Customer Reviews

The English Lakes - North Western Area (OS Explorer Map Active): Keswick, Cockermouth & Wigton

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This map covers the North West Lake District at an excellent scale for walkers, cyclists, and for other outdoor pursuits. Okay, it's a map, but that's not the important part. These active maps by the OS were a great idea! For a long time the only way to stop maps being destroyed by bad weather was to use a plastic wallet, but these had one clear disadvantage - what if you needed to look at a different part of the map? Either risk destroying it by refolding it whilst exposing it to the full force of the wind and rain, or try to do it in your bag. With these laminated maps, you can leave them out in the rain all day, and still they're completely undamaged by the weather. They're a little more unwieldy than the non-laminated maps, but are currently the best all-weather maps available.

This is a great purchase as the map has a 'protective coating' so if it rains then the map will survive. We've already done some great new walks, even though we've lived in the Lake District all our lives.

The maps done by Ordinance Survey are brilliant maps, full of detail and full off information and last for ages. Especally the fully waterproof one's like this which helps keep dry especally if your like me and liable to drop it some where damp. The explorer maps are a nice scale for walking and you are able to pin point your position exactly with it's detail. Only downside with laminated maps if you fold them the wrong way (which you have to do sometimes to see the other side) it does damage evntually. But they are very durable and the best out there.
As for the area. The lakes are the most breath taking areas in the country. But you proply know that and if you probably plan on going there if you where looking at this map. So simple as, these are the best maps you can find, so walkers, explorers, climbers etc. it's a must.
But like most of the Lakes this area is beatiful so go and enjoy.

The OS Explorer series works at 1:25000 which is 4cm to the kilometer or 2.5 inch to the mile. That's as tight a scale as you'll get from the OS (their Landranger series are less fine at 2cm to the kilometer) and it's easily enough for casual rambling or more serious hiking. To give you an idea of the scale, it takes four of these Explorer maps to cover the English Lake District (OL4, 5, 6 and 7 - for my holiday there this year I'll be taking three maps) or two (OL26 and 27) for the North York Moors. I would suggest that if you're driving or cycling on good roads and paths you may be better off with the more manageable Landrangers.

These maps are printed both sides, and they also fold out pretty big, so if your route takes you over the page, maneouvring these beasts can be a little cumbersome. Note also that the key is only printed on one side, across a boundary and that can cause some difficulties. So, some serious map folding is needed - when I was in the Territorial Army, we even had a lesson on the subject.

This is the "Active" version it's waterproofed which costs a few pounds more than the plain paper map but it is even bulkier. I prefer to use the paper map and stuff it in a map case or even a clear plakky bag. Horses for courses.

If you're sticking to roads, paths or decent tracks, or are going to be within sight of plenty of obvious landmarks, you can operate without a compass. If your walk is a little more adventurous, you'd be wise to carry one with you, but bear in mind that effective compass usage doesn't come without a little training and practise.

Final tip: before you leave the car park, "orient the map". In other words, make sure you know where you are on the map and where you're going. Line up your route on the map with the route on the ground and be aware that this might require you to hold the map upside down or on it's side. Try and maintain a reference between the map and reality as you go, matching landmarks on the ground with those on the map, and you'll never get lost.

Away from the practical aspects, I love OS maps and I can spend hours poring over them. It's almost as good as actually going to the places they depict.

this is a very good quality map, the scale is just about perfect for the hills, also the coating it has makes it weatherproof, (most important for the lakes), would highly reccomend this map to everybody

Very versatile. Excellent. Hard wearing. Well worth that little extra money than the standard map. Used it in wet conditions and it performed well.

Well you cant go wrong with OS maps, this is my first Active one and it is a little heavier/bulkier but if it is raining you can sit on it while you eat your dinner and keep your bum dry!

This range of maps never fails to deliver. Have had OS5 for years, but now branching out further. Just what is needed for western lakes.

Very good value for money. If you go walking in the Lake District very useful for planning your routes across the Fells.

We bought this map in preparation for an Easter trip to the Lakes. With the weather being so unpredictable in the Lake District, it's important not to rely on good visibility when walking, particularly up in the hills. If the cloud arrives, it can be an eerie and disorientating experience!

The OS maps, especially the Explorer series, are excellent value for money. The scale delivers excellent detail and makes navigation by landmarks such as fences and gates easily possible. Of course with a compass navigation can be done just from the map but I find this slower and less enjoyable when walking.

I purchased the non-waterproof version of the map and while this is fine in most cases (if it's raining I tend to keep it in the map pocket of my waterproof jacket) I do find that the pages tend to tear quite easily. I would like for these more basic versions to be printed on tougher paper, and it's for this reason I would give 4, rather than 5 stars. For navigation purposes, these maps are unbeatable.

If only they could work out a version that means I don't always open it on the wrong side...