Stanfords Blog

Stanfords Specialist Mapping Services

As well as stores in London and Bristol, we also have a Stanfords For Business map team in Manchester who specialise in mapping for Planning Applications, Land Registry enquiries and much more.

Some customer orders we have worked on include aerial maps of places of worship for a community project, A-Z mapping for a college to help new students familiarise themselves with the local area, historical mapping for a sports club celebrating an anniversary, OS planning application mapping for a farmhouse wanting to add an outbuilding and an OS 1:25k site centred map showing the location of an engagement to give as a wedding gift.

Stanfords is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of mapping and geographic data.

Louise Minchin on Travel// 2025 Stanfords Travel Writers Festival

Journalist and broadcaster Louise Minchin has travelled a lot for work, but also while researching her non-fiction title Fearless, which detailed the lives of 17 extraordinary women, in places as diverse as Argentina, Finland and Alcatraz. Talking about this, and her new thriller, Isolation Island, set on a remote Scottish island, Louise discusses the delights and challenges of a working trip with Ann Morgan.

This is a live recording from Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show at Olympia, London on 31 January 2025.

Isolation Island is available now for £20

Fearless is available for £11.

Petroc Trelawny’s Cornwall// 2025 Stanfords Travel Writers Festival

Petroc Trelawny grew up on the Lizard Peninsula in the far south of Cornwall. His new book is part history, part memoir and a deeply felt exploration of Cornwall. Talking to Ann Morgan, he takes us by road, rail and foot, visiting old mine workings, ancient churches, sites where new technology was forged, and places where poets, musicians, architects and film makers have worked to shape Cornwall’s cultural identity.

Why We Travel with Phoebe Smith & Ash Bhardwaj// 2025 Stanfords Travel Writers Festival

What are the benefits of travelling, and why do so many of us feel compelled to do it? Ash Bhardwaj, author of Why We Travel, is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster, whose work explores the intersection of travel, current affairs and human behaviour. Phoebe Smith is an award-winning adventurer, presenter, broadcaster, author and photographer. She hosts the Wander Woman Podcast and is Sleep Storyteller-in-Residence at Calm.com.

Together they talk to Ann Morgan about the transformative power of travel.

This is a live recording from Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show at Olympia, London on 31 January 2025.

Ray Mears: British Woodland// 2025 Stanfords Travel Writers Festival

During his decades long career as a bushcraft and survival expert, one thing always shines through about Ray Mears – his love of the nature and landscape within which he finds himself. His latest book, British Woodland, takes us to the heart of something we can all enjoy, and he talks to Phoebe Smith about this integral part of the fabric of Britain.

Children’s Book of the Month: Africana Activity Book

Our Children’s Book of the Month for February 2025 is the Africana Activity Book by Claire Saunders, illustrated by Mayowa Alabi.

Discover the wonders of Africa with this informative activity book, featuring over 25 games, quizzes, creative prompts and puzzles that explore and celebrate the diversity of Africa.

Learn to say ‘hello’ in five African languages, take a tour of ancient civilisations and meet iconic African changemakers.

Map of the Month: Collins Rail Map of Europe

Our Map of the Month is the Collins Rail Map of Europe.

We’ve notice a huge rise is sales of rail maps and guides in the past year. In fact, there are two books about train train travel in the shortlist for our Travel Book of the Year in the upcoming Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards Presented by Viking.

If you are planning your next train adventure, this rail map of Europe is the perfect travel companion.

Hilary Bradt in Conversation with Simon Calder// 2025 Stanfords Travel Writers Festival

Taking the Risk is Hilary Bradt’s engaging, insightful, amusing and sometimes alarming memoir about serendipitous adventures in travel and publishing. A travel industry trail-blazer who co-founded Bradt Guides, Hilary Bradt talks to travel journalist Simon Calder about 50 years of escapades, surprises, mishaps and success.

This is a live recording from Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show at Olympia, London on 30 January 2025.

Book of the Month: Walking Europe’s Last Wilderness

Our Book of the Month for February is Walking Europe’s Last Wilderness: A Journey through the Carpathian Mountains by Nick Thorpe.

An evocative voyage through the Carpathian mountain range and its threatened landscape, peoples, and history.

The Carpathian Mountains of Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Ukraine are Europe’s last true wilderness. A landscape of great spruce and beech forests, grass meadows, and ancient villages, its people contend daily with the elements—as well as Europe’s last large carnivores. But this fragile ecosystem is now under threat, from climate change and illegal logging.

Shortlisted Entries Announced for the 2025 New Travel Writer of the Year

Over the next few weeks the judging will commence for the 2025 Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards Presented by Viking. Yesterday the shortlisted entries for the Bradt New Travel Writer of the Year were announced.

Unpublished writers were invited to submit a piece on the theme; ‘A Hasty Exit.’

Here are the finalists, highly commended and commended pieces: