Become an armchair cartographer with The Great British Colouring Map

One year on from Ordnance Survey’s release of a series of downloadable colouring-in maps created using OS OpenData, comes a full book of OS maps to colour.

The book will take colouring and map fans on an immersive colouring-in journey around Great Britain, from the coasts and forests to the towns and countryside. Expect to see iconic cities, recognisable tourist spots and historical locations across England, Scotland and Wales via the 55 illustrations. The Great British Colouring Map also includes a stunning gatefold of London.

OS cartographers stripped back the maps, removing the names and map symbols to create the perfect colouring palette for those wishing to relax and destress with some colouring. The growth in mindfulness and relaxation has seen people of all ages taking to colouring.

OS is currently supporting Solent Mind as their corporate charity and spokesman Neil Wilson said: “Colouring is a simple and effective way to calm the mind and occupy the hands - it's a wonderful option for creating a state of peace. This gentle activity where you choose the colours and take your own time to create your picture, can help focus the mind on the present, and promote wellbeing, blocking out negative thoughts.”

Within The Great British Colouring Map, OS has used a range of products, including their 1:25,000 and 1:50,000 Scale Raster. It will be easily recognisable by map fans as the basis for the popular OS Explorer and OS Landranger maps.

Marketing Director Nick Giles said: “This is the perfect gift for map and colouring fans alike this Christmas. The level of detail will keep colouring-in devotees busy for hours and we’re looking forward to seeing if the colour schemes used follow our maps or are more abstract. Map lovers can pore over the illustrations and spot places they know and love around Britain. We’re thrilled with the quality of this beautiful book, it matches the fantastic detail captured in OS maps and it would make a great coffee-table book if anyone can’t bear to colour in the maps!”

Laurence King Publishing said: "We are pleased to be working with Solent Mind and OS to promote the benefits and joys of colouring to a whole new audience."

The Great British Colouring Map: A Colouring Journey Around Britain is published by Laurence King and available in book stores or via the OS Map Shop for £19.95 from 10 October.