How It Works – Digital Map Downloads
What happens after you buy?
As soon as your payment is confirmed, you'll receive an email containing a secure download link. There's no waiting — your maps are available instantly, day or night. Simply click the link, save the file to your device, and you're ready to explore.
What will I receive?
Each purchase gives you one or more high-resolution digital image files of historic Ordnance Survey maps. The files are delivered as JPEG (.jpg) images scanned at 300 dpi (dots per inch) — the standard quality used by professional printers. This means what you see on screen is exactly what you'll get when you print.
What scale are the maps?
Our maps are reproduced at the classic 1:10,560 scale (also known as the "six-inch to one mile" scale). At this level of detail, you can clearly see individual buildings, field boundaries, footpaths, and even the names of farms and cottages — making them ideal for family history and genealogy research, as well as local and landscape history.
To put it in context: one inch on the map represents 10,560 inches (880 feet, or roughly 268 metres) on the ground.
Can I print the maps?
Yes — our files are sized and optimised for printing at A2 (420 × 594 mm / 16.5 × 23.4 inches). We recommend printing on a matte or semi-gloss paper stock for the best result. Many local print shops and online printing services can handle A2 prints; simply hand them the file and select A2 as the paper size.
You can also print at smaller sizes (A3, A4) if you prefer — the 300 dpi resolution means the image will remain sharp and clear.
How do I open the files?
JPEG files can be opened on virtually any device:
- Windows: double-click the file to open it in Photos or Windows Photo Viewer
- Mac: double-click to open it in Preview
- iPhone / iPad / Android: tap the file in your Downloads folder or email attachment
- Any image-editing software (Photoshop, GIMP, etc.) will also open JPEG files if you want to crop or annotate your map
Are these maps useful for family history research?
Absolutely. The 1:10,560 series is one of the most popular with genealogists and family historians because it captures the landscape as it was in the late 19th and early 20th centuries — a period when many families are tracing their roots. You can pinpoint the exact farm, street, or parish where your ancestors lived, worked, and were buried.
Many of our customers frame their maps, use them to annotate family trees, or include them in local history publications.
Need help or have a question?
We are happy to help. If you have a question before or after your purchase — whether it's about finding the right map, a download that did not arrive, or printing advice — please get in touch via our Contact page and we will get back to you as soon as possible.