In the 1790s, the Ordnance Survey was set up to prepare maps of Kent, Sussex and Surrey with a view to repelling a possible invasion from revolutionary France. When the Napoleonic War ended in 1815, the work continued until gradually the whole country was mapped. Modern Ordnance Survey maps date from the second half of the 19^th century. Four main editions were published in the period up to World War II. These date roughly from 1870, 1896, 1910 and 1930. There are local variations depending on the precise date of mapping. The 6 inch scale offers good scope for studying the changes in a settlement over time.

 

Comparing this map with that for 1806, for 1866 and with a modern map should help pupils see how the area has changed over time. These maps could form the basis for an annotated classroom display where different pupils word process explanatory text to accompany features of the different maps. Pupils could print the 1806 and 1866 maps, trace the built up area in 1806 and plot this on the 1866 map. This should help to establish understanding of the extent of growth between the two dates.