Obtaining Historical Maps

Historical Ordnance Survey maps

One of the easiest ways to obtain a set of old Ordnance Survey maps of a location is to use the Map Insight option at https://mapshop.emapsite.com/

Historical Ordnance Survey maps - legal deposit libraries 

Historical OS maps produced during the last 20 years or so are not commercially available - so not available from Groundsure - but print copies can be obtained, for use in legal proceedings, from legal deposit libraries such as the Bodleian Library in Oxford, Cambridge University library, the British Library in London, the National Library of Wales is Aberystwyth, and the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh. All these libraries have maps for all of England and Wales. 

Other sources for Historical Ordnance Survey maps

Other sources of information about historical OS maps include the Charles Close Society - www.charlesclosesociety.org 

Historical National Farm Survey maps

The National Farm Survey was carried out by the Ministry of Food from 1941 to 1943 and its maps are available from the National Archives. The maps are based on Ordnance Survey maps but (unlike base OS maps) are delimited by farm ownership with each farm being allocated a number which can be cross-referenced to individual farm survey forms giving information such as the name of the farmer and whether they are owner of tenant. Large urban areas are not covered. 

Historical Inland Revenue Valuation Office maps

The Finance Act 1910 introduced a version of land value tax and in order to apply this tax it was necessary to value all property in the country and the Inland Revenue set up the Valuation Office to carry out this task. Copies of maps produced by the Valuation Office Survey (1910-1915) are available from the National Archives. These maps are based on Ordnance Survey maps but (unlike the base OS maps) are delimited by property ownership and show assessment numbers which can be cross-referenced to the Inland Revenue Valuation and Field books where area, valuation and owner and other details are given.  

Tithe Maps 

Tithe maps were produced in the 20 year period following the Title Commutation Act 1836, and their accompanying schedules show details of land ownership. They are available from the National Archives and from County Record Offices.

Enclosure Maps  

Maps accompanying enclosure awards were produced during the 18th and 19th centuries. Many are available from the National Archives and from County Record Offices. 

Disclaimer

This information page is designed to be used only by clients of John Antell who have entered into an agreement for the provision of legal services. The information in it is necessarily of a general nature and will not be applicable to every case: it is intended to be used only in conjunction with more specific advice to the individual client about the individual case. This information page should not be used by, or relied on, by anyone else.

This page was lasted updated in July 2024 Disclaimer