Aug 6 10

Save 10% on Customised Wall Maps from Maps International

by Helen Roper

Maps International sell one of the best selections of wall maps available. As well as our huge world wall map which is the largest sheet map available to buy (the size of a Smart Car), we have town, country and continent maps. Maps International also have an extensive range of maps for businesses from our Business Maps Centre.

Customised Wall Maps from Business Maps Centre

We supply high quality Customised Wall Maps based on up-to-date Ordnance Survey or Philip’s mapping data. Your wall map can cover any area of Great Britain and you can choose from a range of data. Customised Wall Maps are made exactly to your requirements and are perfect for Marketing, Sales, Operations, Distribution, in fact any area of your business.

In order to save 10% on Customised Wall Maps, just enter the voucher code CMAP when prompted during checkout.

Save 10% - use code CMAP*


Benefits of Customised Wall Maps:

  • AREA - Select only the area you need to cover.
  • SCALE - Choose the scale of mapping you require.
  • OVERLAYS - Show postcodes and admin boundaries to help with planning.
  • BRANDING - Brand with a logo, change to your corporate colour and more.
  • FINISHES - Many finish options available including laminated, mounted or framed.

Click here to learn more about Custom Wall Maps for Business

Customised Mapping for Business

Popular scales available:

  • OS Street View (1:10,000)
  • Philip’s Street Mapping (1:10,000 ot 1:18,000)
  • OS VectorMap District (1:25,000)
  • MapVu 50 (1:50,000)
  • OS Landranger (1:50,000)
  • MapVu 100 (1:100,000)
  • We also have a range of other scales available including overview mapping of GB. All our mapping scales cover the whole of Great Britain.

Visit the Business Map Centre Today

* Offer available until 25th August 2010.

(c) Crown Copyright. License number 43368U. All data is supplied or supplied and created by Maps international.

Jul 1 10

Hot Offers this Summer on Some of our Best Selling Maps

by Helen Roper

To celebrate the summer and the nearing of the end of term for schools, we have a special offer on our best selling maps.

We are offering 10% off our current best selling maps of the year so far.

Get 10% off a World Wall Map with Flags and 10% off a Primary World Wall Map!

Large World Wall Map With Flags - Save 10%

Large World Wall Map With Flags - Save 10%

This Large World Wall Map with Flags is one of our most popular products ever! Beautifully designed and full of detail, this map is ideal for teenagers to help them with their homework or as a reference for the family. The large panel of country flags makes this an indispensable reference guide!

Available in a range of finishes, this large world wall map with flags looks great in any room. Paper and laminated finishes offer great value for money, and our framed and mounted options to great in a study or office.

View the Large World Wall Map With Flags

 Large primary Political World wall map

Large Primary Political World Wall Map - Save 10%

This Large Primary Political World Wall Map is specifically designed for younger children (primary school aged children, 5-11 years). The larger fonts, bright colours and clear layout help children to interact and respond to the map encouraging their learning and imagination.

Available in a range of finishes, this large map is ideal for children’s bedrooms or playrooms. An ideal gift in a range of finishes.

View the Large primary political world wall map

Both these maps are available in paper, laminated, mounted, magnetic, framed and roller-blind styles.

Buy either world wall map and keep your children occupied in the Summer months!

Offer ends 23rd July 2010 so be sure to place your order now!

View all our Maps For Children or our World Wall Maps.

Jun 25 10

Mapping out the elephants in the Elephant Parade.

by Liz Adams

You may have seen in the media over the last couple of months that elephants have taken over London. No, it’s not a strange concept for a film, but the charity Elephant Family having their annual Elephant Parade.

Elephant Parade is a conservation campaign that shines a multi-coloured spotlight on the urgent crisis faced by the endangered Asian elephant. Brought to you by www.elephantfamily.org, the event sees over 250 brightly painted life-size elephants located over central London this summer.

This year the campaign is even bigger than before and to help visitors to London find all the elephants around the capital, Lovell Johns were asked to create a user-friendly map of all the elephant locations. The team planning the Elephant Parade wanted a map to reflect their fresh image, but also one that would be clear and easy to read.

Elephant Parade Map

Elephant Parade Map

This project was completed in April and it was the first where we have used Ordnance Survey OpenData to create the map. To cope with the influx of visitors, in part due to the massive amount of publicity the Elephant Parade was getting, they were printing 250,000 copies. Using OS OpenData made them a huge saving in print royalties, which would have been considerable for that number of copies, and to be honest they’ve got more important things to spend their money on! The mapping was based on OS Streetview, then generalised to create the overview style mapping they wanted. This is a really good example of how OS OpenData mapping, now available freely to all, can be made into something really special for a specific project.

