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How to Use the LDPs Database


These LDPs pages provide detailed information for a route and its publications using the Search for Path, Search for Publication, Search for Supplier and Search for Accommodation links. The Search for Supplier covers providers of publications and support services. For instructions on how to use these LDPs pages, find information and save and print it please see the sections below. If you are familiar with using searchable websites you can skip these instructions.

The site is structured on the basis that each LDP has one or more publications available each from its own supplier. Publications include paper publications, maps, websites and downloads. For simplicity we list only one supplier for each publication (see FAQs - Obtaining Publications and Maps). As websites can be accessed directly online, we do not always list details of the custodians of the sites (i.e. their suppliers). Suppliers include publishers of books and leaflets and providers of services such as baggage support on LDPs.

In addition to the above the database also holds information about specific accommodations. This data is used show which accommodations are nearby to a given LDP, but can also be searched independently using this option.

Finding Detailed Information on Paths, Publications and Maps

The LDPs Information is in an online database that you can search using the Search for Path, Search for Publication, Search for Supplier and Search for Accommodation links. If you know how to use searchable websites, skip these instructions. Remember to clear your search options between searches as these are remembered.

Find Paths. Specify what you want to find in the search option fields (boxes). Here are some examples to find out about:

  • Pennine Way – in the ‘Path Name’ field or box type ‘Pennine’ and click ‘Search’ to return a list of routes. From these click on Pennine Way to return the route data. Maps, and publication titles (and generally any highlighted text) are all clickable to provide details in a new window as are the buttons for ‘View Map’. You can buy the route OS maps and some publications online by using the ‘Buy Online’ links and benefit the LDWA as well. Use the back button on your PC's browser to return to the last screen.
  • Routes ‘passing through’, say Devon. In the ‘Path Area’ area option box, use the drop down menu (down arrow) and select 'Passes Through' and ‘ Devon’ and ‘Search’ to return the list of routes and click any one for its details. ‘Passes through’ includes ‘Starts In’ and ‘Finishes In’.
  • Routes for which full data is ‘Available Online’. Use the default option, ‘Available Online’ in ‘Status’ and then click ‘Search’. This drop-down menu enables other choices, e.g. to see all route names select the blank option. 'AO' means we have updated details online on the site, not that the route publications are all available on a website.

Find Publications.  This works in a similar way to Find Paths and allows searching with many options, for example to:

  • List the LDPs publications by, say, Cicerone Press (a supplier), type ‘Cicerone’ in the name field and click ‘Search’ to return the list. The items listed in highlighted text, say Cumbria Coastal Way, are each clickable for more details where these are linked to an updated route. If the item has a review available online here, e.g., taken from the LDWA Strider Footprint column, this will be shown or alternatively more details provided by the publisher may be included.

Find Suppliers.  As with Find Paths and Find Publications this option allows searching by Supplier (publisher) or provider of support services.

Find Accommodation.  This option allows you to search the database of location based information we hold, such as accommodation details. This data is used show which locations are nearby to a given LDP, but can also be searched independently using this option.

If any of your "finds" return more than one row then you can step through the returned rows using the Next and Previous links at the top of the right-hand menu block.

Using the Interactive Maps

Some of the LDP pages use interactive maps built upon an Open Source library called OpenLayers. A number of controls are available to help navigate around these maps:

Pan Control The Pan control can be used to move the map up, down, left or right. Alternatively you can move the map around by left clicking your mouse on it and holding it as you drag it around.
Zoom Control The Zoom control can be used for zooming the map in or out. Zooming the map in will show larger scale maps and zooming it out will show smaller scale maps. The scale of maps, number of available zoom levels and the starting display level may differ depending on what the map is being used for.
Finish Marker Lines like these on a map are used to show the route of a Long Distance Path. Hovering the text over a path line will bring up a box showing the name of the path and its distance. Clicking on the path line will take you to the corresponding path page.
Accommodation Marker This marker is used to show a Group Accommodation location. Clicking on one of these markers will bring up a box showing the name of the accommodation and its type. Clicking on the accommodation name will take you to the corresponding accommodation page.

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