The Ordnance Survey Puzzle Book: Legends and Landmarks Review

DISCLOSURE – THIS ITEM WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW. ALL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE THE REVIEWER’S OWN.

Reviewed by Deborah Banasko

I was so pleased to be asked to review the Legends and Landmarks Ordnance Survey Book, as it is something that I have never come across before but sounds like a really unusual gift idea for Christmas.

Now I am pretty good at map reading due to travelling all around the country in a previous career, but just in case you are a little rusty, there is a section to read at the start of the book which covers map symbols, abbreviations, grid references etc.

However if you are clueless when it comes to maps or have a friend who gets lost wherever they go, fear not as there are two QR codes near to the front which teach you quite literally everything you need to know from beginner to advanced level. They even have questions to test you on what you have read, and these features are included in the price of the book! It’s never too late to learn, and in some ways a lost skill due to Sat Nav’s.

Once your map skills are up to scratch you can move onto the puzzles, the main content of the book. These come in a variety of forms such as search and find puzzles and navigation trails, designed to test your map reading skills. You are also introduced to historical “legends”, and can read information on places that you may wish to visit around the UK at the back of the book.

The puzzles are divided into categories such as “Kingdom Shapers” and “Science Makers”, with some familiar names within each section yet some that were unknown to me. Each map is linked to a famous character from history, and we are told about their life and achievements. The information is concise, between a page and a page and a half, but a lovely history lesson. There is something for everyone, which must be the intention, as you have maps dedicated to the likes of John Lennon (Liverpool), Mary Seacole (Paddington), Charles Darwin (Shrewsbury) and Winston Churchill (Blenheim Palace).

This then leads onto the accompanying map and questions, which are divided into easy, medium, tricky and challenging. To give this some context, my 13 year-old did manage just a couple of the easier ones, and my husband (a pretty skilled map reader) could answer some at the highest level. They really do make you think, but if you enjoy puzzles then this is a very unique challenge. I enjoyed this book far more than I expected and found it quite addictive and difficult to put down. I have to admit that I was defeated by the anagram questions; as a taster, one question asked which label on the map was a given phrase an anagram of. Not one to tackle late at night, but one that my husband took great delight in solving when I failed.

You may be glad to hear that the answers are in the back, along with a section for your own notes.
This book is really well presented and easy to follow, and is accessible at all levels, which is useful as your map reading skills improve.

There is a lovely section approximately half way through the book entitled “Iconic Film and TV Locations”, which does what it says on the tin essentially. As well as detailing the location, there is a prompt to particular scenes of the movie should you decide to visit and re-capture that movie-moment.

The OS website is really easy to navigate too, and there are some fantastic books on there.

The RRP of £16.99 is more than reasonable for the content, as this is far more than a puzzle book; you have history, map skills and ideas for places to visit. I am generally put off from buying puzzle books as they can look intimidating and difficult to read, but this is accessible, an education but also good fun.

I see this as a potential Christmas gift from two perspectives; my brother-in-law had a degree in geography and would love to receive this as a gift, and in fact it would be unique, thoughtful and perfectly matched for his interests. On the flip side there’s my friend who is skilled in getting lost in any given city or town; this book would make her smile, but also teach her a thing or two (I would hope).

A thoughtful, unique gift suitable for all ages and abilities, 5/5 stars.

RRP: £16.99 currently on sale for £12.74
Rating: 5/5 stars

You can purchase this product here: shop.ordnancesurvey.co.uk.