OS Map Symbols

Understanding OS Map Symbols

Ordnance Survey (OS) map symbols are a crucial aspect of British cartography, providing a standardised method to represent various physical and human-made features on maps. These symbols are designed to be intuitive and consistent, allowing users to easily interpret information about the landscape, infrastructure, and land use.

Categories of Symbols

OS symbols are categorised into several groups, such as transportation (roads, railways), natural features (rivers, forests), buildings (schools, churches), and land use (farms, parks). Each category uses distinct symbols and colours to enhance readability.

Evolution of Symbols

Over time, OS symbols have evolved to incorporate modern elements such as cycle routes and tourist attractions. This evolution ensures that maps remain relevant and useful for contemporary users, adapting to changes in landscape and technology.

Importance in Navigation

OS symbols play a vital role in navigation and planning. By providing detailed and precise information, they help hikers, urban planners, and emergency services to understand and navigate the terrain effectively. The clarity and accuracy of these symbols contribute to the reliability of OS maps, making them an indispensable tool for various applications.

Educational Value

Learning OS map symbols is an essential skill in geography education. It aids in developing spatial awareness and understanding of geographic information systems (GIS). Educational institutions often incorporate OS maps and symbols into their curriculum to teach students about map reading and interpretation.

View and download your OS Map here

Communications

Roads & Paths

(Not necessarily rights of way)

	SERVICE AREA
	JUNCTION NUMBER
	MOTORWAY
	DUAL CARRIAGEWAY
	MAIN ROAD
	SECONDARY ROAD
	NARROW ROAD WITH PASSING PLACES
	ROAD UNDER CONSTRUCTION
	ROAD GENERALLY MORE THAN 4M WIDE
	ROAD GENERALLY LESS THAN 4M WIDE
	OTHER ROAD, DRIVE OR TRACK, FENCED & UNFENCED
	GRADIENT: STEEPER THAN 20% (1 IN 5), 14% (1 IN 7) TO 20%(1 IN 5)
	FERRY; FERRY P - PASSENGER ONLY
	PATH

Railways

	MULTIPLE TRACK / SINGLE TRACK STANDARD GAUGE
	NARROW GAUGE OR LIGHT RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM (LTRS) & STATION
	ROAD OVER; ROAD UNDER; LEVEL CROSSING
	CUTTING; TUNNEL; EMBANKMENT
	STATION, OPEN TO PASSENGERS; SIDING

Public Rights of Way 

(Rights of way are not shown on maps in Scotland)

	FOOTPATH
	BRIDLEWAY
	BYWAY OPEN TO ALL TRAFFIC
	RESTRICTED BYWAY (NOT FOR USE BY MECHANICALLY PROPELLED VEHICLES)

Other Public Access

	OTHER ROUTE WITH PUBLIC ACCESS (NOT NORMALLY SHOWN IN URBAN AREAS*
	RECREATIONAL ROUTE
	ALTERNATIVE ROUTE (ENGLAND COAST PATH ONLY)
	NATIONAL TRAIL
	SCOTLAND'S GREAT TRAILS
	TRAFFIC - FREE CYCLE ROUTE
	NATIONAL CYCLE NETWORK ROUTE NUMBER - TRAFFIC FREE
	NATIONAL CYCLE NETWORK ROUTE NUMBER - ON ROAD
	PERMISSIVE BRIDLEWAY**
	PERMISSIVE FOOTPATH**

*The exact nature of the rights of these routes and the existence of any restrictions may be checked with the local highway authority. 

**Footpaths and bridleways along which landowners have permitted public use but which are not rights of way.

SCOTLAND

	NATIONAL TRUST FOR SCOTLAND, (ALWAYS OPEN / LIMITED OPENING - OBSERVE LOCAL SIGNS)
	FORESTRY COMMISSION LAND (NORMALLY OPEN -  OBSERVE LOCAL SIGNS) / WOODLAND TRUST LAND

ENGLAND & SCOTLAND

FIRING & TEST RANGES IN THE AREA. DANGER! OBSERVE WARNING NOTICES.

