Quiz Monkey
What do you want to know?
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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.
| Name used since 1979 for OS 1:50 000 series maps (designed for motorists and general use) |
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Landranger |
| Name used since 1994 for OS 1:25 000 series maps (designed for walkers, cyclists and other outdoor leisure activities) |
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Explorer |
| Name used (1979–94) for the previous series of 1:25 000 maps |
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Pathfinder |
The following abbreviations are used on both 1:25 000 and 1:50 000 maps:
| BP |
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Boundary Post |
| BS |
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Boundary Stone |
| CG |
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Cattle Grid |
| CH |
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Clubhouse |
| Cvt |
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Convent |
| ELDR |
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European Long Distance Route |
| FB |
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Footbridge |
| HPO |
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Head Post Office |
| LB Sta |
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Lifeboat station |
| LC |
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Level Crossing |
| MHW |
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Mean High Water |
| MLW |
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Mean Low Water |
| MP |
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Milepost |
| MS |
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Milestone |
| PC |
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Public Convenience |
| PH |
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Public House |
| PO |
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Post Office |
| Rec |
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Rectory |
| Sch |
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School |
| TA |
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Territorial Army |
| TH |
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Town Hall |
| Vic |
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Vicarage |
| W |
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Well |
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) |
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Youth Hostel |
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Bunkhouse, Camping Barn, or other hostel |
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Bus or Coach Station |
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Triangulation Pillar (trig point) |
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Lighthouse |
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Disused lighthouse |
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Windmill |
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Wind Pump or Wind Turbine |
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Heliport |
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Place of Worship |
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Church with Tower |
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Church with Spire, Minaret or Dome |
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Site of Antiquity |
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Site of Battle (with date) |
The following symbols are used on the Explorer series only:
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Theme Park or Pleasure Park |
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Preserved Railway |
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Public House |
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Craft Centre |
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Horse Riding |
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Fishing |
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Museum |
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Castle or Fort |
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Country Park |
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Water Activities |
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Cathedral or Abbey |
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Heritage Centre |
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National Trust property |
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English Heritage property |
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