How to use the map

The tools and search functions that can be used to interact with the map are explained below.

Map Tools (located in the map box)

Click and drag to zoom in:

• Select the 'Click and drag to zoom in' tool
• Click, or click and drag on or around the location you want to zoom in on.
• The map will zoom in on that location

Notes: The zoom function is limited to a scale of between 1:250 and 1:1000000. If you try to zoom in to a smaller scale the map will correct your zoom to 1:250.

Click and drag to zoom out:

• Select the 'Click and drag to zoom out' tool
• Click or click and drag on/around the location you want to zoom out from.
• The map will zoom out from that location

Notes: The zoom function is limited to a scale of between 1:250 and 1:1000000. If you try to zoom in to a larger scale the map will correct your zoom to 1:1000000.

Select a feature:

• Select the 'Select a feature' tool
• Click on a feature on the map, for example country parks, footpaths or stiles.
• The feature you choose will be highlighted in yellow
• More information about the feature can be found in the text box directly above the map.

Notes: Some features only show on the map at a scale of 1:10000 or below.

To remove the yellow highlighting on a selected feature click on an empty section of the map

Scale:

The scale box has two functions:

1. It shows the current scale of the map. Using the zoom tools effects the scale box and it automatically updates to display the scale you have zoomed to.
2. You can type your own scale in the box and the map will be adjusted to this scale. It will scale around the central point of the map currently displayed on screen.

• Type in your chosen scale
• Click on the 'Scale map' button
• The map will automatically update to your chosen scale.

Notes: The scale box accepts scales between 1:250 and 1:1000000. If you type in a scale outside of this range the map will correct your selection to the upper or lower limit of the range.

The scale box enables users to select their own scales. For those that are not used to working with maps the following scales are recommended for viewing the map at different levels of detail: county view, 1:25000, 1:10000, 1:5000, 1:2500.

Panning arrows:

Click on one of the panning arrows to keep the map at the same scale while moving around the county.

Colour map:

Tick the box to see a colour version of the Ordnance Survey map.

Aerial photo:

Tick the box to see aerial photographs of Kent. All layers of information on the map will remain visible over the aerial photography. For example, footpaths, parks, gates etc.

County View:

Click 'County view' to zoom the map to view all of Kent.

Print:

• Click 'Print' to open a new window containing print layout options
• Give your map a title and choose your layout options
• Click preview to see what your printed map will look like with the settings you have chosen
• Print the map

Notes: You will need to change the settings on your printer setup to match those used on the print preview page, so that you print the map using your preferred layout.

Location and Search tools (located in the side panels)

Zoom to district:

• Select a district from the drop down list
• Click the search button
• The map will zoom to the chosen district.
  

You may also search by:

• Select the criteria you would like to search by, for example postcode or park name
• Enter information relevant to your search criteria in the text box, for example, Town/Village: Maidstone
• Click the 'Search' button and the map will zoom to your selection.
  
  

Show your favourite routes on the map:

A number of favourite routes/areas can be viewed on the map. All of the favourite routes have more information and/or guides that can be accessed from the map - using the 'Select a feature' tool. Some guides are free and some are to buy.

• Select your search criteria, for example 'Favourite walks'
• Click the 'Show' button
• The routes will display on the map.
• Select 'Select a feature' and choose your preferred route for more information in the information panel
• Select 'More details' for more information and/or a guide about your chosen route

Notes: You can select more than one search criteria at a time. However, most of the routes display in the same way - with black dotted lines - and therefore it is difficult to distinguish between them. We recommend searching for your favourite routes using one category at a time.

Read more from the Interactive Map help page.