Free Range Maps

The Map Shop, in Upton-upon-Severn, is a beautifully run business. In abundance they possess the two most integral assets for a potential map buyer - maps, of course, and a homely environment more homely than one's home.







Belgium's 1:50 000 topographic maps are unusually illusive; there are said to be no more than 20 remaining in the wild. It, therefore, came as a surprise when we stumbled across the 12 that we needed, all filed neatly away in a box. It will be nothing shy of lovely to get these captive maps out into the wild. On a more selfish note, I have heard that free range maps divulge more.

Cartographic Semicircle

Yes, a GPS may have been cheaper than the £300 we spent, but you don't need electricity with paper maps. And yes, a GPS is likely to be lighter than 41 maps, but you can pose better for photographs with paper maps.

If you are interested, the Luxembourg 1:50 000 maps are by far the most magical to look at; everything is green and the symbols are like something from a fairytale.