LogoLogo
OS Docs HomeOS NGDOS APIsOS Download ProductsMore than MapsProduct Refresh Dates
  • OS Download Products' Documentation
  • Addressing and Location
    • Addressing and Location Portfolio Information
    • AddressBase Fundamentals
      • Release Notes
        • AddressBase Products May 2025 – Epoch 118
        • AddressBase Islands May 2025 – Epoch 118
        • AddressBase Products March 2025 – Epoch 117
        • AddressBase Islands March 2025 – Epoch 117
        • AddressBase Products February 2025 – Epoch 116
        • AddressBase Islands February 2025 – Epoch 116
        • AddressBase Products December 2024 – Epoch 115
        • AddressBase Islands December 2024 – Epoch 115
        • AddressBase Products November 2024 – Epoch 114
        • AddressBase Islands November 2024 – Epoch 114
        • AddressBase Products September 2024 – Epoch 113
        • AddressBase Islands September 2024 – Epoch 113
        • AddressBase Products August 2024 – Epoch 112
        • AddressBase Islands August 2024 – Epoch 112
        • AddressBase Products June 2024 – Epoch 111
        • AddressBase Islands June 2024 – Epoch 111
        • AddressBase Products May 2024 – Epoch 110
        • AddressBase Islands May 2024 – Epoch 110
        • AddressBase Products April 2024 – Epoch 109
        • AddressBase Islands April 2024 – Epoch 109
      • AddressBase product family
      • Future and past publication dates
      • Unique Property Reference Number (UPRN)
      • Coordinate reference systems
      • Classification scheme
      • Data sources
      • Street names and numbering
      • Currency, completeness and precision
      • Product supply
      • Code lists and enumerations
        • AddressbasePostalCode
        • BLPUStateCode
        • ChangeTypeCode
        • CountryCode
        • Date
        • FileTypeCode
        • LanguageCode
        • LogicalStatusCode
        • OfficialFlagCode
        • PostcodeTypeCode
        • RPCCode
        • StateCode
        • StreetClassificationCode
        • StreetRecordTypeCode
        • StreetStateCode
        • StreetSurfaceCode
        • Time
        • USRNMatchIndicatorCode
      • AddressBase local custodian codes
      • AddressBase Islands local custodian codes
    • AddressBase
      • Release Notes
      • AddressBase Getting Started Guide
        • Prerequisites
        • Data supply
        • Working with CSV data
        • Working with GML data
        • Working with COU data
        • Creating a single-line or multi-line address
        • Searching for addresses
      • AddressBase Technical Specification
        • Data formats
        • Supply and update
        • AddressBase structure
        • Feature types
          • Address
          • AddressBase Supply Set
        • Code list and enumerations
        • CSV to GML mapping
        • Example records
          • CSV
          • GML
      • AddressBase Downloads
      • AddressBase Known Data Issues
    • AddressBase Core
      • Release Notes
        • 20 May 2025
        • 13 May 2025
        • 07 May 2025
        • 29 April 2025
        • 23 April 2025
        • 15 April 2025
        • 08 April 2025
        • 01 April 2025
        • 25 March 2025
        • 18 March 2025
      • AddressBase Core Overview
        • Data capture and sources
        • GeoPlace
        • Unique Property Reference Number (UPRN)
        • Coordinate reference systems
        • Classification
        • Currency, completeness and precision
        • Product supply
      • AddressBase Core Getting Started Guide
        • Downloading a dataset
        • Working with CSV data
        • Working with GPKG data
        • Working with COU data
        • Working with tiled data
      • AddressBase Core Technical Specification
        • Data formats
        • Supply and update
        • Attributes
        • Enumerations
        • Example records
      • AddressBase Core Downloads
      • AddressBase Core Known Data Issues
    • AddressBase Plus
      • Release Notes
      • AddressBase Plus Getting Started Guide
      • AddressBase Plus Technical Specification
        • Data formats
        • Supply and update
        • AddressBase Plus structure
        • Feature types
          • Address
          • AddressBase Supply Set
        • Code lists and enumerations
        • CSV to GML mapping
        • Example records
          • CSV
          • GML
      • AddressBase Plus Downloads
      • AddressBase Plus Known Data Issues
    • AddressBase Plus Islands
      • Release Notes
      • AddressBase Plus Islands Getting Started Guide
      • AddressBase Plus Islands Technical Specification
        • Data formats
        • Supply and update
        • AddressBase Plus Islands structure
        • Feature types
          • Address
          • AddressBase Supply Set
        • Code lists and enumerations
        • CSV to GML mapping
        • Example records
          • CSV
          • GML
      • AddressBase Plus Islands Downloads
      • AddressBase Plus Islands Known Data Issues
    • AddressBase Premium
      • Release Notes
      • AddressBase Premium Getting Started Guide
        • Prerequisites
        • Data supply
        • Working with CSV data
        • Working with GPKG data
        • Working with GML data
        • Working with COU data
        • Creating a single-line or multi-line address
        • Searching for addresses
      • AddressBase Premium Technical Specification
        • Data formats
        • Supply and update
        • AddressBase Premium structure
        • Feature types
          • Street – (Type 11 Record)
          • BLPU – (Type 21 Record)
          • AddressBase supply set
          • Feature with lifecycle
        • Structured data types
          • Street Descriptor – (Type 15 Record)
          • Application Cross Reference – (Type 23 Record)
          • LPI – (Type 24 Record)
          • Delivery Point Address – (Type 28 Record)
          • Successor Cross Reference – (Type 30 Record)
          • Organisation – (Type 31 Record)
          • Classification – (Type 32 Record)
          • Entity with lifecycle
        • Dataset metadata
          • Metadata – (Type 29 Record)
          • Header – (Type 10 Record)
          • Trailer – (Type 99 record)
        • Code lists and enumerations
        • Attribute format comparison
        • Example records
          • CSV
          • GML
      • AddressBase Premium Downloads
      • AddressBase Premium Known Data Issues
    • AddressBase Premium Islands
      • Release Notes
      • AddressBase Premium Islands Getting Started Guide
      • AddressBase Premium Islands Technical Specification
        • Release Notes
          • June 2024
        • Data formats
        • Supply and update
        • AddressBase Premium Islands structure
        • Feature types
          • Street – (Type 11 Record)
          • BLPU – (Type 21 Record)
          • AddressBase supply set
          • Feature with lifecycle
        • Structured data types
          • Street Descriptor – (Type 15 Record)
          • Application Cross Reference – (Type 23 Record)
          • LPI – (Type 24 Record)
          • Delivery Point Address – (Type 28 Record)
          • Successor Cross Reference – (Type 30 Record)
          • Organisation – (Type 31 Record)
          • Classification – (Type 32 Record)
          • Entity with lifecycle
        • Dataset metadata
          • Header – (Type 10 Record)
          • Metadata – (Type 29 Record)
          • Trailer – (Type 99 record)
        • Code lists and enumerations
        • Attribute format comparison
        • Example records
          • CSV
          • GML
      • AddressBase Premium Islands Downloads
      • AddressBase Premium Islands Known Data Issues
    • Boundary-Line
      • Release Notes
        • May 2025
        • October 2024
        • June 2024
      • Boundary-Line Overview
        • Data overview
        • Product supply
      • Boundary-Line Product Information
        • Relationships of administrative areas
        • Structure of Boundary-Line
        • Boundary-Line principles and features
        • Case studies
        • Metadata
        • Glossary
        • Exception areas
        • The coastline and associated items
      • Boundary-Line Technical Specification
        • Shapefile, TAB and GKPG
          • Features - Shapefile, TAB and GPKG
            • Area - GB
            • Area - English region
            • Area - Wales region
            • Link feature type
            • Area - Polling districts England
            • Historical and ceremonial boundaries features
