New-look OS maps retain their familiar contours

An atmospheric picture showing deer grazing in a wintry landscape and an image of an iconic church are featured on the covers of new Ordnance Survey (OS) maps.

The deer image, taken by Christine Ross of Ashford, was selected to grace the front of the new OS Explorer map covering the Ashford, Headcorn, Chilham and Wye areas.

The photograph of Fairfield Church on Romney Marsh by Russell Dawson from Bournemouth appears on the cover of the map that takes in Romney Marsh, Rye, Winchelsea, New Romney and Tenterden.

Both were selected from photographs entered in the OS photofit competition that was looking for eye-catching pictures from across the south east to be used on the covers of the new range of maps. The competition attracted more than 12,000 entries from amateur photographers.

Over the next 12 months OS is to replace all 607 of its current paper map titles in the OS Explorer, OS Landranger and OS Tour series with a new design and an additional mobile download of the map that can be accessed for no extra cost.

The Outdoor Leisure maps, which cover all of Britain’s national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty, will come with an iOS and Androidcompatible download of the area covered by the map.

The move follows last year’s announcement that sales of OS paper maps had increased for the first time in a decade.

Lee Newton, head of Ordnance Survey Leisure, said: “People are once again recognising the vital role which OS paper maps play in supporting digital devices. There’s always been an emotional attachment to the iconic design and the feel of them in your hands, but the detail contained in OS Explorer and OS Landranger maps give users greater security and reassurance when outside exploring.

“They fit in your back pocket, work without a battery and do not need a signal.

“OS is fully committed to paper maps, just as it is fully committed to up-to-date accurate map- ping, and mapping every inch of the country in fine detail. It is clear to us that the paper map has an exciting future.”

For more information, visit www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/ about/news/2015/paper-maprevolution.html

The OS maps for Ashford and Romney Marsh