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Symbols (or conventional signs as some people call them) are a method used by map makers to represent features or information so that the map reader can easily understand them.

In effect they are a type of shorthand or code, they are a good way of putting large amounts of information on a map without cluttering it up thus making it harder to read.

To find the symbols used on a map look at the key in the margin. Get to learn them, they will soon become familiar.

examples of O/S 1 : 50.000 symbols

the symbol for a wind pump

an example of two symbols
one on top of another

the first is of an unclassified road
the second is a gradient of between
1~ 7 and 1~5

Tourist information symbols

amongst the easiest to recognise of all symbols are the tourist information symbols

usually these are drawn in blue

no guesses for these two symbols pictured right

symbol-03.jpg (2018 bytes)

symbol-02.jpg (2068 bytes)

some times the symbol is easy to work out for yourself

such as National Trust

however take care as the blue "NT" may be in a different colour e.g.

blue NT : limited access
red NT : open access

symbol-07.jpg (1501 bytes)

linear features

symbols for linear features
are often also
represented by symbols

linear features that are represented by symbols include

roads
footpaths and bridleways
rivers
walls, hedges, and fences
electricity transmission lines

as well as some linear features that may not actually have anything on the ground such as boundaries

depending on the type of map, you may see
parish, district, county, parliamentary, euro constituency boundaries

Roads

often with roads
different colours are used to show different classes of road e.g.

Blue : motorway
Red : A road
brown :B road
yellow : unclassified
etc.

symbol-09.jpg (2224 bytes)
Road Bridge
"B" Road over Unclassified road

the three most common summit features are represented by symbols

the bottom two symbols are contour feature symbols

symbol-22.jpg (1647 bytes)

a triangulation Pillar is the traditional perception of a mountain top, it is only used where there is an actual triangulation pillar on the mountain top.

it is a very useful feature to find as it is unmistakable when you reach the feature

a spot height, is the actual area that is the highest, it is a definite point and usually has a number by the side of it

usually when you get to this area it is recognisable by a pile of stones (cairn) that someone has built.

it may be on a ridge, at the top of a hill or even a high point on otherwise flat ground

a ring contour is similar to a spot height but covers a larger area of equal ground

it is used where the summit is flat and where the ground is all at equal height

the size of the circle depends on the area of fat ground covered by the equal height. The shape of the circle depends on the shape of the ground covered

Symbols can change

Some symbols vary between different scales and different cartographers.

Before use spend some time becoming familiar with at least the main symbols. If you cut out and laminate a small area remember to carry a symbol sheet

the symbol for a
church with a spire

is the same on
Landranger, Explorer and
Outdoor Leisure map

symbol-18.jpg (1497 bytes)