OS maps for hiking- where to purchase

I've purchased OS maps right on Amazon , try again !

use the whole name - Ordnance Survey

Hi Must -

You can get OS maps from the US Amazon site. Type ‘ordnance survey maps U.K.’* into the search box. You will get lots of options, but the one you want for hiking is the ‘Explorer’ large scale map - they are the ones with the orangey-brown cover. The code of the map you want is marked in the top right hand corner in either a yellow or silver box.

You can search for the one you need by going to the Ordnance Survey website (U.K. site) looking at ‘shop’ and singling out ‘Explorer’ in the maps section. A search in the search box for ‘South Downs Way’ will show you the entire set of maps for the whole South Downs Way, but helpfully it gives you the reference numbers of the individual maps that cover the various walk stages.

Consider also Yellow Publications Zigzag maps (separate U.K. website). These I rather like - they are laminated, based on the OS maps, but a bit more pocket sized. They are however, strip maps, which which show only the route and the immediate area around it, so not as expansive as the original OS maps. The whole South Downs Way is covered by four maps - you probably would be looking at map 4 and possibly map 3. Not sure they are available mail order - those nice folk at Amazon might do them, but the U.K. site lists local retailers so you could pick one up when in situ (it’s a likely bet you’ll be able to buy OS maps from the same location).

If pushed into a corner, I’d go with the original OS maps. If you can get one in advance if will give you some time to learn how to read them, they are a mine of information!

*Lower case no full stops/periods - the forum website really doesn’t like you not using our ‘Sunday name’!

Ian

If you can't order them via Amazon in the US, you may be able to get them via Amazon UK.

Got the Explorer edition on US Amazon 😊 Thanks for the suggestions of 1. Spelling the words out and 2. Making me realize …My spelling was incorrect!
My feeble brain added an “i”, as in “ordinance” ….. at this point in life I just laugh at my mental hiccups!

Can’t wait to check it out when it arrives and even more so to use it when we go! Thanks to all of you for your incredible patience with inexperienced people like me! 😊

omnimap.com

I used to buy mine at Stanfords on Long Acre, but it has been a long time, and now I see it has moved to Covent Garden.

https://www.stanfords.co.uk/london-store

https://dash4it.co.uk/ is also a good source for walking maps etc

many folks also have the OS app (paid-for version) on their phone but you can't beat a good paper map.

A guide to the symbols (PDF document)

https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/mapzone/assets/doc/Explorer-25k-Legend-en.pdf

Stanfords is the real deal though - still.

They got their online section working well during covid too...

a very good store and website for everything travel and walking

I think I’ve gone down a huge rabbit hole looking at these various maps! 😊 So many beautiful places in the U.K. to hike. Ramblin’ on, thank you for that link to the symbols- that’s going to be a huge help!

We may pop into Stanfords while we are there just to check it out - and maybe stock up on other maps for future trips! Thanks to all of you!

take an extra helping of patience. The place has Everything, with a capital E.

Once you start browsing the clock stops and you will be mesmerised. (leave a bit of room in your luggage for that globe or book about a place that sounds wonderful but you've never heard of....

They do book signings too...

Just came across this post and thought I would weigh in. My wife and I are hiking the west section of the Ridgeway Path starting in Wiltshire (East Kennett). We had this same question as to how to get Ordnance Survey maps. While on their website we came across the application they developed and support called OS Maps. It is not a free app but they have some great deals going on. The beauty of using the Premium addition as your hiking navigation app is that it gives you access to download many of the Ordnance Survey maps which include those for all of England and others into the app. You can also customize the maps after loading. You can add waypoints, other locations off trail, etc. These are offline maps so you will only need the GPS to load your current location on the trail. They produce the app for both Apple and Android. I got mine from the Apple Store for iPhone and have already installed the Ordnance Survey map for the Ridgeway Path. You can also find informational how-to advice on YouTube.

I don't pretend to be an expert but certainly worth a look.

Apologies rambling’! Saw you mentioned the OS Maps earlier.