We have published more than 1,900 maps in our series of Old Ordnance Survey Map reprints, including a large group in County Durham, where we are based. The maps are highly detailed. They are taken from the OS 1:2,500 (or 25 inch) maps and reduced to about 15 inches to the mile. Each covers an area of a mile and a half by a mile. They show streets with individual houses, tram tracks, railway tracks and even signals, factories, wharves and such details as fountains and water troughs. They will provide hours of fascination for historians and genealogists. The maps are neatly folded and each includes a specially written introduction to the area. Maps can be purchased on our On-line Mapshop where further information about titles is given. Or visit The Index Page for a full list to the series and details of Prices.
Tow Law stands over 1,000 feet up, and developed in the mid 19th century with the growth of the Weardale Iron Co; the population peaked at 5,005 in 1881 but had fallen to 4,371 by 1901; the iron works closed in the 1880s, local ore being too expensive to extract. However, this is still a busy map with several collieries and railways. Features include the town itself, with cattle market, Dan's Castle, Tow Law Iron Works (a smaller works run by Joseph Bond), station, St Philip & St James church, South Cornsay, Black Prince Colliery. Further east the map includes West Thornley Colliery, Hedleyhope Colliery and the NER's Hedleyhope Incline. All the collieries have extensive coke ovens. On the reverse we include a small extract of adjacent sheet 25.10 extending coverage to Inkerman. A directory is also included.
You might find this index map useful.
Follow this link for a complete list of our SW Durham area maps.
You can order maps direct from our On-line Mapshop. For other information and prices, and other areas, go to The Index Page.
Maps in the Godfrey Edition are taken from the 25 inch to the mile map and reduced to about 15 inches to the mile. For a full list of maps for the North East, return to the North East page.
The Godfrey Edition / godfreyedition@btinternet.com / 20 August 2006