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Gear Guide: Walking Socks
Having the right walking socks will prevent blisters, regulate foot temperature and wick away moisture, helping you extend your favourite walks. This guide from Bridgedale will help you choose the perfect pair to keep your tootsies comfortable all day long.
What makes you a runner? My experience with Imposter Syndrome in running
What makes you a runner? OS Champion Crystal Silver talks openly about her imposter syndrome in running despite being an experienced marathon and ultra runner!
Outdoorsy Christmas Gift Ideas from Ordnance Survey Champions!
Need some Christmas Gift Inspiration? Our OS Champions have picked out some great outdoorsy gift ideas for your adventure loving friends and family
Fun Outdoor Kids Activities: Route Planning & Navigation Challenge
Set your kids a fun navigation challenge with their own personalised Ordnance Survey Map! Get kids outdoors and having fun learning about their environment in this fun kids outdoor activity idea.
OS Test The Best Lightweight Head Torch – Silva Smini & Smini Fly
Our intrepid OS Champions review the NEW Smini Headtorch and Smini Fly Headtorch - take a look at their in depth reviews
Glyndwr’s Way Circular Walks
Glyndŵr’s Way is a 135-mile (217 km) long National Trail that meanders through the stunning landscapes of mid-Wales. From historic towns and open moorland to rolling farmland and enchanting woodlands, this trail is perfect for all nature lovers.
Nature Walk Bingo Free Printable
Challenge your kids to spot everything on our OS Nature Walk Bingo sheet. This is great for keeping younger kids interested in going a little further on your next walk.
Monday’s are for Mountains – meet Solo Hiker Claire Edwards
A Life More Adventurous: meet Claire Edwards, a solo hiker who shares her story and some great advice and routes for anyone wanting to go it alone in the mountains
Circular Routes from the Offa’s Dyke Path by Rail
Rail2Trail: Offa's Dyke Circular Walking Routes Accessible by Rail - we have a collection of 7 great short circular walks from Chepstow to Prestatyn!
Wild Swimming Safety – Keep safe whilst wild swimming
Wild Swimming Safety - Are you worried about trying wild swimming? Learn how to keep safe when wild wild swimming with our OS Champions
Nature Gifts for Kids
Nature Gifts for Kids - OS Curated gift ideas for children who love to explore the outdoors and enjoy nature, give the gift of adventure
A ‘Wee Dook’ – Eco Adventuring with the Red Equipment Pro Change EVO
Join OS Champion Gee Jackson as takes this brand new changing robe through it's paces in her Red Equipment Pro Change EVO review
Mountain Rescue’s accident black spots
Mountain Rescue England and Wales share with us a handful of accident black spots across Britain, in which they are often called to, and how you can stay safe when visiting these areas.
Winter Hiking Tips from Mountain Rescue – Staying Safe in the Dark
As the days get shorter it's important to take extra precautions when getting outside. Mountain Rescue share their expert advice for staying safe in the dark.
Planning a walking route in 5 easy steps
The Best Walking Route Planner and Guide to planning your own walking route Jonathan from the OS Team outlines how you can get started and find new walking routes with the help of a walking route planner.
Let’s celebrate hills and mountains named after boobs!
Hills named after Boobs! A list of hills and mountains in the British Isles that are named after or shaped like breasts...
Open Water Swimming in Llyn Padarn with the Suunto S Race Watch
Oen water swimming in Llyn Padarn with the Suunto Race S - OS Champion Liz Asad puts this waterproof smart watch to the test!
Which GPS device do you need?
If you’re considering buying a GPS device, you’ll be probably be comparing dozens of models with hundreds of features. Here’s our guide to finding the best GPS. We look at handheld and wearable GPS devices for walking, hiking, running, cycling and off-grid adventures.
Beacons Way Ultra with Suunto Race S
Suunto Race S Review - Tracy out this performance watch to the ultimate test on the Beacons Way Ultra
How to Avoid Blisters When Hiking
How to avoid blisters when hiking! Learn how to ensure you don't get a blister on your next hike
Gift Ideas for Hikers (that they’ll really love!)
Gift ideas for hikers that they will really love! We have handpicked perfect gifts for hikers to make your gifting decisions easy!
Most Popular National Parks: Britain’s favourite routes
Most popular National Parks in Britain! Using real Ordnance Survey Data we compile a list of Britain's top route locations for outdoor adventures.
Best Christmas Gifts for Outdoor Lovers
Stuck on what to gift this Christmas? The Ordnance Survey team share their best Christmas gifts for outdoor lovers. So, whether they're dog walker, wild swimmer or adventure seeker, there's a present for everyone.
Embracing Eco-Adventure: Sustainable Outdoor Pursuits in the UK
Ordnance Survey Champion Isaac Kenyon will be exploring what an eco-adventure is, share best practices for eco-friendly outings, highlight destinations that prioritise sustainability, and offer tips for reducing your environmental footprint while exploring the great outdoors in the UK.
Lake District Paddle Boarding: 15 great spots to launch
Lake District Paddle Boarding - Where to launch a paddle board in the lake district. Expert paddler Jo Moseley shares 20 great spots to launch a paddle board in the Lake District
OS Test The Best: Lightweight Running Jacket
OS TEST THE BEST Lightweight Running Jacket: Mac In A Sac Venture Ultralite Running Jacket Review. Our OS Champions have been putting this new hiking and running jacket through its paces.