Access Land & Coastal Margin

ENGLAND 

	COASTAL MARGIN
	ACCESS LAND
	ACCESS INFORMATION POINT
	ACCESS LAND IN WOODLAND AREA

General Information

Vegetation

(Limits of vegetation are defined by the positioning of symbols)

	CONIFEROUS TREES
	NON-CONIFEROUS TREES
	COPPICE
	SCRUB
	BRACKEN, HEATH OR ROUGH GRASSLAND
	MARSH, REEDS OR SALTINGS

General Features

	PLACE OF WORSHIP
	CURRENT OR FORMER PLACE OF WORSHIP WITH TOWER
	CURRENT OR FORMER PLACE OF WORSHIP WITH SPIRE, MINARET OR DOME
	BUILDING; IMPORTANT BUILDING
	GLASSHOUSE
	YOUTH HOSTEL
	BUNKHOUSE / CAMPING BARN / OTHER HOSTEL
	BUS OR COACH STATION
	LIGHTHOUSE; DISUSED LIGHTHOUSE; BEACON
	TRIANGULATION PILLAR; MAST
	WINDMILL WITH OR WITHOUT SAILS
	WINDPUMP; WIND TURBINE
	ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION LINE
	SLOPES
	WELL; SPRING
	BOUNDARY POST/STONE
	CATTLE GRID
	CLUBHOUSE
	FOOTBRIDGE
	MILEPOST; MILESTONE
	MONUMENT
	POST OFFICE
	POLICE STATION
	SCHOOL
	TOWN HALL
	NORMAL TIDAL LIMIT
	GRAVEL PIT
	OTHER PIT OR QUARRY
	SAND PIT
	LANDFILL SITE OR SLAG / SPOIL HEAP

Boundaries

	NATIONAL
	COUNTY (ENGLAND)
	UNITARY AUTHORITY , METROPOLITAN DISTRICT, LONDON BOROUGH OR DISTRICT
	CIVIL PARISH (CP) (ENGLAND) OR COMMUNITY (C) (WALES)
	NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY

Heights & Natural Features

	CONTOURS (MAY BE AT 5 OR 10M VERTICAL INTERVAL)
	SCREE
	OUTCROP
	BOULDERS
	LOOSE ROCK
	GROUND SURVEY HEIGHT
	AIR SURVEY HEIGHT
	WATER
	MUD
	SAND; SAND & SHINGLE

Archeological & Historical Information

	SITE OF ANTIQUITY
	SITE OF BATTLE (WITH DATE)
	VISIBLE EARTHWORK
	ROMAN
	NON - ROMAN

All information on this table is provided by English Heritage for England & the Royal Commissions of the Ancient & Historical Monuments for Scotland & Wales.

Selected Tourist and Leasure information

	PARKING / PARK & RIDE, ALL YEAR / SEASONAL PARKING		THEME / PLEASURE PARK		HORSE RIDING
	INFORMATION CENTRE, ALL YEAR / SEASONAL		PRESERVED RAILWAY		VIEWPOINT
	VISITOR CENTRE		PUBLIC HOUSE/S		PICNIC SITE
	FORESTRY COMMISSION VISITOR CENTRE		CRAFT CENTRE		COUNTRY PARK
	PUBLIC CONVENIENCE		WALKS / TRAILS		GARDEN / ARBORETUM
	TELEPHONE, PUBLIC / ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE / EMERGENCY		CYCLE TRAIL		WATER ACTIVITIES
	CAMPSITE		MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL		SLIPWAY
	RECREATION / LEISURE / SPORTS CENTRE		CYCLE HIRE		BOAT TRIPS
	GOLF COURSE		HISTORIC SCOTLAND		BOAT HIRE
	VIEWPOINT		OTHER TOURIST FEATURE		NATURE RESERVE
	PICNIC SITE		FISHING		BOAT TRIPS
	GARDEN / ARBORETUM		WATER ACTIVITIES		SLIPWAY
	COUNTRY PARK		CATHEDRAL / ABBEY		MUSEUM
	NATIONAL TRUST		HERITAGE CENTRE		BUILDING OF HISTORIC INTEREST
	ENGLISH HERITAGE

All information above is provided and is a copyright of the ©Ordnance Survey.