The Cotswolds - My first map gets a second edition

In 2019 I launched The Cartographic Arts with a map of the Cotswolds, inspired to create something that I wanted to buy as there was nothing on the market up to scratch. After 5 years I have sold 250 copies of both the original map and the autumnal version, released a year later.

A second edition of the maps was due and with many changes I wanted to make I was desperate to get the improvements made and published. While most changes are cosmetic I was also curious to see how fundamentals like the road network would have changed. We all see house building going on everywhere and while buildings are not on these maps the road network is and housing developments have residential streets. The amount of change and growth in this regard surprised me and you can read a separate blog article showcasing that. My point being here though, the second editions have an updated road network.

Before diving into the details it's important to first showcase a new version of the map, a 'single colour' version of the Cotswolds as a whole without separate areas for the different counties that the Cotswolds covers. While the original design was innovative in showing these different county sections I have neglected to produce a single colour version, until now. I am curious to see its popularity but I have never been asked for such a map.

So what has changed. As i say it is largely cosmetic and small changes, but there are some more fundamental changes which together with all the little things, add up and have created, in my opinion, a more refined, detailed and elegant map.

The main fundamental change to highlight are two small areas of expansion to the map. The first is an area around the River Severn south of Tewkesbury. The River now forms the border of the map in this area mirroring the border to the south created by the River Thames. There is a smoother flow rather than an angled edge.

The second area added is a slight extension to the east into Oxfordshire

2019 2025

You will also see from the examples above I have added a slight off white background and a grid and reference system with the sites of significant historical and cultural interest so they can more easily located on the map.

2019 2025

I have consolidated the sites on interest in Bath to make the labelling on the map less congested and added a couple of sites, Highgrove and Chavenage House.

I have enhanced the design of the border, compass, scale and title along with the name change to NATIONAL LANDSCAPE from AREA of OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY

I have also added 100's of smaller streams and brooks, world heritage sites at Bath and Blenheim, hilltop triangle symbols, military areas and labels, adjusted the colour of the railways and station labels from black to brown and reduced the thickness and shade off the motorways. And I also added motorway junction labels, just because the one you always use is so familiar and welcome when you're making your way home.