One of the elephants with our MD, David Stephens

One of the elephants with our MD, David Stephens

The data was then styled to be bright, modern and fun. Illustrations were created for the major landmarks around London to make the map easier to navigate. The elephants weren’t added by hand, rather our expert GIS team georeferenced the postcodes to give our designer the exact geographical location of each elephant with its relevant index number. The elephants were then styled depending on their category (indoor, outdoor and ‘happy herd’) and cartographically positioned to avoid clashes with map features and other elephants close by.

Their campaign has been a huge success and has certainly raised the profile of the endangered Asian elephant. Further information about the parade can be found at www.elephantparadelondon.org/. If you missed the Elephant Parade this year, make sure you go next year; it’s bound to be even better.

For more information on bespoke mapping for any requirement visit our bespoke mapping page at Lovell Johns.

Jun 7 10

Holiday Fever Hits Maps International

by Helen Roper

Now that the summer is finally here, at Maps International we are getting into the holiday mood. We have a great range of products to help you make the most of the holiday season…

World Maps

Maps International’s fantastic range of World Maps are ideal for planning your holiday or trip. If you are planning an adventure over several countries, a Map of the World is invaluable as a reference guide.

World Map

Political World Map From Maps International - Great For Planning Your Next Adventure!

Physical Map Of The World

Physical Map Of The World From Maps International - One Of The Great Maps Of The World Range

As well as the World Wall Maps, Maps International’s range of Continent Wall Maps are also very useful in planning for your trip or reminiscing about previous adventures.

Cool Camping

If you are staying closer to home on your holidays, you might be interested in our Cool Camping book. Full of great ideas, campsite reviews and recommendations for your UK camping trip. Our favourite sections are the “what to do if it rains” and “nearest decent pub” parts!

Cool Camping Guide Book

Cool Camping Guide Book

Travel shop

Don’t forget that Maps International also have an amazing range of Travel Maps and Travel Guides in the Travel Shop. Covering a huge range of destinations, a travel guide can really help you make the most of your holiday, so add one to your hand luggage so you can swot up on the way there. Our travel book shop features Rough Guide Travel Guides, Lonely Planet Travel Guides, Berlitz Travel Guides and Frommers Travel Guides so there is something for everyone!


What are your travel plans this year..?

May 12 10

Father’s Day Gift Ideas From Maps International

by Helen Roper

Father’s Day is fast approaching us, with the day falling on June 20th this year.

Men are notoriously difficult to buy gifts for. It’s a fact! A quick chat in the office reveals that the older the man is who you are trying to find a gift for, the more troublesome it is! How many Dads across the length and breadth of the country received yet another pair of socks this year at Christmas!?

With Father’s Day just around the corner, now is the time to get shopping and find a suitable gift!

Maps International knows that Father’s Day is an important event in the calendar. We all love our Dads and Father’s Day is one of the days of the year you can show him how you feel. Getting your Father a gift on Father’s Day shows you value him and is a small token to show how much you care.

Maps International has a range of products which make great gifts for Father’s Day.

We have a Father’s Day page on our website which shows a good range of products which you may not have considered as a gift before.

A Personalised World Wall Map is a thoughtful and practical gift, which can be fully personalised by choosing the colour background and inserting a personalised title and subtitle.

Personalised World Wall Map - Great Gift Idea For Father's Day

Personalised World Wall Map - A Great Gift Idea For Father's Day

Our wall maps are always popular and with our huge choice of map sizes, styles and prices there really is something for everyone. We have Country and City Wall Maps, UK and British Isles Wall Maps, Maps of the World and Continental Wall Maps.

Premium Executive World Wall Map - A Classic Gift For Father's Day

Premium Executive World Wall Map - A Classic Gift For Father's Day

Our maps really are affordable! We have prices to suit all pockets from our smallest paper maps (which still look fantastic) and all-purpose Laminated Wall Maps all the way through to our Premium Executive World Wall Map and Framed Wall Maps.

World Wall Map With Flags - Perfect Present For Father's Day

World Wall Map With Flags - The Perfect Present For Father's Day

Our Canvas World Wall Map adds a touch of elegance and class to any room, whilst at the same time being a valuable and useful reference tool.