          • Layers - Shapefile, TAB and GKPG
            • Shapefile
            • TAB
            • GKPG
          • Code lists - Shapefile, TAB and GKPG
            • AreaCode
            • TypeCode
        • GML
          • Features - GML
            • AdministrativeUnit
          • Code lists - GML
            • AdministrativeHierarchyValue
            • NationalClassificationValue
          • Example record - GML
        • Vector tiles
      • Guide to Ceremonial County Boundaries
      • Additional Product Details
      • Boundary-Line Downloads
      • Boundary-Line Known Data Issues
    • Code-Point
      • Code-Point Overview
        • Product details
        • Product supply
      • Code-Point Products Comparison
      • Code-Point Getting Started Guide
        • Product supply
        • Data structure
        • CSV file processing
        • Data measures
        • Metadata
        • Glossary
      • Code-Point Technical Specification
        • Product structure
        • Supply formats
      • Code-Point Downloads
      • Code-Point Known Data Issues
    • Code-Point Open
      • Code-Point Open Overview
        • Product details
        • Product supply
      • Code-Point Open Products Comparison
      • Code-Point Open Getting Started Guide
        • Requirements for using the data
        • CSV file processing
        • Data measures
        • Loading the data into a GIS
        • Glossary
      • Code-Point Open Technical Specification
        • Product structure
        • Supply formats overview
      • Code-Point Open Downloads
      • Code-Point Open Known Data Issues
    • Code-Point with Polygons
      • Release Notes
        • January 2025
      • Code-Point with Polygons Overview
        • Product details
        • Product supply
      • Code-Point with Polygons Products Comparison
      • Code-Point with Polygons Getting Started Guide
        • Using the vertical street lookup
        • Creating single-space postcodes
        • Data measures
      • Code-Point with Polygons Technical Specification
        • Data supply
        • Specification
      • Code-Point with Polygons Downloads
      • Code-Point with Polygons Known Data Issues
    • 🆕OS Emergency Services Gazetteer
      • 🆕OS ESG Overview
        • 🆕Product supply
        • 🆕Planned enhancements
      • OS ESG Getting Started Guide
      • OS ESG Technical Specification
        • Feature type
          • BLPU (Type 21 Record)
        • Structured data types
          • LPI (Type 24 Record)
          • Classification (Type 32 Record)
        • 🆕Code lists
          • AddressbasePostalCode
          • BLPUStateCode
          • ChangeTypeCode
          • 🆕ClassificationCode
          • CountryCode
          • FileTypeCode
          • LanguageCode
          • LogicalStatusCode
          • OfficialFlagCode
          • RPCCode
          • USRNMatchIndicatorCode
        • Dataset metadata
          • Header (Type 10 Record)
          • Metadata (Type 29 Record)
          • Trailer (Type 99 Record)
      • 🆕OS ESG FAQs
      • 🆕OS ESG Downloads
      • OS ESG Known Data Issues
    • OS Open Built Up Areas
      • Release notes
        • April 2024
      • OS Open Built Up Areas Overview
        • Product details
        • Product supply
      • OS Open Built Up Areas Technical Specification
        • Feature types
          • Built Up Areas
          • Built Up Extents
          • Non Built Up Extents
        • Structured data types
          • MultiSurfaceWithAreaType
          • NameType
        • Code list
          • LanguageValue
        • Supply formats
      • OS Open Built Up Areas Known Data Issues
    • OS Open Names
      • Release Notes
        • April 2025
        • January 2025
        • October 2024
        • July 2024
      • OS Open Names Overview
        • Product applications
        • Product details
        • Product supply
      • OS Open Names Getting Started Guide
        • Obtaining OS Open Names data
        • CSV file processing
        • Loading the data in a GIS
      • OS Open Names Technical Specification
        • Source of OS Open Names
        • Viewing resolution
        • Product structure
        • Feature type
          • NamedPlace
        • Code lists
          • LanguageValue
          • NamedPlaceTypeValue
          • LocalTypeValue
        • Structured data types
          • GeographicalName
          • Identifier
        • Local Type
        • Supply formats overview
        • Attribute naming format comparison
        • LocalType code list
      • OS Open Names Downloads
      • OS Open Names Known Data Issues
    • Points of Interest
      • Release Notes
        • March 2025
        • December 2024
        • September 2024
        • June 2024
      • Points of Interest Product Information
        • Using Points of Interest
        • Data measures and data sources
        • Classification scheme
        • Points of Interest Provenance
        • Glossary
        • Points of Interest symbology
      • Points of Interest Technical Specification
        • Using Points of Interest
        • Pipe delimited text (PDT) file format
          • Record structure
        • Code lists
          • Positional Accuracy
          • Match Indicator
        • Example records
        • Glossary
      • Points of Interest Classification Scheme
        • Accommodation, eating and drinking
        • Commercial services
        • Attractions
        • Sport and entertainment
        • Education and health
        • Public infrastructure
        • Manufacturing and production
        • Retail
        • Transport
      • Points of Interest Class Count
        • Accommodation, eating and drinking
        • Commercial services
        • Attractions
        • Sport and entertainment
        • Education and health
        • Public infrastructure
        • Manufacturing and production
        • Retail
        • Transport
      • Points of Interest Downloads
      • Points of Interest Known Data Issues
  • Contextual or derived mapping
    • Contextual or Derived Mapping Portfolio Information
    • Colour Raster Map Fundamentals
      • Colour Raster Map Overview
        • Metadata
        • Data compression
        • Data measures
        • Product supply
      • Colour Raster Map Technical Specification
        • Georeferencing
        • Image file directory (TIFF)
        • Abbreviations used on OS 1:25 000 and 1:50 000 scale mapping
        • Product glossary
    • 1:25 000 Scale Colour Raster
      • 1:25 000 Scale Colour Raster Overview
        • Product details
        • Features depicted in the product
        • Georeferencing
      • 1:25 000 Scale Colour Raster Technical Specification
      • 1:25 000 Scale Colour Raster Downloads
      • 1:25 000 Scale Colour Raster Known Data Issues
    • 1:50 000 Scale Colour Raster
      • 1:50 000 Scale Colour Raster Overview
        • Product details
        • Features depicted in the product
        • Georeferencing
      • 1:50 000 Scale Colour Raster Technical Specification
      • 1:50 000 Scale Colour Raster Downloads
      • 1:50 000 Scale Colour Raster Known Data Issues
    • 1:250 000 Scale Colour Raster
      • 1:250 000 Scale Colour Raster Overview
        • Product details
        • Georeferencing
        • Gazetteer
      • 1:250 000 Scale Colour Raster Technical Specification
      • 1:250 000 Scale Colour Raster Downloads
      • 1:250 000 Scale Colour Raster Known Data Issues
    • GB Overview Maps
      • GB Overview Maps Downloads
      • GB Overview Maps Known Data Issues
    • MiniScale
      • MiniScale Product Guide
        • Supply and formats
        • Georeferencing
        • Depiction of roads and towns
        • Data compression
        • Features, layers and styles
      • MiniScale Technical Specification
        • National Grid
        • MiniScale file management
      • MiniScale Downloads
      • Miniscale Known Data Issues
    • OS Open Zoomstack
      • OS Open Zoomstack Getting Started Guide
        • Zoomstack vector tiles
        • Zoomstack GeoPackage format
      • OS Open Zoomstack Technical Specification
        • List of Layers
        • Description of the cartographic styles
        • Sea Extent and Name Languages
        • Vector Tiles Schema
        • GeoPackage Schema
      • OS Open Zoomstack Known Data Issues
    • OS OpenMap – Local
      • Release Notes
        • April 2025
      • OS OpenMap – Local Overview
        • Product applications and uses
        • Product details
        • Product supply
      • OS OpenMap – Local Getting Started Guide
