With National Map Reading Week taking place from Monday July 11, latest survey results from OS reveal just how cautious British adults are about getting lost and exploring off the beaten track.
A new study shows that despite four out of 10 adults getting outside more in Britain compared to last year, the nation’s appetite for adventure was being hindered by a lack of confidence in map reading skills.
The findings come from Ordnance Survey, which has launched National Map Reading Week to inspire people of all ages and interests to brush up on their map reading skills essential to helping them explore more, find new adventures and make lasting memories.
The survey of 2,000 adults, carried out by One Poll, found more than a quarter (27%) of Brits claim they’ve never been taught how to read a map and even those who have say they still don’t know how to read one (14%).
31% of Brits are worried they might get lost when they are out walking, and many adults say they are cautious and much happier if they’re walking with someone else (46%). It explains why tried and tested walks in Britain’s national parks remain the most popular, with Edale in Derbyshire’s Peak District ranked the number one route among UK walkers for the third year running, followed by Ambleside and Grasmere in the Lake District according to 2022 OS Maps app data.
When it comes to getting lost, more than half (56%) of walkers admit they’ve gone astray because they can’t use a map or follow an app correctly, with 39% resorting to calling friends and family, 26% flagging down help, and 10% reporting calling upon mountain or clifftop rescue to get home.
Despite all this, the pandemic has got Brits outdoors more and many were finding unexpected hidden gems. Around a quarter (23%) of people who are out and about on walks found one just in the last week.
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Posted On: 12/07/2022