Thousands of children across England, Scotland and Wales have received an OS Explorer Map as part of Ordnance Survey's Free maps for 11-year-olds initiative.

Are you one of nearly 700,000 11 year olds in Britain who have received a free map from Ordnance Survey this year, or one of the 2½ million children who have already benefited from the initiative during the last 4 years?

If so, here are a few ideas on how to use your map over the Christmas holiday…

Learn about …

• how to read your map in our homework help section of MapZone
• all about map symbols
• how to work out the grid reference number for your house
• how to plot a route to your friends or relatives’ house.

Discover where you can walk in your area...plan a walk with your family or friends....or discover the local countryside, and watch a video about the Countryside Code.

Learn about the history of your area – compare your map with how your district looked over a hundred years ago.

Back to the Christmas home page

Free maps for 11-year-olds

Learn more about Ordnance Survey's Free maps for 11 year-olds initiative.

Use your free OS Explorer Map for winter walks with your family over the Christmas holiday.