        • Loading raster data
        • Loading vector data
        • Loading and displaying GML Data
        • POSTGIS
        • Loading and displaying Shapefile supply
        • Viewing the data in QGIS
        • Using shapefiles in PostGIS
        • Using MapInfo Professional
      • OS OpenMap – Local Technical Specification
        • Data structure
        • Feature types
          • Building
          • ElectricityTransmissionLine
          • Glasshouse
          • RailwayStation
          • RailwayTrack
          • RailwayTunnel
          • Road
          • RoadTunnel
          • Roundabout
          • MotorwayJunction
          • CarChargingPoint
          • Foreshore
          • SurfaceWater_Area
          • SurfaceWater_Line
          • TidalBoundary
          • TidalWater
          • Woodland
          • FunctionalSite
          • ImportantBuilding
          • NamedPlace
        • Code lists
          • RailwayStationClassification
          • RailwayTrackClassification
          • DrawLevelValue
          • OverrideValue
          • RoadClassification
          • RoundaboutClassification
          • CarChargingType
          • RatedVoltage
          • ChargeMethod
          • TidalBoundaryClassification
          • BuildingTheme
          • BuildingClassification
          • SiteClassification
          • FontHeightClassification
          • NamedPlaceClassification
      • OS OpenMap – Local Downloads
      • OS OpenMap – Local Known Data Issues
    • OS VectorMap District
      • OS VectorMap District Overview
        • Generalisation
        • Feature types
        • Style definition
        • Product supply
      • OS VectorMap District Technical Specification
        • GML Overview
        • Raster Specification
        • Georeferencing
        • Feature types
          • Building
          • ElectricityTransmissionLine
          • Glasshouse
          • RailwayStation
          • RailwayTrack
          • RailwayTunnel
          • MotorwayJunction
          • Road
          • RoadTunnel
          • Roundabout
          • Foreshore
          • SurfaceWater_Area
          • SurfaceWater_Line
          • TidalBoundary
          • TidalWater
          • Ornament
          • Woodland
          • FunctionalSite
          • NamedPlace
          • SpotHeight
          • AdministrativeBoundary
        • Code lists
          • RailwayStationClassification
          • RailwayTrackClassification
          • RoadClassification
          • RoundaboutClassification
          • DrawLevelValue
          • OverrideValue
          • TidalBoundaryClassification
          • FunctionalSiteClassification
          • NamedPlaceClassification
          • FontHeightClassification
          • AdministrativeBoundaryClassification
        • Attributes
        • Feature Codes
        • Styling of Land and Sea
      • Vector Simple Guide
        • Downloading OS OpenData
        • Opening OS OpenData in QGIS
        • Styling vector data
        • Opening and saving maps in Composer
      • Raster Simple Guide
        • Downloading OS OpenData
        • Opening OS OpenData in QGIS
        • Opening and saving a map in composer
      • OS VectorMap District Downloads
      • OS VectorMap District Known Data Issues
    • OS VectorMap Local
      • Release Notes
        • January 2025
      • OS VectorMap Local Overview
        • Product details
        • Features represented in the product
        • Product style definition
        • Product supply
        • National Grid coverage for OS VectorMap Local
      • OS VectorMap Local Technical Specification
        • GeoPackage overview
        • GML overview
        • Raster data
        • Feature types
          • Area
          • Line
          • VectorMapPoint
          • RoadCLine
          • RailCLine
          • Text
        • Code lists
          • DrawLevelValue
          • AnchorPositionValue
          • TextFontValue
        • Structured data types
          • textRenderingType
        • Feature codes and descriptions
        • Vector tiles overview
        • Important Buildings classification
      • OS VectorMap Local Downloads
      • Supporting documents
        • OS VectorMap Local Cartographic Style Definitions
      • OS VectorMap Local Known Data Issues
  • Networks
    • Networks Portfolio Information
    • OS Detailed Path Network
      • OS Detailed Path Network Overview
        • Product details
        • Attribution
        • Product supply
        • Coordinate reference system
      • OS Detailed Path Network Getting Started Guide
        • Downloading the data
        • Loading GML data
      • OS Detailed Path Network Technical Specification
        • OS Detailed Path Network structure
        • Feature types
          • Route
          • RouteLink
          • RouteNode
        • Structured data types
          • VerticalGainType
        • Code lists
          • LevelCodeValue
          • PotentialHazardValue
          • RightOfWayValue
          • RouteDescriptiveGroupValue
          • RouteDescriptiveTermValue
          • RouteLinkDescriptiveTermValue
          • RouteNodeDescriptiveTermValue
          • SurfaceTypeValue
        • Data quality
        • GML overview
        • GeoPackage overview
          • Route
          • RouteLink
          • RouteNode
        • Vector Tiles overview
          • Route
          • RouteLink
        • GML examples
      • OS Detailed Path Network Downloads
      • OS Detailed Path Network Known Data Issues
    • OS MasterMap Highways Network Fundamentals
      • Release Notes
        • May 2025
        • April 2025
        • March 2025
        • February 2025
        • January 2025
        • December 2024
        • November 2024
        • October 2024
        • September 2024
        • August 2024
        • July 2024
        • June 2024
      • OS MasterMap Highways Network Product Family
      • OS MasterMap Highways Network Overview
        • Standards
        • Coordinate reference system
        • Feature types
          • Road Link (present in Roads & RAMI products)
          • Road Node (present in Roads & RAMI products)
          • Path Link (present in Paths product)
          • Path Node (present in Paths product)
          • Connecting Link (present in Paths product)
          • Connecting Node (Present in Paths product)
          • Road (present in Roads & RAMI products)
          • Path (present in Paths product)
          • Street (present in all OS MasterMap Highways Network products)
          • Road Junction (present in Roads & RAMI products)
          • Ferry Link (present in all OS MasterMap Highways Network products)
          • Ferry Node (present in all OS MasterMap Highways Network products)
          • Ferry Terminal (present in all OS MasterMap Highways Network products)
          • Access Restrictions (present in RAMI product)
          • Turn Restrictions (present in RAMI product)
          • Restrictions For Vehicles (present in RAMI product)
          • Hazards (present in RAMI product)
          • Structures (present in RAMI product)
          • Maintenance (present in RAMI & Paths products)
          • Reinstatement (present in RAMI & Paths products)
          • Highways Dedication (present in RAMI & Paths products)
          • Special Designations (present in RAMI & Paths products)
        • Product supply
        • Product packaging
        • File naming
        • Feature validation data set
        • Volume feature count
        • OS Open Roads Lookup Table
      • OS MasterMap Highways Network Getting Started Guide
        • What do I need to use this data?
        • Product supply
        • Coverage
        • Product packaging
        • File naming
        • Unzipping GML, GeoPackage, and vector tiles files
        • Loading OS MasterMap Highways Network products into a GIS
        • Relationships between Highways tables
      • OS MasterMap Highways Network Playbook
        • Connecting to Address Data
        • Identifying Change in the Network
        • Highlighting Roads Under Construction
        • Creating a Map of Winter Gritting Routes
        • Adding Road Names and Numbers to a Map
        • Merging Tables and Dropping Geometry
        • Creating a Routable Network
      • OS MasterMap Highways Network Downloads
      • OS MasterMap Highways Network Known Data Issues
    • OS MasterMap Highways Network – Roads
      • OS MasterMap Highways Network Overview
      • OS MasterMap Highways Network – Roads Technical Specification
        • Specification changes
        • Structure
        • How the product fits together
