3 Norths meet for the first time in mapping history in Dorset village Langton Matravers
This will make it easier for walkers, sailors and pilots who use compasses to plan their routes
Last updated 3rd Nov 2022
Dorset village Langton Matravers will be on the minds of mapping fans this week as it becomes the first place in history to have the 3 Norths come together in one place.
What are the three Norths?
Grid North being the blue line on an Ordinance Survey map that points towards the North Pole.
True North is a map's curved line of longitude that arrives at the North Pole. This is different to grid north as it reflects the curve of the earth.
Finally, Magnetic North is the always-travelling line to the pole. It is this north that is meeting the others at Langton Matravers this week to mark their first ever meeting.
What does this mean for Langton Matravers residents?
This historic joining of Grid North, True North and Magnetic North will make it easier for people sailing, walking or even flying who use a compass to work out where they're going.
This is because people that typically take into account the difference between magnetic north and both grid and true north when planning their routes, will no longer have to this week as they will all be the same.
Where will the three Norths go next?
After staying at Langton Matravers for a few weeks, the three Norths will stick together and head to Poole by Christmas.
It will then slowly move up the country for the next three and a half years until it reaches its final UK stop in Feshiebridge (Scotland) in 2026.
What are the experts saying?
Mark Greeves from Ordinance Survey told us here at {stationName}: "It's not odd or dangerous or anything like that its just like a solar exclipse or a planetary alignment.
"It's just a little quirk of circumstance and time.
"As a cartographic fan of maps nerd it makes me go 'Ooooooooo!' - it's just a nice little thing to celebrate!"