1:25 000 Scale Colour Mapping is the must-have map for hikers and cyclists. It depicts the landscape with detail and clarity that’s unsurpassed at this scale. Popular with Farmers:
| Product: | Ordnance Survey - 1:25000 Scale OS Plan by Email |
|---|---|
| Base Mapping | 1:25,000 Scale Colour Raster |
| Scale | 1:25,000 |
| Coverage | Full Great Britain coverage (sorry this excludes Northern Ireland - try OSNI) |
| Format | PDF, TIFF, JPG, PNG or BMP |
| Software Required | PDF - Adobe Reader or even any Browser TIFF, JPG, PNG or BMP - Windows Photo Viewer or any graphics software(eg Photoshop) |
| Product Price | From: £3.40 + vat (A4 size) |
| Delivery Method | |
| Turnaround Time | Email: Target time of 30 mins (7 days a week 7am to 11pm) - Larger files may take longer to generate |
| Currency | Current - Latest available direct from Ordnance Survey |
| Sample | Click here to download sample |
| Key Features | North arrow, Scale bar, Licence number, National grid coordinates |
| Uses | Tourist and heritage attractions of many types are shown on this mapping, so leisure users can use it to find their way to a place of interest, whether it breaks up a day’s walking or keeps the kids amused on a rainy day. Perfect for professional reports too. Popular with farmers as it shows field boundaries. |
| Number of Printouts | Select at time of purchase - no further copying permitted |
| Licence Term | Please go to the Licence tab below |
Supplied under our Framework agreement with Ordnance Survey (Printed Products Contract)
You do not need your own licence to use/buy this product - a licence number will be stamped on each plan/map you purchase. You must select the relevant number of copies that you plan to print at your end.
You are entitled to submit this product as part of a submission to a Local Authority (including the Planning Portal), Land Registry, Electricity Board or other body.
| Item | Permitted | Alternative Product / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Digital submission to any online planning portal | - | |
| Add basic content to this Product -i.e. outline a property in red for purposes of planning permission. | - | |
| GIS Use | OS 25k Raster Data - link | |
| Vectorisation for CAD | Closest: OS 10k Vector Data - link | |
| Printing Extra Copies | Select quantity at time of purchase |
OS Explorer Maps are produced at a detailed 1:25,000 scale (4 cm = 1 km). They include rich terrain detail such as footpaths, contour lines, vegetation, campsites, public rights of way, and field boundaries, making them ideal for walking, cycling, navigation, and outdoor recreation.
The iconic orange OS Explorer maps display essential features clearly, including footpaths, bridleways, open-access land, contour lines, vegetation areas, car parks, pubs, and campsites. This level of detail supports precise navigation for walkers, cyclists, horse riders, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Each OS Explorer map typically covers an area of approximately 20 km × 20 km at a 1:25,000 scale. For longer routes or larger areas, users often combine two or more map sheets.
OS Explorer maps can be purchased digitally in high-resolution formats such as PDF, TIFF, JPG, PNG, and BMP. They're suitable for clear printing from A4 up to A0 paper sizes or for digital use on tablets and smartphones via mapping apps.
OS Explorer 1:25,000 maps are commonly used for:
No, OS Explorer maps at the 1:25,000 scale available here are specifically designed for basic printing, personal navigation, or general reference. They are not licensed or optimised for professional GIS use. For GIS-compatible data suitable for integration into GIS software and analysis, please visit our specialised 25k Raster 10km Tiles or 25k GeoTIFF data product pages.
No, you don't need your own OS licence for personal use or general reference. UK Map Centre provides OS Explorer maps with an appropriate Ordnance Survey licence included clearly on the maps. However, this licence only covers personal reference, navigation, and basic print use. For professional applications, planning submissions, or integration into GIS/CAD systems, you'll require specific OS products and licences, which are available on our dedicated professional GIS/CAD data pages.
Fast Digital Delivery. Buy OS Map Explorer 25k Extracts from the UK Map Centre.
We are an authorised OS Licensed Partner supplying Ordnance Survey Mapping and Data products to individuals, councils and large organisations.
Through our special links with Ordnance Survey we are able to provide mapping and data solutions direct to our clients.
Ordnance Survey is the national mapping agency for Great Britain. UK Map Centre LLP Ordnance Survey Premium Partner | Licence Number: AC0000848283