The renowned red-covered maps of the post-war period familiar to the more mature map user are listed here. The New Popular Edition Map of Great Britain was first published between 1945-7 in 114 sheets (England and Wales only), later replaced by the Seventh Series map of Great Britain between 1952-62 in 190 sheets. It was superseded by the adoption of a metric scale map by the OS, and the publication of the 1:50 000 (later the Landranger) map from 1974.
Adoption of the metric system by the OS in the 1960s resulted in the need for a new product to replace the much-loved one-inch map. After trialing a number of specifications, it was decided to adopt the 1:50 000 as the new scale and a new Magenta cover. The first 102 sheets were published in 1974 covering Britain south of the Hull - Preston line. All but three of these sheets were produced in a First Series.
The Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland (OSNI) began publishing sheets of what later became the Discoverer Series in 1978, shortly after the appearance of the 1:50 000 map in Great Britain. The Ordnance Survey of Ireland followed suit with the first of their Discovery sheets in 1988. Coverage of Ireland by the two series was completed in 1999.
Under construction.
[There were over 1,300 sheets in the Pathfinder series, so this is a long term project.]
This map is the latest incarnation of "2½-inch" map first introduced in 1946. The first experimental sheets were printed in 1994 and the series was soon chosen to replace the well known Pathfinder maps. Coverage of Great Britain was completed in March 2003. A new digital series is in production.
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Post-War Tourist and Touring Maps. An initial list of Post-War Tourist Maps and the modern Touring Map series. Sheet compilation historically derived from One-inch and 1:50 000 sources. |  | Post-War Road Maps. A checklist of 1:625 000 ("Ten-mile") and 1:250 000 ("Quarter-inch") roads maps. | ||
A copy of the "Ten-mile to the inch" Road Map of Great Britain published 1932. Showing Ministry of Transport Road Numbers and Classification.
Alan Godfrey Maps are publishing facsimile editions of one-inch map edition maps published in the late 19th and early 20th century. The sheets are exceptionally good quality reproduction at a staggeringly small price. New ones are published every month.
- A comprehensive cartobibliographical guide included for your information. Updated 13 July 2006.
- Bill Henwood's definitive listing of Landranger Map Bar Reprints. Updated 22 March 2008.
- A provisional listing of Landranger Map Cover designs. Updated 24 May 2007.
Searching for maps to purchase? Try David Archer Maps - OS maps from mid-Wales .- Ed Fielden's explanation of Ordnance Survey print codes, edition markings, and cover styles.
- Institut Géographique National (IGN). How the French do it.
- New Popular Maps. All the New Popular maps scanned and held on one site. Very addictive!
- The British Library information on Ordnance Survey maps.
Click here to explore ordnancemaps, the friendly and knowledgeable discussion group devoted to OS topics.