LANDRANGER MAP SERIES

 

The Library has received a detailed series of maps in three large bound volumes (FHL book ATLAS 942 E7lan). These maps are 1:50000 scale (approximately 1 inch to the mile). They follow the "National Grid System," which sets up standard reference numbers for specific locations on maps. It is necessary to have a basic understanding of the system used to help our guests easily access specific locations on the maps.

There is an index to places on the maps, which has been published in a separate book (FHL book Ref 942 E5o 1992). The book is titled "Gazetteer of Great Britain" 3rd edition. The book lists places in strict alphabetical order, giving a series of reference numbers, such as "GLON TQ 3097 51E29.9' 0E07.2'W X 176,177." Basically, the elements of the reference are county (GLON=Greater London), national grid reference, latitude and longitude, feature code, and sheet number. See page x of the attached for a fuller explanation of elements of the reference number.

The sheet number, or map number, tells you which "page" of the Atlas to turn to. The Atlas is divided into 3 volumes, as follows:

          Vol 1 - 1-68                               Vol 2 - 69-136                 Vol 3 - 137-204

There are 204 maps to the set. When more than one sheet number is given, the place appears on both sheets. This is because of the overlap between maps, which is intentional (so no places would be lost on the edges). Please note that the "national grid reference" has nothing to do with the sheet number. The national grid reference number is, however, the same no matter what the scale of the map. The sheet number will vary according to the scale of the map.

You can use a national grid reference from another atlas (such as Bartholomew's Gazetteer of Places in Britain - Ref 942 E5ba 1986 or the Ordnance Survey Gazetteer online at www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/freefun/didyouknow/, but would need to use the grid maps on pp. viii and xi (see attached) to get the sheet numbers.

The National Grid System has two levels. The two levels are grid letters (don't worry about where they came from) and grid numbers (do worry about where these came from). This system divides the world into squares identified by two letters. Each square is 100 kilometers (62+ miles) on each side. The letters assigned do not come from letters across the top and side of a map. They have been assigned in a way that is easier to accept than to understand. Just use them (see the grid letters assigned to England, Wales, and Scotland on page xi of the attached).

Each square is then divided into 10,000 small squares, each representing one square kilometer. These smaller squares are identified by a four digit number (0000 to 9999), which is actually two two-digit numbers expressed in kilometers. A specific location (within a kilometer) in a specific grid in identified by counting the kilometers from the lower left hand (southwest) corner of the grid. This determines the grid number that goes with the letters. The national grid reference used above (TQ 3097) will illustrate how the grid number is determined.

Both the distance east (horizontal, or to the right) and the distance north (vertical, or up) is given in kilometers. The national grid reference TQ 3097 denotes a place 30 kilometers east and 97 kilometers north of the lower left hand corner of grid TQ. The east, bottom, horizontal, or "right" coordinate comes first, then the north. If you have trouble remembering which direction is 30 and which is 97, think of the reference being given in alphabetical order. No matter which terminology you use, it is in alphabetical order (across before up) (east before north) (horizontal before vertical) (right before up) (bottom before side).

A national grid reference number, then, always starts at the southwest (bottom left) corner, even if the place referred to is up in the top right hand corner of the grid square. The grids are marked on each map sheet.

Look at the introductory pages in the Gazetteer of Great Britain. They explain fully how to use the maps and gazetteer.

 

        LANDRANGER MAPS - ASSIGNMENT

 

1.                 Look up Hazelbrow in the Gazetteer of Great Britain and note here the full reference given. Find Hazelbrow on the map. What is the closest place to Hazelbrow named on the map (just to the south and a fraction to the east)?

 

 

 

2.                 What is the only place named in the square kilometer reference no. 3169 on map number 176? What would the full national grid reference be (including letters)?

 

 

 

3.                 You have the national grid reference TR 3250. What is the place name?