An Ogilby Map of The Cleveland Way (2026)

Original media: Inks, acrylics, gouache, watercolour, pencils, gold leaf.

The Cleveland Way is one of the shorter national trails, beginning in Helmsley in North Yorkshire. The path takes you to the coast at Saltburn by the Sea, and then all along the coastal path to Filey Brigg. In May 2025 I ran the whole path over the course of a week. I was on my own for most of it, then joined by my best running friends at Whitby for the last couple of days. I carried a little running pack with everything I needed for the week on my back (I wasn’t camping!) and the smallest drawing kit in a pouch on my front. I stopped to draw whenever inspiration struck.

This map of the Cleveland Way is based on an Ogilby Map – a 17th century strip map . The map is read left to right, a strip at a time, reading from the bottom to the top of each strip. Distance is marked every 5 miles and landmarks are illustrated or named. The shape of the trail is simplified and a compass marks each stretch in an overall direction. You can see that some strips have two compasses and a clear line dividing the strip where there has been a major change in direction. Maps were made for a specific route, giving only the pertinent information.

My Dad introduced me to Ogilby Maps after I created my topographic Calderdale map. I thought the simplified idea and the layout were beautiful. They're also perfect for people who love maps but aren't very good at reading them (like me!). An OS map is an incredible thing, but the information it contains is overwhelming. Interesting but not always useful.

I wanted to give my map a modern(ish) look and drew on the design work of artists like Bawden, Ravillious, Enid Marx and Barnett Freedman. This was after a trip to a York book fair where I was inspired by book designs from the 30s, 40s and 50s. I added the birds to show the two halves of the trail. The swifts for the land and the gulls for the sea.

Available as a signed limited edition print, hand-finished with gold leaf and gold thread. All prints are mounted and can be posted, unless purchased framed.