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By Gemma, 28, November, 2011 8:00 am

The New Forest offers miles of traffic free cycle routes

Today on the Ordnance Survey blog we’re going to talk about traffic free cycle routes. In Great Britain we’re blessed with 10 000 miles of traffic free cycle routes and today we’re going to share our top five locations with you.

Traffic free cycle routes are denoted on Ordnance Survey maps in one of two ways – first there is a trail of orange circles and the other is a red number in a clear box – denoting that it is part of the national cycle network.

The following are our top five locations for traffic free cycling in Great Britain – do you agree with our choices?

1. Peak District
   The Peak District offers miles of traffic free cycle routes including disused railway lines and some parts of the Trans Pennine Trail. Visit Peak District offers a selection of downloadable routes that take in quiet country lanes and traffic free routes.
2. Edinburgh
   There are some great traffic free cycle routes around the Scottish capital and surrounding area. Sustrans offers a downloadable guide to some of these routes that will take you around Edinburgh, Fife and the central borders area.
3. New Forest
   There are some great traffic free routes that go across the New Forest National Park. Whilst you may not have cars to deal with – you may come across the occasional New Forest pony on your route! With the area not being known for its hills – the relatively flat terrain is great for gentle cyclists like me!
4. Brecon Beacons
   The Brecon Beacons have 6 dedicated traffic cycle routes that offer distances suitable for half day and full day rides.
5. London
   There are some great stretches of traffic free cycling in London. There are large parts of the Thames Path that you can cycle along without the fear of a taxi, bendy bus or anything else getting in your way.

So these are our top 5 suggestions for traffic free cycling in Great Britain – where are your favourite routes?

Photograph: Gillian Moy via Geograph

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By Holly, 29, December, 2010 9:30 am

That’s it then – Christmas is over for another year. As we get ready to say goodbye to 2010 we thought we’d take you through some of the traditions associated with New Year and ways you could celebrate seeing in 2011.

Did you know it’s only been since 1752 that 1 January has been considered as New Years Day in the United Kingdom? We’ve actually bee quite late adopters of this date – the first to take it as New Years Day were the Venetians back in 1522. Prior to 1 January – it was 1 March that was thought of as New Year.

New Years Eve is considered a night for celebration across the country. Alongside the private parties that are held there are public celebrations – most notably in Edinburgh with the celebration of Hogmanay. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Party is described as the largest New Year celebration in the world that this years starts on 30 December 2010 and concludes on 2 January 2011. The fun starts with a torchlight procession along the Royal Mile. The party then continues with concerts, fireworks and street parties.

Fireworks are a popular way of celebrating New Years Eve. Photograph from Shutterstock.

Continue reading 'How to welcome in 2011 with style'»