        • Change-Only Update (COU) supply
        • Feature types
          • RoadLink
          • RoadNode
          • Road
          • Street
          • RoadJunction
          • FerryLink
          • FerryNode
          • FerryTerminal
        • Structured data types
          • identifier
          • OperationalStateType
          • DesignatedNameType
          • ResponsibleAuthority
          • CycleFacilityType
          • ElevationGainType
          • RoadWidthType
        • Code lists and Enumerations
          • ChangeValue
          • RoadClassificationValue
          • RoadFunctionValue
          • MatchStatusValue
          • OperationalStateValue
          • ProvenanceSourceValue
          • RoadStructureValue
          • LinkDirectionValue
          • FormOfWayValue
          • CycleFacilityValue
          • RoadWidthConfidenceLevelValue
          • FormOfRoadNodeValue
          • RoadNodeClassificationValue
          • AccessPointValue
          • StreetTypeValue
          • JunctionTypeValue
          • ConnectionTypeValue
          • FormOfWaterwayNodeValue
        • GML overview
        • GeoPackage overview
          • ferry_link
          • ferry_node
          • ferry_terminal
          • road
          • road_junction
          • road_link
          • road_node
          • street
        • Vector tiles overview
          • ferry_link
          • ferry_node
          • ferry_node
          • road_link
          • road_node
          • street
        • GML examples
      • OS MasterMap Highways Network Getting Started Guide
      • OS MasterMap Highways Network Known Data Issues
    • OS MasterMap Highways Network – Routing and Asset Management Information
      • OS MasterMap Highways Network Overview
      • OS MasterMap Highways Network – Routing and Asset Management Information Technical Specification
        • Specification changes
        • How the product fits together
        • Routing and Asset Management feature information
          • Data types
            • NetworkReference
            • NodeReference
            • LinkReference
            • PointReference
            • Multiple Link Reference
            • Point Reference
        • Common attribution
        • Rights and Restrictions
          • Feature types
            • AccessRestriction
            • HighwayDedication
            • TurnRestriction
            • RestrictionForVehicles
        • Advisory information
          • Feature types
            • Hazard
            • Structure
        • Asset management
          • Feature types
            • Maintenance
            • Reinstatement
            • Special Designation
        • Change-Only Update (COU) supply
        • Code lists and enumerations
          • ChangeValue
          • UseTypeValue
          • VehicleTypeValue
          • LoadTypeValue
          • NamedDateValue
          • NamedDayValue
          • NamedPeriodValue
          • NamedTimeValue
          • AccessRestrictionValue
          • DedicationValue
          • TurnRestrictionValue
          • RestrictionTypeValue
          • HazardTypeValue
          • StructureTypeValue
          • ReinstatementTypeValue
          • SpecialDesignationTypeValue
          • LinkDirectionValue
          • MaintenanceValue
        • Data types
          • TemporalPropertyType
          • DateRangeType
          • DayPropertyType
          • TimePropertyType
          • TimeRangeType
          • TrafficRegulationOrderType
          • VehicleQualifier
          • ResponsibleAuthority
          • Identifier
        • GML overview
        • GeoPackage overview
          • Access Restriction
          • Highway Dedication
          • Turn Restriction
          • Restriction for Vehicles
          • Hazard Point
          • Hazard
          • Structure Point
          • Structure
          • Maintenance
          • Maintenance Point
          • Maintenance Line
          • Maintenance Area
          • Reinstatement
        • GML examples
      • OS MasterMap Highways Network Getting Started Guide
      • OS MasterMap Highways Network Known Data Issues
    • OS MasterMap Highways Network – Paths
      • OS MasterMap Highways Network Overview
      • OS MasterMap Highways Network – Paths Technical Specification
        • Specification changes
        • Structure
        • How does the product fit together?
        • Change-Only Update (COU) Supply
        • Feature types
          • PathLink
          • PathNode
          • ConnectingLink
          • ConnectingNode
          • Path
          • Street
          • FerryLink
          • FerryNode
          • FerryTerminal
          • Maintenance
          • Reinstatement
          • SpecialDesignation
          • HighwayDedication
        • Structured data types
          • Identifier
          • CycleFacilityType
          • ElevationGainType
          • OperationalStateType
          • DesignatedNameType
          • ResponsibleAuthority
          • TemporalPropertyType
          • DateRangeType
          • DayPropertyType
          • TimePropertyType
          • TimeRangeType
        • Data types
          • NetworkReferenceLocation
          • Temporal Properties
        • Code lists and Enumerations
          • ChangeValue
          • FormOfWayValue
          • SurfaceTypeValue
          • MatchStatusValue
          • ProvenanceSourceValue
          • CycleFacilityValue
          • FormOfRoadNodeValue
          • RoadNodeClassificationValue
          • OperationalStateValue
          • StreetTypeValue
          • ConnectionTypeValue
          • FormOfWaterwayNodeValue
          • DedicationValue
          • ReinstatementTypeValue
          • SpecialDesignationTypeValue
          • MaintenanceValue
        • GML Overview
        • GeoPackage overview
          • connecting_link
          • connecting_node
          • ferry_link
          • ferry_node
          • ferry_terminal
          • highway_dedication
          • maintenance
          • path
          • path_link
          • path_node
          • reinstatement
          • special_designation
          • street
        • Vector tiles overview
          • connecting_node
          • ferry_link
          • ferry_node
          • highway_dedication
          • path_link
          • path_node
          • street
        • GML examples
      • OS MasterMap Highways Network Getting Started Guide
      • OS MasterMap Highways Network Known Data Issues
    • OS MasterMap Water Network Layer
      • Release Notes
        • April 2025
        • January 2025
        • October 2024
        • April 2024
      • OS MasterMap Water Network Layer Overview
        • Feature types in the product
        • Standards and CRS
        • Product supply
      • OS MasterMap Water Network Layer Getting Started Guide
        • Requirements for using the data
        • Structure of the supplied data
        • Loading GML data into a GIS
        • Creating a water network using ESRI software
      • OS MasterMap Water Network Layer Technical Specification
        • Product notes
          • January 2022 product notes
        • Product structure
        • Feature types
          • WatercourseLink
          • HydroNode
        • Structured data types
          • LinearReference
          • PointReference
        • Code lists and enumerations
          • LinkDirectionValue
          • WatercourseFormValue
          • WatercourseProvenanceValue
          • LevelOfDetailValue
          • ReasonForChangeValue
          • VerticalPositionValue
          • HydroNodeCategoryValue
          • WatercourseTypeValue
        • Feature types for future release
          • WatercourseSeparatedCrossing
          • WatercourseLinkSet
          • WatercourseInteraction
        • GML overview
        • GeoPackage overview
          • WatercourseLink
          • HydroNode
        • Vector tiles overview
          • Attribute naming differences
          • HydroNode
        • Data provenance
        • Additional resources
      • OS MasterMap Water Network Layer Downloads
      • OS MasterMap Water Network Layer Known Data Issues
    • 🆕OS Multi-modal Routing Network
      • OS MRN Overview
        • Product supply
        • Coordinate reference system
        • Feature types overview
          • Transport Link overview
          • Transport Node overview
          • Turn Restriction overview
        • OpenStreetMap schema
        • Modal change
        • Grade separation
      • OS MRN Getting Started Guide
        • pgRouting
        • GraphHopper
        • OpenTripPlanner
