Using the National Grid

1 The National Grid provides a unique

reference system, which can be applied to all Ordnance Survey maps of Great Britain, at all scales.

2 Great Britain is covered by 100

kilometre grid squares, each grid square is identified by two letters, as shown in diagram A.

3 On Ordnance Survey maps these

squares are further divided into smaller squares by grid lines representing 10 kilometre spacing, each numbered from 0 to 9 from the south-west corner, in an easterly (left to right) and northerly (upwards) direction, as shown in diagram B.

4 Using this system you can identify a

10 kilometre grid square. For example, here is TL63. After the letters you quote the eastings (6) first, then the northings (3). If you have trouble remembering, say**…** Stairs the Up Along the hall, THEN

5 On OS Landranger Maps you can find the two

grid letters TL on the legend, or on the corner of the map, and the grid has been further divided into 1 kilometre intervals, as shown in diagram C. You can estimate distances between the grid lines to give a more precise reference.

6 Turn the page and

see how easy it is to use a 6-figure grid reference to pinpoint a place on the map**…**

Using the National Grid continued

The 6-figure grid reference

7 The 6-figure grid reference is very

useful to locate a particular place on a map.

8 By estimating the eastings and

northings to one tenth of the grid interval, you can specify a full 6-figure grid reference, accurate to within 100 metres on the ground.

9 All you do is estimate how many tenths

away from the grid your point falls. For instance, the point in diagram D is 3 tenths east of grid 62 and 7 tenths north of grid 31.

10 Once again, reading from the south-

west corner, quote all the eastings first, 11Here is an extract from a 1:50 000

then the northings. The 100-metre grid scale map. Use the National Grid reference of the point in the diagram is reference system to find:

shown like this: TL 623317.

The Church at TL683365

The Windmill at TL726350

Mill Farm at TL701352

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