Have you ever wished you could get your Ordnance Survey Explorer maps on your phone? Well now you can. Ordnance Survey are rereleasing their Explorer series of maps with a free mobile download included in your purchase.
How does it work?
It’s simple, just download the Ordnance Survey OS Maps app for Apple or for Android.
When you buy a map which is marked as “Now includes Mobile Download” on the cover, there will be a unique code inside the map (hidden with silver like a scratch card), type in the code to your app and then you can download the app to your phone.
What can you do with the app?
Obviously one of the most helpful functions of a map on your phone, is that you can be sure of where you are! The app will show you your current location, you can plan and save a route for later and you can search for places by name. The maps are saved down to your phone so you don’t need to worry about not having a mobile signal.
Which maps can I buy?
Currently Ordnance Survey have soft launched these new maps by just releasing Britains National Parks and the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but later in 2015 all explorer maps will be available and in 2016 Landranger too!
Don’t forget the map!
It may be very handy to have an OS map on your phone but at Procamping we never travel without a physical paper map, you just don’t know when your phone is going to run out of batteries!
Shop -
Shop for Maps at the official Ordnance Survey Website (Make sure you look for the blue “includes mobile download on the cover”
The North Downs Way is a 153 mile route from Farnham in Surrey to the Coast at Dover in Kent. The route is one of fifteen National Trails in England and Wales and a great one for weekend walkers or campers as it is easy to split up into sections ending at train stations which serve London, but equally it’s possible to walk in one go stopping off at campsites or B&B’s.
A brief history of the North Downs Way
The North Downs Way was created in 1978 running through 2 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Surrey Hills and the Kent Downs. The route is often compared to the Pilgrims Way as the route goes West to East with the opportunity to go through Cantebury Cathedral but although it follows much of the Pilgrims trail it is a different route along the ridge of the North Downs which is more scenic.
The route was updated to create a split east of Boughton Lees allowing the walker to choose two routes to Dover. Either East through Canterbury past the Cathedral or South and East through Folkestone taking in the White Cliffs of Dover in the final miles.
The Route Sign at Farnham
Planning your journey
Although the route is well sign posted its worth taking a map or guidebook with you to ensure you are on the right route and to see where you can cut off route to a local town or village. I recommend the National Trail Guides: North Downs Way which I used, this was updated in March 2013 and it contains detailed Ordnance Survey maps of the route complete with local information and turn by turn instructions.
Many including the guide book recommend splitting the route into 15 stages (if you are to complete both routes at the split to Dover).
Start
Finish
Miles
Farnham
Guildford
11
Guildford
Westhumble
13
Westhumble
Merstham
10
Merstham
Oxted
8
Oxted
Otford
11.8
Otford
Cuxton
15
Cuxton
Detling
12.5
Detling
Lenham
14.9
Lenham
Boughton Lees or Wye
11.1
Wye
Etchinghill
18.1
Etchinghill
Dover
12
Boughton Lees
Chilham
5.9
Chilham
Canterbury
7.2
Canterbury
Shepherdswell
10.4
Shepherdswell
Dover
8.5
Though the Guide book is sufficently detailed that you are able to plan your own stages. The suggested 13 or so miles a day is easily achievable with an average walking pace of 2.5 - 3 mph in 5 hours allowing you time to stop and take in the sights or enjoy various tea rooms and attractions along the route. However keener walkers may want to create their own route as some of the days are a little short.
At the end of each section the guide lists Public Transport, Refreshments and Toilets, and Accommodation. The accommodation is predominantly Hotels, B&B’s and Hostels but there are a few campsites scattered along the route.
To do the full 153 North Downs way you need to complete both paths where the route splits at Boughton Lees/Wye. For this you could either do the second leg in reverse once you get to Dover or return to Wye by train to start heading to Dover again on the other spur.
Your Say
Have you walked the North Downs Way? Leave your tips in the comments, what was your favourite part? Know a good tea room? Leave a comment.