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Quiz Monkey |
Geography |
Map Symbols |
Abbreviations |
Roads, Paths and Boundaries |
Tourist Information |
Gradients |
General Information |
1:25 000 (Explorer) |
1:50 000 (Landranger) |
This is my selection of the symbols and abbreviations used on UK Ordnance Survey maps – those that are not too obvious and not too obscure.
For a full list (in downloadable pdf form) please go to the Ordnance Survey website.
The following abbreviations are used on both 1:25 000 and 1:50 000 maps:
The following symbols are actually taken from the Explorer information. The Landranger series uses the same symbols, except where indicated below.
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Motorway |
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Dual Carriageway |
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Main Road (A-road) |
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Secondary Road (B-road) |
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Minor Road (unnumbered) |
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Footpath (right of way) |
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Bridleway |
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National Boundary |
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County Boundary |
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National Park Boundary |
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Visitor Centre |
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Recreation / Leisure / Sports Centre |
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Camp Site |
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Caravan Site |
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Golf Course |
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Viewpoint |
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Walks / Trails |
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Nature Reserve |
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Picnic Site |
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Garden or Arboretum |
One chevron means a gradient of at least |
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14% (1 in 7) |
Two chevrons mean a gradient of at least |
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20% (1 in 5) |
The following symbols are used on the Explorer series only:
The symbols for roads on 1:50 000 Landranger maps are essentially the same as those for 1:25 000 Explorer maps (see above), but this one is extra:
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Primary Route |
A Primary Route is an important A road.
Landranger maps use a different colour for footpaths from the Explorer:
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Footpath |
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Bridleway |
The Landranger also uses a different colour from the Explorer for National Park boundaries :
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National Park Boundary |
© Haydn Thompson 2017–21