OS DataHub Maps

Description

This plugin allows maps to be inserted into a page or post using the new Ordnance Survey Data Hub platform which launched in 2020. It displays UK Ordnance Survey maps with their legendary level of topographical detail, making them ideal for walking, cycling, riding, and just about anything outdoors-related. You can add routes from GPX files, elevation profiles, and markers for points of interest.

The plugin takes over where the previous plugin, OS OpenSpace Maps, left off. Using the new OS Data Hub and its suite of APIs, you now have access to the full 1:25,000 Explorer mapping as well as the 1:50,000 Landranger series. And the free allowances are a lot more generous, offering typically 2,000,000 map views per month.

This plugin uses Leaflet.js to display the maps, giving a clean interface and a responsive feel with easy zoom control, full screen view and even printing. Insert the [osmap] shortcode anywhere in your post, page or custom post type content to display a map.

The map is set up using shortcode attributes, and there are now more of these than can be described in this Readme file. For full details, please check the plugin homepage.

Additional Shortcodes

Display one of the marker icons inline with your text using [osmap_marker color=red]. This may be used to add annotation to your maps.

Use [osmap_link marker=1 zoom=8] in conjunction with marker_link=link attribute to embedded a link within text on the page. When clicked, the map will be scrolled into view, zoomed onto the marker position and the marker opened.

Examples

• [osmap] displays a map at the default height and zoom level, centred on OS headquarters in Southampton. This is the simplest way to test that the plugin is working.

• [osmap height="300" width="300" color="blue" gpx="https://www.example.co.uk/myfile.gpx"] displays a 300px by 300px window containing a blue track from the file specified.

• [osmap markers="NY2000008000;Wasdale"]shows a default size and zoom window with a marker placed and the popup text “Wasdale”

Migration from OS OpenSpace Maps

Ordnance Survey has now shut down the OpenSpace Maps service. This plugin aims to give a seamless upgrade to use the new Data Hub Maps service instead. It uses the same shortcode and all the same attributes are supported.

The Data Hub service is a significant upgrade from OpenSpace, allowing use of the excellent 1:25,000 Explorer mapping. It also has a much more generous free data allowance, typically 2 million map views per month.

The plugin itself is also a major upgrade, with many more features than the original OpenSpace plugin.

Screenshots

Installation

1. Go to the Plugins page in the admin area, search for datahub navigate to the plugin page and click install.
2. Or download and extract os-datahub-maps.zip into the /wp-content/plugins/ directory. This will create a subfolder called os-datahub-maps containing the plugin files.
3. Activate OS Maps through the ‘Plugins’ menu in WordPress
4. Before the plugin will work you need to add your API key to the settings page on the dashboard.
5. If you are running WordPress Multisite you (or your network administrator) will have to add KML and GPX files to the allowed file types under ‘Network Settings’ if you wish to upload these files.

FAQ

Is this compatible with OS OpenSpace Maps?

As far as possible, yes. The new Data Hub mapping service is very different from the OpenSpace service, but we have tried to maintain compatibility as far as possible. All being well you should be able to install the new plugin, set the API key and a few defaults. When you disable the OpenSpace plugin, this one should just populate the existing shortcodes in the same way.

Where can I get support?

You can find examples and much more information on the plugin homepage

Ask questions in the support forum on the WordPress plugin page

Reviews

Excellent – working nicely on WordPress.com

davidartfulscot October 28, 2023

Very happy with this and have it working well on wordpress.com. It’s well thought through, excellent documentation and actively maintained. In case anyone is doing similar, wordpress.com doesn’t allow you to upload gpx files and there appears to be no way around this. I created a simple free hosting account on Cloudflare and upload the gpx and marker files there – and this works fine.

Really useful plugin

davechallenged February 1, 2023 1 reply

Really useful to setup maps for the locations of trips on our walking site – rhsoc.uk thank you! Only missing feature for me is to link the map pop-ups to a page for our trips, but realise the API may restrict that.

Great plugin to enhance your site

Al S June 26, 2022

I like this plugin and I have used it in a custom field (activity_map) where I can insert the shortcode to display the map… Which means this can then be displayed in a custom post type template along with all other CPT info. The “print map” option is a great addition as it allows colour printing for those who might not have a GPS. Using it as part of CPT’s also allows searches of varies activity types where the map is display on each post. I contacted the dev regarding a question and also had a quick response. 5 stars all the way. I’d like to see a donate option…

Nice Ordnance Survey map plugin

Bufoot April 11, 2022

For UK applications this nice plugin works well with the free Ordnance Survey service and its configuration options give good flexibility. I have used it to migrate from the legacy Ordnance Survey maps to the new OS Data Hub service.

Superb maps, excellent plugin, outstanding support

darcyvallance April 8, 2022

A great plugin: it’s simple to use and customise, reliable and regularly updated. Thank you Simon also for your expert and timely support.

Works perfectly

September 22, 2021

A really nice plugin and the developer is very responsive to questions. Plenty of flexibility and works perfectly to display maps of my hiking adventures. Recommended!

Contributors & Developers

Changelog

1.8.0

New: Add start_locate option to allow a map to open at the current location
Change: Update to Leaflet 1.9.4
Change: Use Control.FullScreen plugin in place of Leaflet.Fullscreen which is no longer maintained.

For previous versions please refer to Changelog.txt