        • Working with OpenStreetMap files
      • OS MRN Technical Specification
        • Feature types
          • Transport Link
          • Transport Node
          • Turn Restriction
        • Code lists
          • AccessValue
          • BridgeValue
          • FordValue
          • HighwayValue
          • JunctionValue
          • OneWayValue
          • RailServiceValue
          • RailwayValue
          • RestrictionLabelValue
          • RouteValue
          • TunnelValue
      • OS MRN Known Data Issues
    • OS Open Rivers
      • Release notes
        • April 2025
        • October 2024
      • OS Open Rivers Overview
        • OS Open Rivers Data
        • Product supply
        • Coverage and file sizes
      • OS Open Rivers Technical Specification
        • Product structure
        • Feature types
          • WatercourseLink
          • HydroNode
        • Code lists
          • LinkDirectionValue
          • WatercourseFormValue
          • HydroNodeCategoryValue
        • GML overview
        • Esri shapefile overview
          • WatercourseLink
          • HydroNode
        • GeoPackage overview
          • GeoPackage format changes April 2023
          • WatercourseLink
          • HydroNode
        • Vector tiles overview
          • Vector tiles schema
          • WatercourseLink
          • HydroNode
      • OS Open Rivers Downloads
      • OS Open Rivers Known Data Issues
    • OS Open Roads
      • Release notes
        • April 2025
        • October 2024
        • April 2024
      • OS Open Roads Overview
        • OS Open Roads Data
        • Feature types
        • Product supply
        • Coverage and file sizes
      • OS Open Roads Technical Specification
        • Product structure
        • Feature types
          • RoadLink
          • RoadNode
          • MotorwayJunction
        • Code lists and enumerations
          • RoadClassificationValue
          • RoadFunctionValue
          • FormOfWayValue
          • RoadStructureValue
          • FormOfRoadNodeValues
        • GML overview
        • Esri shapefile overview
          • RoadLink
          • RoadNode
        • GeoPackage overview
          • RoadLink
          • RoadNode
        • Vector Tiles overview
          • RoadLink
          • RoadNode
          • MotorwayJunction
      • OS Open Roads Downloads
      • OS Open Roads Known Data Issues
  • Topography
    • Topography Portfolio Information
    • OS MasterMap Topography Layer – Building Height Attribute
      • Release Notes
        • April 2025
        • October 2024
        • April 2024
      • OS MasterMap Topography Layer – Building Height Attribute Overview
        • Product details
        • Product attributes
        • Product supply information
        • Product data
      • OS MasterMap Topography Layer – Building Height Attribute Getting Started Guide
        • What do I need to use this data?
        • Product supply information
        • Managing .csv data
        • Loading data into a GIS
        • Joining Building Height Attribute data to a OS MasterMap Topography Layer
        • Importing data into a database
      • OS MasterMap Topography Layer – Building Height Attribute Technical Specification
        • Product supply
        • Product structure
        • Feature type
          • Building Height Attribute
        • Code list
          • BHA_ConfValue
        • Example record
      • OS MasterMap Topography Layer – Building Height Attribute Downloads
      • OS MasterMap Topography Layer – Building Height Attribute Known Data Issues
    • OS MasterMap Greenspace Layer
      • Release Notes
        • April 2025
        • October 2024
      • OS MasterMap Greenspace Layer Overview
        • Product details
        • Function and form
        • Data creation
        • Product supply
      • OS MasterMap Greenspace Layer Getting Started Guide
        • Using GeoPackage and Vector Tile formats
        • QGIS
        • ArcGIS ArcMap
        • PostGIS
        • MapInfo Professional
        • CadCorp Map Modeller
        • Loading the data
      • OS MasterMap Greenspace Layer Technical Specification
        • Product classification and structure
        • Feature types
          • Greenspace Area
        • Code lists and Enumerations
          • Function
          • Form
        • Function hierarchy
        • Form hierarchy
        • OS Open Greenspace lookup table
        • GML overview
        • ESRI Shapefile overview
        • GeoPackage overview
        • Vector Tiles overview
        • Attribute mapping
        • GML example record
      • OS MasterMap Greenspace Layer Downloads
      • OS MasterMap Greenspace Layer Known Data Issues
    • OS MasterMap Sites Layer
      • Release Notes
        • April 2025
        • October 2024
        • April 2024
      • OS MasterMap Sites Layer Overview
        • Product details
        • Product supply
        • Coordinate reference systems
        • Product glossary
      • OS MasterMap Sites Layer Getting Started Guide
        • QGIS
        • Cadcorp SIS Desktop
        • FME Desktop
        • ArcGIS and ArcMap
        • MapInfo Professional
        • Astun Technology GML/KML Loader
      • OS MasterMap Sites Layer Technical Specification
        • Data specification overview
        • Theme definitions
          • Air transport
          • Education
          • Medical care
          • Rail transport
          • Road transport
          • Water transport
          • Utility or industrial
        • Functional site extent overview
        • Access point overview
        • Routing point overview
        • Feature types
          • FunctionalSite
          • AccessPoint
          • RoutingPoint
        • Enumerations
          • FunctionStatusValue
          • StakeholderRoleValue
          • ExtentDefinitionValue
          • AccessTypeValue
          • NatureOfAccessValue
          • AccessUseRestrictionValue
          • AccessMechanismValue
          • AccessDirectionValue
          • ReasonForChangeValue
        • Code lists
          • FunctionValue
          • FunctionThemeValue
        • Geometry
        • GML
        • GeoPackage
          • Functional Site attributes
          • Access Point attributes
          • Routing Point
        • Vector tiles
      • OS MasterMap Sites Layer Downloads
      • OS MasterMap Sites Layer Known Data Issues
    • OS MasterMap Topography Layer
      • Release Notes
        • April 2025
        • March 2025
        • February 2025
        • December 2024
        • November 2024
        • September 2024
        • August 2024
        • June 2024
        • May 2024
        • April 2024
      • Product Refresh Dates
      • OS MasterMap Topography Layer Overview
        • Product purpose
        • Product applications
        • Product details
        • Styling
        • Product themes
        • Coordinate reference systems
        • Product supply
          • Product supply mechanism and options
          • GML supply options
          • Updating data holdings
        • Change management and data association
      • OS MasterMap Topography Layer Getting Started Guide
        • QGIS
        • ArcGIS Pro
        • ArcMap
        • Cadcorp SIS Desktop Express
        • MapInfo Professional
        • FME Desktop
        • Astun Technology GML/KML Loader
      • OS MasterMap Topography Layer Getting Started with Styling Guide
        • Styling method overview
        • How to use the SQL scripts
        • How to use the stylesheets
        • Attribute tables
      • OS MasterMap Topography Layer Standard Styling Specification
        • Cartographic styling
        • Cartographic style definitions
        • Cartographic styling for new descriptive terms
          • TopographicArea
          • TopographicLine
          • TopographicPoint
        • Shared symbol geometry
        • Point symbols
        • Fill symbols
        • Compound symbols
        • Pattern definitions
        • Line styles
        • Cartographic descriptive term style definitions
      • OS MasterMap Topography Layer Technical Specification
        • File naming
        • Supply mechanisms
        • Product themes
          • Administrative Boundaries
          • Buildings
          • Heritage and Antiquities
          • Land
          • Rail
          • Roads, Tracks, and Paths
          • Structures
          • Terrain and Height
          • Water
        • Feature types
          • TopographicPoint
          • TopographicLine
          • TopographicArea
          • BoundaryLine
          • CartographicSymbol
          • CartographicText
        • Complex attributes
          • ChangeHistoryType
          • HeightAboveDatumType
          • HeightAboveGroundLevelType
          • TextRenderingType
        • Enumerations
          • ThemeValue
          • DescriptiveGroupValue
          • AccuracyOfPositionValue
          • ReasonForChangeValue
          • PhysicalPresenceValue
          • MakeValue
          • DescriptiveTermValue
        • Geometric data types
        • Topology
        • Seamless data supply
        • Feature lifecycles and tracking change
          • Polygon feature lifecycle rules
          • Line feature lifecycle rules
          • General point feature lifecycle rules
        • GML overview
          • GML examples
        • GeoPackage overview
        • Vector tiles overview
        • Attribute mapping
        • Geometry mapping
        • COU overview
        • Feature code lookup table
        • Change value descriptions
        • Administrative boundary alignments
      • OS MasterMap Topography Layer Downloads
      • OS MasterMap Topography Layer Known Data Issues
    • OS Open Greenspace
      • Release Notes
        • April 2025
        • October 2024
      • OS Open Greenspace Overview
        • Product details
        • Data creation
        • Product supply
      • OS Open Greenspace Getting Started Guide
        • QGIS
        • ESRI ArcGIS
        • PostGIS
        • MapInfo Professional
        • Cadcorp Map Modeller
      • OS Open Greenspace Technical Specification
        • Data structure
        • Feature types
          • GreenspaceSite
          • AccessPoint
        • Code lists
          • AccessTypeValue
          • FunctionValue
        • GML overview
        • GeoPackage overview
        • Vector tiles overview
        • Attribute mapping
      • OS Open Greenspace Downloads
      • OS Open Greenspace Known Data Issues
  • Identifiers
    • Identifiers Portfolio Information
    • OS Open Identifiers Family Information
    • OS Open Linked Identifiers
      • Release Notes
        • May 2025 – Epoch 43
        • March 2025 – Epoch 42
        • February 2025 – Epoch 41
        • January 2025 – Epoch 40
        • November 2024 – Epoch 39
        • October 2024 – Epoch 38
        • August 2024 – Epoch 37
        • July 2024 – Epoch 36
      • OS Open Linked Identifiers Overview
        • Uses of OS Open Linked Identifiers
        • Product details
      • OS Open Linked Identifiers Getting Started Guide
        • Linked identifiers
        • Instructions to install/load into a database application
      • OS Open Linked Identifiers Technical Specification
        • Product structure
        • Linked Identifier data (CSV) attributes
        • Product Version Information file (JSON)
        • RoadLink_TOID_TopographicArea_TOID_2
        • Road_TOID_TopographicArea_TOID_3
        • Street_USRN_TopographicArea_TOID_4
        • BLPU_UPRN_TopographicArea_TOID_5
        • RoadLink_TOID_Road_TOID_7
        • RoadLink_TOID_Street_USRN_8
        • BLPU_UPRN_RoadLink_TOID_9
        • Road_TOID_Street_USRN_10
        • BLPU_UPRN_Street_USRN_11
        • ORRoadLink_GUID_RoadLink_TOID_12
        • ORRoadNode_GUID_RoadLink_TOID_13
      • OS Open Linked Identifiers Known Data Issues
    • OS Open TOID
      • Release Notes
        • May 2025 – Epoch 43
        • March 2025 – Epoch 42
        • February 2025 – Epoch 41
        • January 2025 – Epoch 40
        • November 2024 – Epoch 39
        • September 2024 – Epoch 38
        • August 2024 – Epoch 37
        • July 2024 – Epoch 36
      • OS Open TOID Overview
        • Product supply
        • Coordinate reference system
      • OS Open TOID Technical Specification
        • Product Details
        • Data structure
        • Product Supply
      • OS Open TOID Known Data Issues
    • OS Open UPRN
      • Release Notes
        • May 2025
        • March 2025
        • February 2025
        • December 2024
        • November 2024
        • September 2024
      • OS Open UPRN Overview
        • Product supply
        • Coordinate reference systems
      • OS Open UPRN Technical Specification
        • Feature type
          • OS Open UPRN
      • OS Open UPRN Known Data Issues
    • OS Open USRN
      • Release Notes
        • May 2025
        • April 2025
        • March 2025
        • February 2025
        • January 2025
        • December 2024
        • November 2024
        • October 2024
        • September 2024
        • August 2024
        • July 2024
      • OS Open USRN Overview
        • Product supply
        • Coordinate reference system
      • OS Open USRN Technical Specification
        • Street Type
        • Feature type
          • OS Open USRN
        • Geometry
        • Metadata
      • OS Open USRN Known Data Issues
  • Height and imagery
    • Height and Imagery Portfolio Information
    • 🆕OS 3D Mesh (Beta Product)
      • 🆕OS 3D Mesh Overview
        • 🆕Product data
        • 🆕Feature modelling
      • 🆕OS 3D Mesh Getting Started Guide
        • 🆕Importing an OS integrated mesh model into ArcGIS Pro
          • 🆕Navigation
          • 🆕Scene lighting
          • 🆕Adding additional vector data
          • 🆕Adding 2D polygon layers
          • 🆕Adding 3D line feature layers
          • 🆕Adding point datasets
          • 🆕Adding miscellaneous 3D models
          • 🆕'Line of sight' analysis
          • 🆕Animation
        • 🆕Importing an OS integrated mesh model into ArcGIS Online
          • 🆕Adding data to AGOL
          • 🆕Creating a 3D scene
          • 🆕Adding an OS mesh
          • 🆕Spatial reference systems
          • 🆕Defining 'Layer Style' options
          • 🆕Polygon layers
          • 🆕Line layers
          • 🆕Point layers
          • 🆕Text labels
          • 🆕Custom 3D models
          • 🆕Spatial analysis and reporting
    • OS Terrain 5
      • OS Terrain 5 Overview
        • Product supply
        • Pre-requisites
        • Data structure
        • Source data
        • The National Grid
      • OS Terrain 5 Technical Specification
        • Grid data
        • Contour data
        • GML Feature types
        • Esri shapefile
        • Metadata
        • Product glossary
      • OS Terrain 5 Downloads
      • OS Terrain 5 Known Data Issues
    • OS Terrain 50
      • OS Terrain 50 Overview
        • Product supply
        • Pre-requisites
        • Data structure
        • Source data
      • OS Terrain 50 Technical Specification
        • Grid data
        • Contour data
        • GML Feature Types
        • Esri Shapefile
        • GeoPackage
        • Vector tiles
        • Metadata
        • Product glossary
      • OS Terrain 50 Downloads
      • OS Terrain 50 Known Data Issues
    • OS MasterMap Imagery Layer
      • OS MasterMap Imagery Layer Technical Specification
        • Image appearance
        • Ancillary files
      • OS MasterMap Imagery Layer Downloads
      • OS MasterMap Imagery Layer Known Data Issues
  • Getting Started
    • Getting Started with GeoPackage
      • Accessing GeoPackage data via GIS software
      • Loading GeoPackage into a database
      • Reading GeoPackage data via FME
    • Getting Started with Vector Tiles
      • Installing vector tiles in GIS software
      • Using OS styles to get started in Mapbox Studio
      • Hosting and serving your own vector tiles
      • Using OS styles on vector tiles you have created
      • Product downloads
  • Resources
    • 📅Product Refresh Dates
    • 📣Product Announcements
    • 🗺️PSGA Product Summary
    • 🔍OS MasterMap Product Viewer Tool
    • OS Product Roadmap
    • End of Life Product Notices
      • End of Life Notice – OS MasterMap Water Network Layer
    • Accessibility
    • Contact Us
    • 📃Terms and Conditions
    • 📔Open Identifiers Policy
    • Use of NSG and OS Data
Powered by GitBook
On this page
  • Polling districts
  • Historic counties
  • Ceremonial counties
  • Classes, levels and types of boundaries included in Boundary-Line
  • Civil parish ward data
  • Polygons in the parish files with no information
  • Changes to new parishes reflected in Boundary-Line data
  • The difference between the boundaries contained in the OSMM Topography Layer and Boundary-Line data
  • The difference between nested and layered boundaries
  • Nested boundaries
  • Layered boundaries
  • Area values of each polygon
  • Boundaries shown in OS MasterMap Topography Layer
  • Alignment of boundaries at particular locations
  • Boundary-Line data showing the new boundaries
  • Change Only Updates (COU)
  • The extent of realm (EOR)
  • Boundary-Line and items that ‘extend’ into the sea

Was this helpful?

Export as PDF
  1. Addressing and Location
  2. Boundary-Line

Additional Product Details

PreviousGuide to Ceremonial County BoundariesNextBoundary-Line Downloads

Last updated 1 month ago

Was this helpful?

Historical information, Boundary-Line code changes, historic counties files and ceremonial counties files are available to download from the .

Polling districts

A Polling Districts layer is included as a supplementary file within the product. We do not routinely maintain this layer as uptake has been limited and the vast majority of areas are frozen since 2016 when information was sourced through the Boundaries Commission for England (BCE). Changes to Polling Districts are notified exclusively to BCE and OS do not receive the change information from local authorities directly.

In 2021, we completed a task for the BCE to update the following areas all of which are Operational before or on 5 May 2022:

Barking & Dagenham
Barnet
Barnsley
Basingstoke & Deane

Bexley

Birmingham

Bolton

Bradford

Bromley

Buckinghamshire

Bury

Calderdale

Corby

Coventry

Croydon

Doncaster

Greenwich

Hackney

Hammersmith & Fulham

Harrow

Havering

Hillingdon

Hounslow

Islington

Kensington & Chelsea

Kettering

Kingston upon Thames

Kirklees

Knowsley

Lambeth

Leeds

Lewisham

Liverpool

Manchester

Merton

Newcastle upon Tyne

Newham

North Northamptonshire

North Tyneside

Oldham

Plymouth

Redbridge

Richmond upon Thames

Rochdale

Salford

Sandwell

Sefton

Sheffield

South Lakeland

South Northamptonshire

South Tyneside

Southwark

St. Helens

Stockport

Sutton

Tameside

Tower Hamlets

Trafford

Walsall

Wandsworth

West Berkshire

West Northamptonshire

Wirral

Wolverhampton

A polling district is a geographical area created by local authorities to assist the administrative process of running an election. Each ward or electoral division in England and Wales is divided into one or more polling districts.

In England, each parish is to be a separate polling district and, in Wales, each community should be a separate polling district, unless there are special circumstances. This means that a parish or community must not be in a polling district which has a part of either a different parish or community within it, or any un-parished part of the local authority area within it, unless special circumstances apply. Those special circumstances could arise if, for example, the parish/community has only a small number of electors and it is not practicable for the parish/community to be its own polling district

The Welsh equivalent (community wards) are also released as a supplementary data set, the Scottish equivalent are not supplied.

Historic counties

Ceremonial counties

Classes, levels and types of boundaries included in Boundary-Line

Boundary-Line contains all the current (operative) administrative and electoral boundaries for Great Britain.

