You can buy some of our historical maps of Great Britain, whilst other worldwide maps and survey information are accessible in various archives
Here you can find out how to buy our historical maps of Great Britain and where to find our archived maps, aerial photography and survey records of overseas British colonies.
We define historical mapping as mapping that no longer reflects the situation on the ground. Our detailed mapping reflects features on the ground at the time of last survey. Small-scale mapping is then produced as a reflection of our large-scale mapping database, sourced at the time of the last cartographic revision.
We sell a limited reproduction range of one inch to one mile maps (revised from the late 1800s and published in the early years of the 1900s) from our OS map shop. We also sell various historical products produced by our licensed Partners.
The original historical maps now reside with local libraries around the country. If you're looking for old maps of Great Britain you can contact or visit one of the following libraries.
If these sources don't hold the information you're looking for you may find the Vision of Britain and British History Online websites of interest.
The following stockists are also able to supply historical mapping:
| Name | Location |
| Blackwell's | Aberdeen |
| Blackwell's | Bristol |
| Blackwell's | Cambridge |
| Blackwell's | Leeds |
| Blackwell's | Liverpool |
| Blackwell's | Manchester |
| Blackwell's | Newcastle |
| Blackwell's | Oxford |
| Blackwell's | Sheffield |
| Bluejet | Southampton |
| Centremaps | Hornchurch, Essex |
| Centremaps | Worcester |
| eMapSite | Hampshire |
| Hereford Map Centre | Hereford |
| John E Wright | Derby |
| John E Wright | Leicester |
| John E Wright | Nottingham |
| Latitude | Hertfordshire |
| Lincoln Print & Copy Centre | Lincoln |
| Maplines | Isle of Wight |
| Mason Maps | Dunfermline |
| National Map Centre | Hertfordshire |
| National Map Centre | Kent |
| Nicolson Maps | Largs, Ayrshire |
| Stanfords | Bristol |
| Stanfords | London |
| Stanfords | Manchester |
| The Francis Frith Collection | Salisbury |
| The Map Shop | Upton Upon Severn |
We used to hold our own archive of maps, air photography and survey records from our work in many countries around the globe over the last half century or more. This archive - also known as the Ordnance Survey International Collection - has sat with several custodians since 2003. Here you can discover the history of the International Collection and find details on where our records are archived.
The International Collection was the result of the work of the Directorate of Colonial Surveys, the Directorate of Overseas Surveys, Ordnance Survey (Overseas Surveys Directorate) and Ordnance Survey International.
In 1946, the Colonial Office established the Directorate of Colonial Surveys (DCS), to be a central survey and mapping organisation for British colonies and protectorates.
In 1957, DCS was renamed the Directorate of Overseas Surveys (DOS) to reflect the independence of many former Colonies. Some non-Commonwealth countries such as Ethiopia, Liberia, Sudan, and Yemen Arab Republic were mapped by DOS between 1975 and 1991.
During the 1970s, government reviewed the DOS’ purpose. Then, in 1984, the organisation was merged with Ordnance Survey and given a new title: Overseas Surveys Directorate, OS (OSD).
Ordnance Survey already had its own international division. When the two organisations were merged in 1984, all international aerial photographs, maps, and survey data were amalgamated into one working collection. It was named Technical Information and Support Services and kept that title for seven years, before being renamed International Library in 1991.
By 1991 the last significant, aid-funded mapping projects had been completed by OSD and all survey parties had been disbanded. OSD’s title was changed to OS International and its priorities turned to consultancy, mainly in Eastern Europe, while traditional map production gradually declined.
In 2002, Ordnance Survey deemed its International Library no longer needed for operational purposes. Responsibility for these public records then passed to The National Archives (TNA). Working with OS staff and advised by specialists, the material was appraised, and determined what would be kept, and where. Public access to the International Library in Ordnance Survey head office ceased in March 2003.
During 2003 and 2004, Ordnance Survey and TNA sought suitable custodians of all parts of the collection and relocated them. The public could access the historical archives again from the end of 2004.
The materials and data sit with various archivists and custodians. Below, you can find more information about specific archives, their respective histories, and where they can be found.
There are two sets of air photographs. One is held at the National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP) in Scotland, and the second has been entrusted to Oxford University to support global climate change research.
This collection is predominately held by the Royal Geographic Society with the Institute of British Geographers (RGS-IBG), with additional records held by The National Archives.
The following survey records are all held by The National Archives (TNA).
Directorate of Overseas Surveys book collection, Non-Directorate of Overseas Surveys mapping and Directorate of Overseas Surveys progress folders.
Explore more of our mapping history.
Our most iconic maps, the pink OS Landrangers and the orange OS Explorers, have been used by walkers, cyclists, climbers and many more for decades.
The top 10 mapping moments that have recorded our nation’s evolving landscape and helped us become the trusted geospatial partner we are today.
We’re 225 years old today and what better way to celebrate than with two new maps created in a historic style?
