"I am so delighted with the service we receive from Blackwell’s. It is so efficient and friendly that I would not want to change a thing about it." Ebe Foster, ERG Windows & Conservatories Ltd

If you need any help, advice or to place orders, contact your local branch or please telephone 0113 245 2623 (Mon-Fri 9am – 5pm) or email comments@maps.blackwell.co.uk.

Please use the menu on the left for information on our mapping products. If there is anything you require that is not listed, please contact us, as we can supply further products 'offline'.

There are also user guides for how to create basic mapping and adding other products or data (height, aerial etc) to your order. Click here for our helpful user guides.

You can also find information on managing your account including invoicing, payments, receiving statements and the administration of your online account.

Please visit our FAQs section below for more helpful advice, based on other customers' experience.

We also welcome your comments regarding our services and website, so please get in touch!

Minimum & Recommended System Requirements

• Our website works on both Apple and PC operating systems.
• Our site has been tested on all browsers.
• No extra software installation is required.
• The newest edition Firefox is the preferred browser.

FAQs

How do I create a map?
How do I download my map?
How do I use the drawing tools?
How do I open an account?
Can I get copies of my invoices/receipts?
How can I see my account statements?
What scale maps do I need for Planning Applications?
My maps are printing at the wrong scale – what is wrong?
Why isn't my map up to date?
How many copies can I print out under my licence?
Why is there a white border round the downloaded map?
How do I move the pink ‘map area’ box?
I've chosen the wrong paper size. How do I change it?
When I try to order I get the message 'Please assign an extent or select items for order item 1'?
How do I switch to 'detail view'?
Where do I apply my Promotional code?
I would like to order a dxf file. How do I specify dxf, rather than a dwg?
I want to order Aerial imagery, but I'm not sure which supplier is the right option for my requirements?
How do I delete (multiple) maps from screen?
What if I make a mistake and buy the wrong product or format?

Q: How do I create a map?
A: If you just need a simple planning application map, please use our Easy 6 Step Guide otherwise please refer to our user guides. You are welcome to contact us if you need further assistance.

Q: How do I download my map?
A: Once you have bought your map, click on 'Your Account'. Your last 5 orders will be listed there, or for older orders, click on ‘Orders Placed’. Your orders will be stored for up to a year. To download your map, click on 'Download'. If the map is still pending, click the ‘Update Order Status Button’ until the download is ready.

Q: How do I use the drawing tools?
A: Drawing tools enable you to add lines, outlines and features to your maps. This is done after you have found the location, selected your product and the coverage required. Please see our Drawing Tools user guide for full details on how to use these tools.

Q: How do I open an account?
A: To buy maps online with Blackwell's, opening an account is simple and free. All you need to do is register. If you are going to be purchasing more than £500 worth of maps annually, you could open a Blackwell's Credit Account with us and we'll invoice you every month. Please visit the Benefits & Services section for further information or get in touch with us.

Q: Can I get copies of my invoices/receipts?
A: Yes. Once logged in, click on 'Your Account', then under 'Manage Account', click on 'Invoicing/Payments'. Your invoices/receipts will then be listed and you can download a copy from here. Click on 'view' to see the relative invoice/receipt.

Q: How can I see my account statements?
A: As long as your mapping account email is correct, we will email you your statement every month. If you are not receiving it, please call us.

Q: What scale maps do I need for Planning Applications?
A: You should refer to the paperwork from your local authority for the scale required, however the most common scales are 1:1250 and 1:500. Visit our Planning Applications page for more details.

Q: My maps are printing at the wrong scale – what is wrong?
A: This is usually due to the printer settings. Please follow our Printing Guide, to ensure you are using the correct settings.

Q: Why isn't my map up to date?
A: This is usually because Ordnance Survey are due to survey the location or the area doesn't meet current criteria for surveying. Extensions on houses and some smaller outbuildings/features are no longer surveyed. The mapping on our website is taken from the latest available data and updated frequently directly from the OS database. If you have a particular concern regarding missing or incorrect data please contact us and we can get in touch with OS 'offline' to find out if the area is due to be updated.

