Green transport plan that is designed to encourage more environmentally friendly travel and promote the health benefits of a more active lifestyle. The scheme enables you to buy a bike using an interest free loan through your employer whilst saving up to 52% on the cost of the bike at the same time. The premise of the scheme, for those of you not already aware of it is this:

1. You ask your employer to register to the scheme.
2. You visit one of the accredited Bike 2 Work scheme retailers and get a quotation from them for the bike / accessories you require.
3. You give the quotation to your employer for them to authorise it.
4. Your employer provides the Bike 2 Work scheme with the authorisation for your purchase.
5. Your employer makes a payment to Bike 2 Work based on the quotation you provided them with.
6. You receive vouchers from Bike 2 Work to make your purchase at the relevant bike shop.
7. You then start making your interest free payments to your employer.

If like me, you’re not sure about which type of bike is right for the kind of cycling you’re going to be doing – fear not! Help is at hand. I’ve come across a great website called The Cycling Commuter that provides advice on what types of bikes you need and all the other accessories that you should consider getting. There is also some great advice in the Ordnance Survey magazine too.

Alongside the bike – the other things that you should consider investing in include a helmet, clothing that makes you visible to other road users, security for your bike and lights.

Once you are all kitted out all that is left is to plan your route – this isn’t necessarily going to be the same one that you would have driven. Have a look at the OS getamap application to plan your route – you may find that there is a traffic free cycle route that you could take.

So that’s you sorted for your commute into work – so get on your bike!

Do you already commute to work on your bike? What tips would you offer to someone who is thinking of starting to commute on a bike?

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By Holly, 26, September, 2011 8:00 am

With an Ordnance Survey map you can see what's otherwise hidden from view.

Have you ever walked down the street or driven down a road and wondered what was the other side of that wall or just behind that hill? Has curiosity got the better of you? Today on the Ordnance Survey blog we’re going to look at how to discover those secret places!

Back in 2008 we had a stand at the Innocent Village Fete in Regents Park. The main part of our stand was a map of London. London is one of those cities where many people have no sense of direction in it as they use the map of the underground system to navigate by. Now there is nothing wrong with using the tube map – if it is a journey by tube that you are taking – but to understand the geography of London you need to see a proper map! It was amazing the comments that we received about the map – “I never knew there was a park that close to where I live” or “I always get the tube there but I could walk it – it’s not far” and so on. That weekend in London it was as thought we’d opened the eyes of people to a city that up until that time had been kept hidden from them.

If you want to see what is behind the wall, over the hedge or around the other side of the hill – get yourself a map. Suddenly everything will become clear. Whether in a city urban sprawl or out in the countryside – you’ll be amazed at what a map will tell you. It could be a monument, a stately home, the name of a wood or a pond you weren’t aware was there.

What have you found on a map in your local area that you didn’t realise was there?

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By Holly, 21, September, 2011 8:00 am

Where do you like to go walking in the autumn?

This week we’re not going to give you one walk of the week – we’re going to give you several to choose from. This week we’ve asked the Ordnance Survey Corporate Design team where their favourite autumnal walks are so we can share them with you.

Our Corporate Design team work across the organisation offering design, publishing and photography support. They are based in our head office in Southampton.

Given where we’re based – it’s no surprise that the New Forest National Park has come out as a firm favourite of places to walk in the autumn. Particular favorite locations in the New Forest are the Blackwater Arboretum on Rhinefield Drive near Brockenhurst (OS grid reference SU265048) and round by Eyeworth Pond (OS grid reference SU226148).

“I like the Blackwater Arboretum on Rhinefield Drive, near Brockenhurst. It’s an easy going stroll for all ages with a good mixture of tree types. ”
John Higgins, Graphic Designer

 

“When it comes to autumnal walks, I think the New Forest is hard to beat. The northern part of the forest is always quieter than the south part but just as beautiful. My Grandad introduced me to a walk that starts at Eyeworth Pond (SU2214). Here is a car park right next to the large pond and one can feed the Mallard Ducks, Canada Geese and other waterfowl. This is also a nice place for a picnic.

From here we used to head north-east along the south bank of the pond where we would come to the Irons Well on the left. This spring is coloured red by iron salts and was once used by a gunpowder factory near by. Its waters were also thought to contain restorative properties. From here we would follow the bridleway onto open heathland and then follow the road (B3078)  that’s heading towards the right. Taking the next right we’d head towards the village of Fritham where the Royal Oak pub is. From here it’s back down the hill to where we started from”
Gary Tull, Technical Author

For those wanting somewhere a bit further north for their autumnal walk – Michael Stacey, Graphic Designer, suggests Ingleton on the Yorkshire Dales.

“Starting at Ingleton in the Yorkshire Dales, take the path northwards alongside the River Twiss. This is wooded for much of its length and you pass numerous waterfalls on the way, including Thornton Force. Take the track to Twisleton Hall and then to Beezleys and follow the path down the River Doe, again wooded for much of its length with more waterfalls. You end up back in Ingleton. In the autumn you get the combination of waterfalls and autumnal colours and on a bright sunny day (!!) it’s well worth the effort.”

For Julie Buck-Rogers, graphic designer and keen surfer, it’s Baggy Point, North Devon that has the appeal in autumn. This is because – if the surf isn’t up – it’s a lovely coastal walk!

So that’s some suggestions from our graphic designers in the Corporate Design and Publishing team – where are your favourite autumnal walks? Wherever you go for your walk – don’t forget to take your Ordnance Survey map with you!

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By Holly, 19, September, 2011 8:00 am

There is a Trailblaze route along part of the South West Coast Path

If you’ve been exploring some of the national trails this summer you may have noticed some white metal boxes along the way with the image of red flames on it. The boxes are part of self guided trail running routes along the national trails that enable the runner to check in at the check points to log their times.

Trailblaze have set courses on several of the national trails including the South West Coast Path, Pennine Way and Offa’s Dyke Path with the support of Natural England. After registering in advance, the runner is provided with a timing tag that must be inserted into each of the checkpoints along the route – this is then fed into an online leader board that you can check when you get home.

There are different levels of trails available to test your stamina and skill ranging from moderate, difficult and hard through to severe and extreme! Each of the trails differ in terrain but the ultimate aim, wherever you do one of the trails is to go the furthest you can, under your own steam and in one go! The routes are all shown on their website using our OS OpenSpace mapping API so you can judge which is better suited to your ability.

The routes are open for you to try all day, every day – and if you tackle one that goes on one of the national trails (denoted by the National Trails logo of an acorn) 20% of your entry fee is donated to maintaining the upkeep of the 2 500 miles of National Trails in Great Britain.

Have you done any of the Trailblaze routes? If so – how did you get on? Which other national trails and long distance routes would you like to see a trail running route set up on?