Celebrate the ‘Magic of Maps’ at the Lion Salt Works Museum

With no gyms, swimming or group sports during lockdown, there has been an explosion of interest in walking – with sales of maps soaring to meet people’s demand to explore the great outdoors.

To tap into this exciting new trend and to show how easy and fun map reading can be, the award-winning Lion Salt Works Museum in Northwich is celebrating with a series of child-friendly ‘Magic of Maps’ activities on Tuesday, June 1 and Wednesday, June 2, as well as a full day of family activities on Saturday, June 5.

Suitable for children up to the age of 12, there is a £3 cost per child and activities.

Due to social distancing requirements, booking in advance is required – plus separate booking is necessary to visit the museum – by calling 01606 275066.

Children will be able to explore and have fun with a ‘Map in a Pack’ that will not only help them understand basic map reading symbols, but also give them the confidence to set up their own trail when they get home.

On June 5, in addition to the children’s activities, there will be a series of fun, informal table-top ‘speed-dating style’ mini talks, giving family bubbles the chance to explore more about the magic of maps from a range of experts.

Cheshire Records Office will host a display giving details and information about its free online map collection, featuring maps from 1836-51, aerial images and ordnance survey maps which can be found at cheshirearchives.org.uk.

Ordnance Survey map

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s archives department will be supporting this multi-faceted event with an online Cheshire Map Adventure Quiz.

Open to all ages – under 16s with permission from their parents – the quiz can be found online at yourwestcheshire.co.uk/pages/4574/1/Cheshire_Map_Adventure_competition.html and will be about Cheshire’s online tithe maps.

The winning prize is a £10 book token and the competition opens on May 24 and closes at midnight on June 6.

Maria Bryne, director of environment and communities said: "Learning to read a map makes exploring somewhere unknown an adventure, rather than something daunting and confusing.

"It is also a wonderful way of finding out about a place’s history and geography – whether by revealing the presence of a Roman road; an ancient hill fort or the remains of buildings that was once part of the salt-making industry.

"I am delighted that so many of the council’s departments are getting involved to bring map reading to life.

"Technology means that many of us never need to use a map but it is an amazing life skill and I hope that many of the young people who come along to this fun event go away inspired to find out more about map reading."