Q: How many copies can I print out under licence?
A: If buying A4 PDF copies of OS mapping the default is usually six copies for online downloads. For most other products and for files larger than A4, the default is one copy. You can select the number of copies required on the buy page.

For Ordnance Survey paper mapping (PDF) you can buy an annual Paper Map Copying Licence (PMCL). This allows you to make as many copies of OS mapping as you wish. This covers you for mapping downloaded through our website or maps obtained from clients. Please contact us to purchase.

OS Data (DWG/DXF) includes a 12 month licence that allows you to print as many copies in this time period as required. After the licence expires you shouldn’t be using the data, but you can continue to use the paper copies produced.
For full details on all licences, see our Licencing and View Management page.

Q: Why is there a white border round the downloaded map?
A: If you select ‘Ground Coverage’ or ‘Shape Extract’ when buying a PDF the map will automatically extend to the next available ‘A’ size. This can create a white border between the map image and the grid. If you select a paper size and stick to the ‘A’ sizes initially, this will not create a white border round the map.

Q. How do I move the pink 'map area' box?
A. Click in the centre of the box. A black circle will appear. Place your cursor on the circle (it will turn into a cross), hold down the left mouse button and drag.

Q. I've chosen the wrong paper size. How do I change it?
A. Click the ‘Define Area’ tab. The ‘Change paper size’ drop-down menu appears under the heading 'Existing Areas'.

Q. When I try to order my map I get the message 'Please assign an extent or select items for order item 1'. What do I do?
A. Go to ‘Your Selected Products’ (grey box) on the left of the screen. From the ‘Data Area’ drop-down menu select '1'. Ensuring that a number is visible in the ‘Data Area’ box will allow you to continue with your order.

Q: How do I switch to 'detail view'?
A: After you have entered your location, the option for detail view will appear in a pop-up box entitled 'Which mapping would you like to navigate with?'. Upon selecting 'Detail - 365m radius', you will be prompted to add a reference to your order. Once this reference has been entered, you will be able to select 'Go' and switch to detailed view.

All new customers are assigned with a free view credit for any viewing charges incurred, and viewing charges are waived completely if you purchase a product from the area viewed.

Q: Where do I apply my Promotional code?
A: After selecting 'Order Now', you will see the ordering screen which will prompt you to enter any reference details, change format or apply extra print licenses. To the bottom left of this screen is a small box entitled 'Promotional Code (if you have one)'. Please enter your discount code here, and click 'apply'. This will apply the required discount to your order.

Q: I would like to order a DXF file. How do I specify DXF, rather than a dwg?
A: The product which provides dxf and dwg is called 'OS Mastermap - Export', which is the first option from the left under the 'OS Mastermap' tab in the 'Products' column. Once you have specified your area of interest for mapping, the subsequent ordering screen will show a drop down menu entitled 'Format'. This is automatically set to DWG, and to change this to dxf you have to select it from the options provided under the drop down menu.

Q: I would like to order Aerial imagery, however I'm not sure which supplier is the right option for my requirements.
A: The resolution (measured in cm) determines the sharpness of your image, ranging from 10 cm (best quality) to 25 cm. You will also see information for the date of the imagery, along with coverage information - 100% is the ideal option, meaning the entire area of interest has imagery available. For more information please see our Aerial Imagery page.

Q: How do I delete (multiple) maps ‘areas’ from screen?
A: If you have several boxes on screen and only want to buy one you can easily delete the others. If you have several products listed in the bottom left of the screen you can clear these by clicking the ‘cross’ to the left. While this clears the details, the map areas themselves need to be deleted. Please click the second tab ‘Define Area’, under ‘Existing Areas’ you will see each box (in the appropriate colour) has its own line. You can select ‘Delete’ from here and the box will clear from the mapping screen.
Please note – if several boxes are on screen and you click ‘Order now!’ it will put ALL the selected items onto the ‘Buy’ page.

Q: What if I make a mistake and buy the wrong product or format?
A: While some of the products are non-returnable we understand that mistakes can happen. If you have downloaded the wrong product or format please contact us. If possible we will exchange or re-supply the item.