28 April 2004

Downs delights and seaside sights

Easier touring of Surrey and Sussex

Planning trips to some of south-east England’s most attractive tourist spots has now become easier thanks to a revised Tour map from Ordnance Survey.

The mapping agency has published the easy-to-read map covering Surrey, East and West Sussex and South West London – ideal for helping families get the most from their trip to the coast and countryside of the south.

Motorways, primary routes, minor roads and car parks are colour coded on the map, so motorists can quickly assess their importance for route planning – and, to help find any destination quickly, a place names index is included.

Key cycle routes along with waterways and railways are clearly tracked, and the map also pinpoints scores of tourist facilities and named places of interest.

The map highlights popular attractions such as Goodwood House and Racecourse, Chichester Cathedral, Arundel Castle, and the National Trust’s property Polesden Lacey. It also directs people to many other attractions and facilities, ranging from the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum to the Bluebell Railway – making it the ideal travelling companion.

Anyone looking for quieter spots will find designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, historic sites, nature reserves and viewpoints. Also included are racecourses, canals and dozens of country pubs and picnic sites.

The map stretches from south-west London down to the coastal resorts of Brighton and Hove, and Eastbourne in the south, and from Petersfield in the west to Rye in the east.

Colourful and detailed map insets make it easy to locate facilities and attractions in more urban areas. They show Guildford, Chichester, Crawley, Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings and Gatwick Airport.

"Surrey and Sussex have so much for visitors to see and do," says Kirstie Bulpitt of Ordnance Survey. "Along with the rolling Weald and downland countryside and river valleys, the area boasts some of the country’s most popular seaside resorts.

"It is also renowned for its heritage and castles – many of which are highlighted on the map too.

"To help people get more out of the county, we've listed our own choice of 35 places of interest on the map, along with details of market days and farmers' markets to give visitors plenty of possible excursions to think about.

"We’ve included everything we think visitors will need for a fulfilling break, without cluttering the map with unnecessary information."

The full-colour map is printed at 1:100,000 scale – the equivalent of 1 cm to 1 km (approximately 1 inch to 1½ miles). The OS Travel Map – Tour range sells at just £4.99 per map, from high-street stockists and the Ordnance Survey online map shop at www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/leisure

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