Is Wild Camping Legal in England & Wales?
Is wild camping legal in England and Wales and can you get into trouble wild camping? Read our advice and wild camping code
Hiking Poles Guide – Everything you need to know about choosing the right walking poles!
Hiking Poles - a complete guide to hiking poles including a look at all the main features and how to use hiking poles when walking
Hiking Checklist
There's a fine line between having the right equipment to keep you safe and comfortable on a walk and being so weighed down with unnecessary kit you'll struggle. Our hiking checklist will help you get kitted out with essential gear for a long day on the trail and tell you what to take on a walk.
A Bridleway Map in Your Pocket: Ten of the Best BHS Horse Riding Routes
Top 10 Bridleways in the UK! Whether you’re asking: ‘where are the bridleways near me?’ or planning a hack further afield, the British Horse Society’s riding routes are a fantastic resource!
Beginners guide to choosing a GPS device
Would you like to use a walking, running or cycling GPS device to make your outdoor activities easier, safer or more fun but don't know where to start? This GPS guide looks at different features and functions to help you choose a GPS device most suited to you.
Walking Around Glastonbury Festival – top tips from our team!
Walking Around Glastonbury Festival - Top tips from our team on navigating your way around Glasto!
How Can Festivals Be More Sustainable?
How can festivals be more sustainable? Take a look at 5 festivals that are taking sustainability seriously
British Wildflowers to Spot on Your Next Countryside Walk
British Wildflowers - 10 common varieties of wildflower you will find when walking in the UK.
Hiking for Beginners – A Complete Guide
Hiking for beginners, a complete guide to hiking safety, hiking fitness and the best UK Routes for beginners
Breeding Bird Surveys – Mapping the story of birds
Bird Breeding Survey and Methodology - OS Analyst Nichaphat Sukontason writes about running a Breeding Bird Survey around Ordnance Survey HQ and shows you how you can get involved.
Mountain Safety in the Summer
Mountain Safety: Ordnance Survey, Mountain Rescue England and Wales and the Met Office join forces to offer some great advice on summer safety in the mountains.
Tour of Britain Cycling Challenges
Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Women is in June. OS and British Cycling have picked out four Mountain climbs for you and your friends to challenge yourselves.
Ben Nevis Summit: Discover the best walking routes to the top
Unlock the secrets of Ben Nevis with our comprehensive guide to the best walking routes to the top. Discover breathtaking paths, where to park, and essential information about facilities, terrain and difficulty.
Autumn Walking Guide
As we get into autumn the clothing and equipment you need for walking and hiking changes too. Here's a guide handy guide on autumn walking gear
Wet weather gear guide
Don't get caught out by the rain, be prepared for your next walk with this wet weather gear guide.
Summer gear guide for outdoor adventures
IIn this summer gear guide, we ask the Ordnance Survey team about their best outdoor product for this summer and how it helps them enjoy their time outside.
Free Map Reading Guides
Brush up on your map reading skills with these free guides from National Map Reading Week suitable for total beginners, expert navigators and even kids.
Which compass is best for me?
In some sense, all compasses do the same job but not everyone uses them for the same purpose. There are many different models with variations in features, accuracy and functionality. We take a look at some of the best on the market to help you decide which compass is right for you.
Advice from Mountain Rescue
Mountain Rescue England and Wales share their expert advice to help you stay safe outdoors. Find out how to plan ahead, stay safe on the hills and how to call Mountain Rescue in an emergency.
Planning a long distance walk
There’s nothing more exciting than heading out the door on an adventure, especially walking a long-distance path. Here's everything you need to know to walk one of Britain's National or Regional trails or, plan your own multi-day route.
Map reading skills – beginner’s guides
These simple beginner's guides will teach you the basics of map reading so you can learn how to read a map. Includes a selection of short videos to help you brush up on your map reading skills.
Beginners guide to using a compass
Even with a GPS in your phone, it's important to know how to use a compass just in case technology fails or visibility is poor. Here's a step-by-step beginner's guide to using a compass, so you can learn the basics of how to navigate with a map.
A beginners guide to measuring distance on a map
Measuring distance is a key tool in map reading and is especially useful for hikers and cyclists who want to measure how far they have travelled or how far they wish to go. Learn how to easily measure distance on a map with our quick and simple guide.
8 of the best spring hiking escapes for Londoners
OS Champion Alex Middleton shows us how accessible outdoor spaces are from London. Here's 8 of his favourite spots for hiking near London which are all within 90 minutes from the capital city. All these routes make a great spring walk.
Gear Guide: Head torches
During winter and autumn and on overnight trips you’ll need a light to see where you’re going and what you’re doing. This gear guide tells you all you need to know about headtorches to help you choose the perfect one for you.
10 best spring walks
Whether you’re looking to find beautiful bluebells, delicious wild garlic, or cute newborn lambs, our 10 best spring walks will help you do just that.
Free maps to colour in
Looking for something stress-busting? These maps for colouring in are available as a free PDF download to print at home or use on a digital device app such as Procreate or Photoshop.