Rare Old OS Map of Bath & Bristol, Somerset by Bartholomew, 1901: Mendip Hills, Cardiff, Cheddar Gorge

Immerse yourself in the rich historical tapestry of early 20th-century England with the exquisite "Sheet 28 - Bath & Bristol" map, crafted by the illustrious J.G. Bartholomew in 1901. This masterpiece, part of Bartholomew's renowned Half-Inch to the Mile series, offers a vivid portrayal of the Bath and Bristol regions, meticulously detailed and beautifully colored. Known for his innovative cartographic techniques, Bartholomew's work set a new standard in map design, making this piece a prized possession for any collector or history enthusiast.

The map's design is a testament to Bartholomew's genius, featuring a subtle and innovative gradation of color bands to depict landscape relief. This technique not only enhances the map's aesthetic appeal but also provides a clear and intuitive understanding of the region's topography. From the rolling hills of the Mendip Hills to the lush valleys and river systems, every detail is rendered with precision and care, making it a valuable tool for cyclists and tourists of the era.

Delve into the historical and cultural landmarks that dot this region, each meticulously marked on the map. The iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge, the ancient Roman Baths in Bath, and the majestic Wells Cathedral are just a few of the treasures awaiting discovery. Natural wonders such as Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole Caves add to the map's allure, offering a glimpse into the geological marvels that have shaped this landscape over millennia.

The map also highlights the bustling cities and quaint towns that define this region. From the historic city of Bath, with its Georgian architecture and Roman heritage, to the vibrant port city of Bristol, known for its maritime history and cultural significance, each settlement is depicted with remarkable accuracy. Smaller towns like Glastonbury, famed for its mythical associations and annual music festival, and Cheddar, home to the world-famous cheese, are also featured, providing a comprehensive overview of the area's human geography.

Beyond its aesthetic and historical value, this map serves as a window into the past, offering insights into the socio-political landscape of early 20th-century England. The detailed representation of borders, roads, and railways reflects the era's infrastructure and connectivity, while the inclusion of natural parks and reserves underscores the region's commitment to preserving its natural beauty. Owning this map is not just about possessing a piece of history; it's about experiencing the legacy of a master cartographer and the timeless allure of the Bath and Bristol regions.

Cities and towns on this map

Somerset:

• Bath
• Weston-super-Mare
• Wells
• Cheddar
• Radstock
• Shepton Mallet
• Frome
• Burnham-on-Sea
• Street
• Clevedon
• Portishead
• Nailsea
• Keynsham
• Midsomer Norton
• Paulton
• Chard
• Axbridge

Gloucestershire:

• Bristol
• Thornbury
• Yate
• Chipping Sodbury
• Dursley
• Wotton-under-Edge

Wales:

• Cardiff
• Newport
• Chepstow
• Pontypool

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Mendip Hills
• Clifton Suspension Bridge
• Cheddar Gorge
  
• Wells Cathedral
• Bath Abbey
• Roman Baths in Bath
• Ashton Court
• Berkeley Castle
• Clevedon Court
• Tyntesfield
• Prior Park
• Blaise Castle
• Dyrham Park
• Stanton Drew Stone Circles
• Leigh Woods
• Wookey Hole Caves
• The Severn Bridge
• Blagdon Lake
• Chew Valley Lake

Historical and design context

• Name of the Map: Sheet 28 - Bath & Bristol
• Creation Date: 1901
• Mapmaker/Publisher: J.G. Bartholomew
• Context about the Mapmaker: J.G. Bartholomew was a renowned Scottish cartographer known for his innovative and detailed maps. He played a significant role in advancing cartographic techniques during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Scale: Half-inch to the mile (1:126,720)
• Design and Style:
• Landscape Relief: Utilizes different layers of color to represent landscape relief, with a subtle gradation of color bands to show land at different heights.
• Color Scheme: Clear, attractive, and colorful, making it popular among cyclists and tourists.
• Based on: Reduced Ordnance Survey map from the same period.
• Countries and Regions Shown:
• Countries: United Kingdom (England)
• Regions: Bath and Bristol areas, including parts of Somerset and Gloucestershire.
• Historical Significance:
• Popularity: These maps became Bartholomew's flagship series due to their detailed and user-friendly design.
• Usage: Widely used by cyclists and tourists for navigation and exploration.
• Cartographic Innovation: Known for the innovative use of color gradation to depict landscape relief, setting a new standard in map design.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 70in (180cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 20in (50cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.