Canvas World Wall Map

Canvas World Wall Map - A Great Gift For Father's Day

Apr 30 10

Join In With Election Fever. Host Your Own General Election Results Party!

by Helen Roper

You have read the manifestos, watched the political debates on the TV and decided who you are going to vote for, but now you can make Election Night possibly the most exciting night of the year by hosting your own General Election Results Party!

We have a party pack which has all you need to get the party started!

Our General Election Map Party Pack contains a paper version of the UK Parliamentary Boundary Outline Wall Map as well as a pack of 12 crayons to update the map as results come in.

Take a look below for some ideas to make your General Election Results Party go with a swing!

General Election Party Map Pack

General Election Map Party Pack - Updating The Results As They Come In!


Fun & Games

Split party attendees into teams and using the General Election Map Party Pack, update the outline map with team predictions as to the constituency results. You can fill in the results as soon as they come in, straight onto the map using the crayons provided and compare them to the team predictions. Reward the winning team with food / drink and encourage them to make a victory speak. The losers in turn will have to do more canvassing door to door (or carrying drinks from fridge to the winner’s hands)!

Alternatively, as the night progresses, simply alter the results and update these onto your own personal map should you not be happy with them! As the alcohol goes down and the night progresses you might even decide that you would rather stand for campaign yourself - so why not update your personal seat gains onto the map?

Play political bingo by making some bingo cards using a range of clichéd phrases that come up time and again in political speeches, and the current election issues. Cross off the boxes as you hear the phrases or election issues,and win a prize for the first line and full house!

Drinking games. These can be linked in with the bingo (as above), or according to other predetermined rules. For example if a party losers a seat, you have to drink 3 fingers worth of drink in that party’s colour.  Make drinks according to the party colours of yellow, red and blue e.g. cocktails with Bols blue, vodka and lemonade or make banana smoothies for non-drinkers. Red wine is always a winner!

Have a drink every time something exciting happens such as:
Polling stations close
First constituency result
Gordon Brown’s Bigot comment is shown again
First marginal seat result
Someone claims “it’s too early to call”
Political leader’s wife looks pensive
Minister loses seat
A party leader concedes defeat
The victory speech

Make dummys or mannequins to represent political leaders. As the results come in, the political party in the lead could have their dummy moved into a more prominent position in the house, and adorned with trophies. Or the losing party could see their leader’s manikin put into the garden or covered up using an old blanket, or if you are particularly frustrated with the performance kick their mannequins apart!

Food

Serve a buffet of food in the colours of the main election parties. Offer a range of red, yellow and blue coloured foods which could include yellow and red peppers, blue cheese, bananas, strawberries, blueberries and sweetcorn. Snack on them throughout the night or eat a selection of food according to how the political parties are doing.

Music

Play a range of tunes from artists or lyrics inspired by politics or politicians.
Think “Everybody wants to rule the world” by Tears for Fears, or songs that have been part of a political campaign such as “Things can only get better” by D:reem.
Use your imagination, for example, think back to Dizzee Rascal’s epic appearance on Newsnight. “Dizzee Rascal for Prime Minister” and put on your favourite Dizzee track – we recommend “Fix Up, Look Sharp” or “Bonkers” to get the party started!

Use keep landmarks in the evening to alter the mood:
Losing seats:
“Loser” by Beck,
“Every loser wins” by Nick Berry
“When the going gets tough” by Billy Ocean or Boyzone
“I just don’t know what to do with myself” by Dusty Springfield or White Stripes

Winning constituencies:
“Everyone’s a winner” by Hot Chocolate
“Don’t stop me now” or “We are the champions” by Queen

Fancy Dress

Encourage party attendees to dress up as famous politicians, or dress according to party colours.

These are just a few ideas to get your General Election Results Party going with a swing.

General Election Map Party Pack

General Election Map Party Pack

If you have a General Election Results Party, don’t forget to order your General Election Map Party Pack today! Let us know how your party goes..!

Apr 21 10

Are Maps Back In Fashion?

by Helen Roper

Maps and map enthusiasts have previously gained reputations as odd-balls, for being stuffy and living in the past. However, we don’t agree and think mapping is all about marking the world as it is now. With the increased use of the internet and electronic maps, this traditional view couldn’t be further from the truth. Here at Maps International we always knew mapping was cool - seems like the rest of the world is finally waking up to this!

Maps in Popular Culture

Maps are currently in the centre of popular culture with a best selling book, a television season and several exhibitions based purely around the humble map!

