Digital maps from the Ordnance Survey

When you buy an Ordnance Survey Map now it also comes with a free mobile download of the same map

It is easy to download from the OS site you just need to set up an account (free of charge) and then enter the code that comes with the map and then download it to your phone – either and iPhone or an Android.

And then you have a 1:25,000 map on your iPhone with full GPS functionality – i.e. your phone will show you exactly where you are. You can also plot routes to follow are record exactly where you have been.

Brilliant.

Three maps to explore Dartmoor with

When we were out on Saturday with the National Trust Wild Tribe 10 Tors teams I found the remains of this Ordnance Survey map buried deep within a hedge near Fernworthy.

I wonder what the story was behind this episode – was it an act or random littering or the consequences of some apocalyptic weather?  I will never know but lets hope everyone got home ok!

It made me think about Dartmoor maps – there are three main maps available for the walker – 2 OS maps – one at 1:50,000 and one at 1:25,000 (this one has more detail) and the Harvey map at 1:40,000 (scale in between the other two)

As you can see my purple 1:50,000 maps is rather old – bought for £2.20 from a bookshop in Sidwell Street that is long gone…. – still works perfectly well as Dartmoor doesn’t change that much – of course Okehampton will be a lot smaller than it currently is on my old map!

I suspect most people are familiar with the OS maps but maybe you haven’t seen the Harvey map – here is a bit of detail showing our land along the Plym Valley. The Harvey maps is good at pulling out the topography and making it understandable.

All three maps work perfectly well – assuming you can read a map ….. – I must say though that my map of choice is the OS 1:25,000.

Happy exploring whatever map you choose