Over Christmas, I was actively looking for new ways to explore and go on adventures, while being a good boy and abiding with the Covid-19 restrictions currently in England. Adventures and exploring is an important part of my mental health – when I am physically able to do so.

Currently, as write this, Englands’ Covid restrictions mean that there is no limit to the amount of time of exercise anyone can do per day – just once a day. Which compared to other areas of the United Kingdom who are limited to an hour exercise per day, I am truly grateful for. Meaning that as long as it’s from your front door, you can cycle 24 miles if you want – or like me hike for a few hours in a haunting yet eerily beautiful winter landscape.

Step 1: Buy an OS Map

Source: OS.uk

Ordnance Survey has a range of maps available to you – however the two main varieties are ‘Explorer’ (Orange cover) or ‘Landranger’ (Pink cover) – as shown.

Each have their benefits depending on the type of adventure you are planning, however I personally prefer the Explorer version.

Now, surprisingly, the Ordnance Survey website itself isn’t the best place to purchase a map price wise.

But they do make it fantastically easy to find out which maps cover which areas of the UK.

Source OS.uk

Simply by visiting their Map Selector page, you can see which area a map covers and the nearby surrounding maps.

Once you know the map reference number, for example ‘Explorer 123’ or ‘Landranger 321’ – you can go to OS Maps Amazon Shop to find the map you wish. I was personally surprised that Ordnance Survey had it’s own shop on Amazon, and selling their maps cheaper via it than their own website – but this is a strange modern world we are living in.

By doing it this way, you’re saving yourself some dosh.

Step 2: Download the App

The hidden secret is the OS Map app. It is truly an amazing resource, that Ordnance Survey really should make more of a song and dance over.

Within your map, there is a sealed silver code that you can use to activate the purchased map accessible to you via the app – in all its glory. Not only does this make it easier for people who are visually impaired to read the map (by zooming way in), but it allows you to leave your map at home on those wet adventures, ensuring the map isn’t ruined on the route.

However, the best part of the app is their Route Finder as illustrated below. It has so many routes that others have supplied, allowing you to get inspired to a new location and adventure you hadn’t thought about before. Personally, this is worth the map investment alone. The more maps you purchase, the more you can link within the app.

Truly an awesome addition to the Ordnance Survey service in general. To be honest, I genuinely wish OS would make more of a marketing campaign about this. Heck, I’m ranting and raving about it, and I only stumbled upon this by accident.

So there is no excuse not to broaden your horizons in this lockdown. Especially when there are resources as powerful as this waiting to be used.

If OS do stumble across this, I am more than happy to help promote this for you – maybe a sponsorship? 😛