Mike Parker's Map Addict

Mike Parker’s Map Addict

Recently Mike Parker has written ‘Map Addict’ which charts his love of maps which begun in early childhood and has intensified over the years. His popular book has engaged the British public and their love of maps.

The BBC are also joining in with the fascination of maps! BBC4 has a mini-season of map-related programmes called The Beauty of Maps. This is scheduled run is to coincide with the British Library’s new Mapping exhibition, and highlight the beauty and skill of cartography. Recently the library has recently shown the “London: A life in Maps” exhibition and is going to launch “Magnificence Maps: Power, Propaganda and Art” which brings together 100 of their best maps, from a collection of 4.5million.

As Mike Parker says, “despite internet doom-mongers prophesying the demise of the paper map, there has never been a better time to dig deep into the fascinating and sometimes brutal world of cartography.”

The rise of internet mapping such as the freely available Google Earth/Maps has actually increased our interest in mapping, as it gives us a greater sense of our position relative to the rest of the world, as well as providing some stunning scenes.

Based on on an article in the Daily Telegraph 11/4/10.

Looking for a new map to put up on your wall?

We have a great range of framed, magnetic, laminated and paper wall maps of the UK, World and Continents.

What are some of your favourite maps or stories associated with mapping?


Apr 15 10

Joanna Lumley Plans Nile Adventure Using Maps International Africa Map!

by Helen Roper

One of the television highlights this Spring is Joanna Lumley’s Nile.

This four part series shows Joanna embarking on this epic journey of a lifetijme, travelling the length of the River Nile, from the river’s mouth on the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea and tracing both the Blue Nile and the White Nile from their meeting point at Khartoum.

Joanna explores the river’s remote reaches across five countries including the wide banks of Egypt, the highlands of Uganda, the heat of Sudan, the mountainous gorges of Ethiopia and the unexplored jungle of Rwanda. Her journey takes a whopping 4,200 miles and many hours of planning.

So, we were delighted to see that Joanna was referencing and singing the praises of our Africa Physical Map, which was providing valuable assistance in planning the journey.

Watch Joanna Lumley’s Nile on ITV1, Mondays from 12th April at 9pm.

Joanna Lumley and Africa Map

Joanna Lumley studying the Africa Map during her ITV Nile adventure

Close up of Africa Physical Map

Close up of Africa Physical Map

If you are planning your own Nile adventure or any travel in Africa, you can buy an African Physical Map as shown below.

Africa Physical Map

Africa Physical Map

We also do a great range of continental maps for all your travel planning. Don’t forget as well you can buy a huge range of Travel Maps and Travel Guides from us.

Mar 26 10

Maps International on film at the Education Show

by Helen Roper

This YouTube clip shows our very own Marketing Manager Liz Adams, speaking at the Education Show about our involvement with the Memory 4 Teachers scheme.

This video was embedded using the YouTuber plugin by Roy Tanck. Adobe Flash Player is required to view the video.

We have partnered with Memory 4 Teachers scheme to provide teachers with access to free map resources and our comprehensive range of Geography resources for schools.

We will be providing teachers with free educational geography resources, such as downloadable maps, quizzes, games and more!

Visit our Teacher Zone for more information or to sign up to our Free Maps for Schools scheme

Mar 16 10

Special Offer on British Isles Administrative Map

by Helen Roper

British Isles Administrative Maps

We currently have Special Offer on our British Isles Administrative Maps.

Our British Isles Administrative Map is ideal for use in offices and workplaces as it is coloured according to the different county boundaries in the British Isles. A 1:850,000 scale map which makes 1cm cover 8.5km.

It is clearly marked with towns and cities in the UK and Ireland. It features an enlarged area showing the London boroughs.

This high quality British Isles Wall Map is available in a range of finishes from paper and laminated, to board mounted, framed or on a roller blind system.

British Isles Administrative Map

Discounted British Isles Administrative Maps

Currently we have a special offer running on the paper finish of the British Isles Administrative Map. Usually the map retails for £19.99 but for a limited period only, this map is available for only £12.

“Excellent, clear and detailed – would recommend!” says one reviewer.

This offer is for a limited period only, so be sure to buy your map now to avoid disappointment!

Buy / View British Isles Administrative Map Here

Other British Isles Maps available

We have a full range of fantastic maps of the British Isles.

Visit our British Isles Wall Map shop to see the latest range including British Isles Sales and Marketing Map, British Isles Postcode Map, British Isles Routeplanning Wall Map and the UK Parliamentary constituency Boundary Wall Map.

British Isles Administrative Map