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Our Map Scale Guide
Below you will find a comparison as to how the mapping looks at different scales. This hopefully will give you an idea of how much easier the maps are to read at the 1:16 000, 1:20 000 and 1:40 000 scales.
Walking Maps using Ordnance Surveys 1:25 000 data
Ordnance Survey's 1:25 000 scale mapping is highly detailed and designed for outdoor activities such as walking, running and hiking. It is also useful for cycling and especially mountain biking. At this scale, 2.5” on the map represents 1 mile on the ground. It is known for its precision and considered the best in the world. It provides an exceptional level of detail, including footpaths, permissive paths, bridleways, field boundaries and individual buildings. It also shows the natural topography such as rivers, woodland and contours which indicate the terrain’s elevation and steepness. All of these features make navigation a whole lot easier which after all is the main purpose of a map. It also offers a lot more in terms of public rights of way, other public access, and marks many recreational routes and trails. The OS Legend is extensive and covers items such as gravel pits right through to bus stations with a large section covering tourist and leisure information.
1:25 000
1:20 000
1:16 000
Cycling Maps & Atlases using Ordnance Surveys 1:50 000 data
Ordnance Survey's 1:50 000 scale mapping is a versatile and detailed map which is ideal for outdoor activities such as cycling, driving and walking, where the enhanced detail of the 25 000 is not so important. At this scale, 1.25” on the map represents 1 mile on the ground, striking a balance between broad coverage and sufficient detail. It covers large areas, making it ideal for exploring broader regions and planning longer routes. These maps show key features like roads, railways, rivers, forests, and urban areas, as well as important landmarks and tourist attractions. Contour lines indicate the terrain's shape and elevation, helping users understand the topography.
Though not as detailed as the 1:25 000 mapping, these maps are still detailed enough to show paths, National Trails, Long Distance Footpaths and cycle routes, both on and off road and traffic-free, as well as the National Cycle Network.
1:50 000
1:40 000