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Using grid references to identify land use

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can use four figure grid references to identify different examples of land use in my local area on a 1:25000 map.

Key learning points

  1. The map of Great Britain is covered by grid squares measuring 100 kilometres across
  2. OS maps have a series of grid lines that help you to pinpoint an exact location anywhere on the map
  3. Vertical lines are called 'eastings' as they increase in value as you travel east on the map
  4. The horizontal lines are called 'northings' as they increase in value as you travel north on the map

Keywords

  • Vertical - Something vertical stands upright or points upwards from the ground.

  • Horizontal - Something horizontal is parallel to the ground.

  • Pasture - Pasture is land, with grass and other low plants, suitable for livestock to graze on.

  • Agriculture - Agriculture is the science and practice of cultivating soil and farming.

Common misconception

Pupils may be aware of the National Grid as the network which is used to supply electricity.

Explain that the National Grid for OS maps is not (quite) the same thing.

Teacher tip

Although there are not many clues on maps for agriculture or bogs, as it is their local area, children will have some experience of the land type from personal experience. They could also use google street view/aerial images to identify land use.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
What type of land use is this?

An image in a quiz
artificial surfaces
Correct answer: pasture
moorland and heathland

Q2.
Which land use type can be seen in this image?

An image in a quiz
pasture
artificial surfaces
Correct answer: moorland and heathland

Q3.
This image shows land use.

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: woodland, Woodland, wood land

Q4.
Match the land use type with their definition.

Correct Answer:peat bogs,form in upland areas with wet and waterlogged conditions

form in upland areas with wet and waterlogged conditions

Correct Answer:moorland and heathland,purple heather and low-growing shrubs found in higher areas

purple heather and low-growing shrubs found in higher areas

Correct Answer:woodland,can be coniferous or deciduous

can be coniferous or deciduous

Q5.
What is the main type of land use in the UK?

artificial surfaces
woodland
peat bogs
Correct answer: pasture

Q6.
How much of the land in the UK is used for agriculture?

one quarter
Correct answer: over half
all of the land
Q3 Forest near Vřesina, Jiri Brozovsky, 2013, Licensed under CC-BY 2.0

6 Questions

Q1.
The horizontal blues lines on an Ordnance Survey map are called ...

Correct Answer: northings, Northings

Q2.
The vertical blue lines on an Ordnance Survey map are called ...

Correct Answer: eastings, Eastings

Q3.
Order these instructions to find a four digit grid reference.

1 - Go along the corridor
2 - Go up the stairs

Q4.
What is the grid reference of St Mary's Island and lighthouse?

An image in a quiz
3475
Correct answer: 3575
3576

Q5.
What is the grid reference of the caravan park?

An image in a quiz
Correct answer: 3475
3375
3275

Q6.
What is the main land use of grid square 3473?

An image in a quiz
pasture
woodland
moorland and heathland
Correct answer: artificial surfaces
Q4 © Crown copyright and database rights “2025” Ordnance Survey (100025252) Q5 © Crown copyright and database rights “2025” Ordnance Survey (100025252) Q6 © Crown copyright and database rights “2025” Ordnance Survey (100025252)

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