🗺 Meet The Man With 2,000 Ordnance Survey Maps — And Still Collecting After 60 Years
🗺 Meet the Man with 2,000 Ordnance Survey Maps — and Still Collecting After 60 Years
LONDON, UK — [Hedews Lifestyle & Culture Desk]
For most people, a few maps are enough for the occasional road trip or hike — but for Nigel Brown, maps are a lifelong passion. Over the last 60 years, he has built a remarkable collection of nearly 2,000 Ordnance Survey maps, covering every corner of Britain’s landscapes.
Now in his 70s, Brown says his fascination with maps began as a young boy exploring the British countryside. “I just love the detail — every contour line, every small village, every path,” he told BBC News. “It’s like holding the country in your hands.”
Despite already owning thousands, Brown admits he’s not done collecting yet. “Every time a new edition comes out, I tell myself I don’t need it,” he laughs. “But somehow, I still end up buying one more.”
His home is now lined with carefully catalogued maps — from vintage prints dating back decades to the latest digital-infused editions that include QR codes and GPS references.
Ordnance Survey maps have long been an iconic part of British heritage, used by hikers, geographers, and adventurers alike. Brown’s devotion to them has turned his collection into a living record of how Britain’s geography and infrastructure have evolved through time.
When asked if he plans to stop any time soon, Brown smiled:
“Probably not. There’s always another place to discover.”
📡 Source: BBC News
📺 Publisher: Hedews Lifestyle — Culture, Curiosity, and Human Stories
