Ordnance Survey – Great Britain's national mapping agency

Web reveals Britain's active landscape

06 February 2007

In advance of the Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show we’ve done a search of our free online gazetteer and discovered that British place names are inspirations for activity.

The Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show at the NEC Birmingham (16 – 18 March) is all about getting outdoors and having fun, with all the very latest in equipment for walkers and other outdoor activity enthusiasts on show.

As sponsor of the show, we at Ordnance Survey have been exploring our place name gazetteer database – and have discovered the green gym of the British countryside. The gazetteer has more than 250,000 place names across Britain shown on the familiar leisure maps. They include hundreds of villages, settlements and landscape features with a distinctly active theme.

You can Jump (near Barnsley Grid Reference SE3801) and Runn (on the Shetland Islands HU3822) throughout the country. All Walkersknowe (Scottish Borders NT6623) that this is a Trail Isle (North Ayrshire NS1551), an Adventurers’ Land (Cambridgeshire TF3602), where everyone likes to get out of their Lazybeds (Scottish Borders NT8956).

But what equipment do you need to get out exploring the outdoors? Well for a Walker (Newcastle upon Tyne NZ2964) The Compass (Shetland Islands HU4009) is a useful tool. Compasses (East Sussex TQ7720) can direct you on the Pathe (Somerset ST3730), using the correct Map-erton (Somerset ST6726). Whilst using a Compass (Somerset ST2933) you can head North Close (Durham NZ2632) to the path, or using another Compass (Highland NH4916) you may Climb Stile (Cumbria SD2590) as you head West Man (Dorset SY9187).

You need to clean your Boot (Cumbria NY1701), before getting into your Tent Lodge (Cumbria SD3197), and having a well earned Sportsman’s Rest (North Yorkshire SE0778).

Getting fit in the outdoors can develop your muscles. Sportsman’s Arms (Conwy SH9559) for example look good on a canoeist as they Paddle Brook (Gloucestershire SP2137). Runners Burn (Northumberland NT8206) plenty of calories as they use their Runner Foot (Northumberland NY6366) to speed to the finish line.

Schools with a sporty child or a Fitling (East Riding of Yorkshire TA2534) can get them to skip or hop – Hopping Hill (Northamptonshire SP7262) is a great site for this activity. But if you’re feeling Lazy Well (Aberdeenshire NJ4408) there’s always a gentle stroll down that well known Pathe (Somerset ST3730).

Ordnance Survey’s marketing manager, Gail Meadow, says, "Walking is a great way to burn off those excess calories and feel healthier, and OS Explorer Maps show miles upon miles of walking routes and rights of way across the country. With such unusual landscape features and place names, the landscape of Britain is an inspiration to get fit."

Research conducted by top sports scientists have confirmed that even modest rambles can help lose calories. Brighton University’s Professor Joe Doust says, "Ordnance Survey maps give everyone access to the ‘green gym’ of the British countryside and walking helps you lose weight and get fitter at the same time."

This is the sixth year that Ordnance Survey has sponsored the Outdoors Show. Around 50,000 people from across Britain are expected to visit this year. For more information, including promotional offers, visit. www.theoutdoorsshow.co.uk

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