Documentary

Map Man

Map Man is a BBC documentary series first broadcast on BBC Two in 2004 and repeated in 2013. Each episode recounts a particular tale in the history of British cartography, with a particular emphasis on the individuals whose dedication and ingenuity led to the production of some of history's most ground-breaking maps.

The show is presented by explorer and writer Nicholas Crane, each week travelling some distance by bicycle, water or on foot to recreate the often treacherous journeys taken in the creation of that episode's map.

PlaylistOverviewCreditsWatchReviewsSeasonsImagesVideosRecommendationsSimilar

Created By

Status

Returning Series

Original Name

Map Man

First Air Date

September 16, 2004

Last Air Date

September 5, 2005

Seasons

2

Episodes

16

Language

English

Production Companies

Networks

BBC Two

S02E01

Bartholomew's Cycling Map of England and Wales (1896-1903)

Journeys around Britain using historic maps as a guide. Nicholas Crane starts by investigating the work of Victorian cartographer John Bartholomew, who capitalised on the popularity of cycling in the 1880s with his series of maps charting the best routes, and retraces his guide to the Lake District.

View Episodes