They consist of:

  • Civil parishes

  • Wards

  • Communities

  • Districts

  • Counties

  • Metropolitan districts

  • Unitary authorities

  • Parliamentary constituencies

  • Electoral divisions

  • London boroughs

  • Greater London authorities

  • Greater London authority assembly constituencies

  • European electoral regions

  • Welsh assembly constituencies

  • Welsh assembly electoral regions

  • Scottish parliamentary constituencies

  • Scottish parliamentary electoral regions.

The product also contains mean high water mark (MHW), extent of realm (EOR) also census agency codes supplied by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), and the National Records of Scotland (NRS).

Civil parish ward data

Civil parish wards are not shown in Boundary-Line. We only show the parish, we do not show the internal parish wards or any associated council references.

Polygons in the parish files with no information

We have polygons in the parish data that do not have any attribution – no records attached, formally known as Non Civil Parishes (NCP's- i.e. Non Parished Areas), these ‘blank’ polygons are shown to complete the parish layer, because a polygon dataset cannot have ‘gaps’:

  • Parish polygon attributes will only be populated if Ordnance Survey has the information from the local authority

  • Parishes do not exist as a result of being superseded by other local government units, i.e. unitary authority areas will not have parishes.

Changes to new parishes reflected in Boundary-Line data

The length of time changes to new parishes take to be reflected in Boundary-Line data is based on the following information.

Parishes are created and managed separately from the other electoral and administrative boundaries represented in Boundary-Line. To amend a parish, the Parish councillors make an appropriate submission to their Local Authority.

The information relating to the parish changes should then be sent to Ordnance Survey directly from the Local Authorities, as they are required to inform Ordnance Survey of any name changes under the Local Government Act (1972) and the more recent Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act (2007) for name and boundary alignments.

On receipt of the parish update information we would expect to capture that in the appropriate Boundary-Line 6 monthly scheduled releases. We can only amend the parish boundaries after receiving this official notification.

Additional parish information updates will be more frequently available, once confirmation is received, as the large scale OS MasterMap Topography boundary information is continuously updated.

The difference between the boundaries contained in the OSMM Topography Layer and Boundary-Line data

Boundary-Line is a separate product from OS MasterMap Topography; the Topography Layer is captured at a different scale and from a different production system.

Only OSMM Topography Layer currently holds the definitive and more accurate boundary information as the boundaries are mered (aligned to) real-world features on the ground. Captured at mapping scales of 1:1 250 (for urban areas), 1:2 500 (for rural) and 1:10k (for mountain and moorland). All electoral and administrative boundaries are contained within the OSMM Topographic layer. It is a point and line structured dataset and does not contain polygons.

Boundary-Line is captured against a lower resolution mapping backdrop and the boundaries are captured to represent the data at a nominal 1:10 000 viewing scale. The process of generalising the data may have caused some features to be moved from their true ground position for the purpose of map clarity. The result is that Boundary-Line and the OSMM Topographic boundaries are not always coincident (when overlaid they will not always have the same alignment). Boundary-Line is a polygon structured dataset.

These datasets are not designed to be used together as they will not give exact replication of boundary position.

The difference between nested and layered boundaries

Nested boundaries

The data is supplied by named files, all the named files include all of the other sub‑levels of electoral boundaries that belong under that high level administration (for example, County file) will have the named county, district, district ward, civil parish, county ED contained within. Unitary authorities will have named unitary authority, unitary authority ward or unitary authority ED as appropriate, civil parish where appropriate, together with community in Wales. The nested structure is only available in ESRI Shapefile.

Layered boundaries

This is a simplified file structure supplying the boundaries as individual files, for example, County file contains only counties, and unitary authorities file contains just unitary authorities. The layered structure is only available in ESRI Shapefile.

Area values of each polygon

Area values of each polygon in Boundary‑Line include the Extent Of Realm (EOR) limit. The total area values are quoted to the current Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) specification of 0.001 hectare.

However, other government statistical department data is based on Standard Area Measurements (SAM), which only includes the land area contained within a polygon deleting any inland hydrology or EOR areas.

Boundaries shown in OS MasterMap Topography Layer

The boundaries shown in OS MasterMap Topography Layer do not represent legal property extents and are only representative of the electoral and administrative boundaries. For ‘property extents’ it would be advisable to contact Land Registry directly.

Alignment of boundaries at particular locations

There may be three reasons for the boundary at a particular location not aligning where it was presumed it should be:

  1. OSMM Topography boundaries were affected by our Positional Accuracy Improvement programme (PAI). This programme enabled Ordnance Survey to produce a more consistent accuracy standard of mapping data, for rural areas and to future-proof the data for the addition of new building development and other feature changes. This meant some realignment of the ground features which meant the associated boundary position had to be moved to match them. Boundary-Line is a boundary dataset that is generally in alignment with the large-scale data positioning, but it may vary slightly due to the PAI giving different positions or that the 1:10000 scale mapping used to digitise Boundary-Line against cannot show the features in detail so giving a best placement based on the textural descriptions and mapping used.

  2. It may be that the update cycle for the mapping is less frequent than the boundary data so there may be a difference in the currency of information.

  3. Natural and gradual change: In naturally flowing watercourses the bed of the river or stream, through natural action gradually moves by erosion and silting. This may over a lengthy period of time result in considerable change to the position of the watercourse. Where a boundary is defined as being related to the watercourse which slowly and imperceptibly changes its course the boundary will be aligned to the altered channel.

Boundary-Line data showing the new boundaries

Boundary-Line is updated and released twice a year, in May and October. Each release will have all the new and amended boundaries that are operative (live) within a one year period (1st May to 31st April). We only show the current operative boundaries in the Boundary-Line product.

However, due to market requirements we have supplied alongside the Boundary-Line product future dated (pre-operative) Westminster Parliamentary boundaries. These supplementary files will only be included in the Boundary-Line product at the next suitable release, after the General Election has taken place. This future dated boundary data is part of the specification and so is included in the Boundary-Line licence fee.

Change Only Updates (COU)

Change Only Update data is not available for this product due to the current and future boundary complex relationships within the production system.

The extent of realm (EOR)

The EOR is the seaward limit of the administrative units. The boundary alignment is digitised to the Mean Low Water (springs) MLWS) to represent the seaward extent within Boundary-Line.

Boundary-Line and items that ‘extend’ into the sea

Boundary-Line does not show all items that ‘extend’ into the sea. We show structures such as a pier, seaward extension or structure in the sea that has been included in a specific Act of Parliament, and or are a permanent and solid structure (i.e. Brighton marina). Piers and extensions that are elevated over the sea; on stilts or floating pontoons, will only be included if they are identified as being part of the local authority area by an Act of Parliament. Structures in the sea can be separate or joined to the mainland; if they are joined to the mainland they are generally included in local government and parliamentary areas. If separate they are not included unless they are included therein by legislation for example Torbay and Bristol.

The boundaries of historic counties such as Westmorland, Radnorshire and Wigtownshire from the late Nineteenth Century are available to download from the .

The ceremonial county boundaries of Great Britain, such as Bedfordshire, Berkshire and the West Midlands are available to download from the .

Boundary-Line Downloads page
Boundary-Line Downloads page
Boundary-Line Downloads page