Joe Stares at Maps
@joestaresatmaps.co.uk
Expect whimsical and sometimes bizarre takes on maps, travel, transport, wayfinding and local history. Obsessed with old town guides and historical road atlases. Personal account. Greyt greyhound owner. Cymro.
www.joestaresatmaps.co.uk
www.joestaresatmaps.co.uk
Reposted by Joe Stares at Maps
FINAL book giveaway of the year.
To enter: reply below & repost this extract.
Up for grabs:
THREE signed Villager paperbacks with free art (bookmarks & postcards) by my parents.
Enter if you enjoy
Folklore
Nature
Rivers
Hills
Social history
Lost art
Ghost
Tangled psychedelic narratives
Silliness
To enter: reply below & repost this extract.
Up for grabs:
THREE signed Villager paperbacks with free art (bookmarks & postcards) by my parents.
Enter if you enjoy
Folklore
Nature
Rivers
Hills
Social history
Lost art
Ghost
Tangled psychedelic narratives
Silliness
December 8, 2025 at 6:15 PM
FINAL book giveaway of the year.
To enter: reply below & repost this extract.
Up for grabs:
THREE signed Villager paperbacks with free art (bookmarks & postcards) by my parents.
Enter if you enjoy
Folklore
Nature
Rivers
Hills
Social history
Lost art
Ghost
Tangled psychedelic narratives
Silliness
To enter: reply below & repost this extract.
Up for grabs:
THREE signed Villager paperbacks with free art (bookmarks & postcards) by my parents.
Enter if you enjoy
Folklore
Nature
Rivers
Hills
Social history
Lost art
Ghost
Tangled psychedelic narratives
Silliness
Great to see some nice illustrations in the @theobserveruk.bsky.social of places in and around Cardiff. Disappointingly though, for the life of me I cannot work out that map and Ninian Park hasn’t been around since 2009.
![This is an extract of an article from The Observer, Sun 7 Nov. It references the Prime Minister’s visit to Cardiff and the article has illustrations of the three destinations which formed part of the visit; Garth Hill, Ely & Caerau Children’s Centre and [incorrectly named] Ninian Park (actual name Cardiff City Stadium).](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cn7xjgn7q5juolvqzhvyyomd/bafkreifvo566ivj6wc6ia4civqxhwjclo33zalxylid44nulsj6lgqw6c4@jpeg)
December 7, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Great to see some nice illustrations in the @theobserveruk.bsky.social of places in and around Cardiff. Disappointingly though, for the life of me I cannot work out that map and Ninian Park hasn’t been around since 2009.
‘Tis the season! If you need some help getting around Dyffryn Gardens, this little guy may be able to help you find your way #fingerpostfriday #nationaltrust
December 5, 2025 at 12:54 PM
‘Tis the season! If you need some help getting around Dyffryn Gardens, this little guy may be able to help you find your way #fingerpostfriday #nationaltrust
Reposted by Joe Stares at Maps
Dear Bluesky. I'm giving away two signed paperbacks of my novel Villager.
All you have to do to enter is share this extract from it & pop a reply below.
You also get a free map!
You might like the book if you like:
Ghosts
Social history
Folklore
Lost music
Rivers
Opinionated hills
Earth magic
All you have to do to enter is share this extract from it & pop a reply below.
You also get a free map!
You might like the book if you like:
Ghosts
Social history
Folklore
Lost music
Rivers
Opinionated hills
Earth magic
December 3, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Dear Bluesky. I'm giving away two signed paperbacks of my novel Villager.
All you have to do to enter is share this extract from it & pop a reply below.
You also get a free map!
You might like the book if you like:
Ghosts
Social history
Folklore
Lost music
Rivers
Opinionated hills
Earth magic
All you have to do to enter is share this extract from it & pop a reply below.
You also get a free map!
You might like the book if you like:
Ghosts
Social history
Folklore
Lost music
Rivers
Opinionated hills
Earth magic
Reposted by Joe Stares at Maps
Author wrote best book he's ever written.
Publisher disintegrated/fucked off with author's earnings.
Book was finally published by new publisher.
Author has bought two hardbacks, for full price, to give away, signed.
Please repost/reply if you'd like a chance to win one..
bsky.app/profile/zygo...
Publisher disintegrated/fucked off with author's earnings.
Book was finally published by new publisher.
Author has bought two hardbacks, for full price, to give away, signed.
Please repost/reply if you'd like a chance to win one..
bsky.app/profile/zygo...
November 13, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Author wrote best book he's ever written.
Publisher disintegrated/fucked off with author's earnings.
Book was finally published by new publisher.
Author has bought two hardbacks, for full price, to give away, signed.
Please repost/reply if you'd like a chance to win one..
bsky.app/profile/zygo...
Publisher disintegrated/fucked off with author's earnings.
Book was finally published by new publisher.
Author has bought two hardbacks, for full price, to give away, signed.
Please repost/reply if you'd like a chance to win one..
bsky.app/profile/zygo...
Reposted by Joe Stares at Maps
I love maps so I'm giving away TWO signed paperbacks of my psychedelic/folkloric novel Villager each with these fantastic maps my dad illustrated of the fictional village in the book.Just repost this/reply below for a chance to win.
Here's an extract from the book: www.tom-cox.com/the-village-...
Here's an extract from the book: www.tom-cox.com/the-village-...
October 24, 2025 at 3:56 PM
I love maps so I'm giving away TWO signed paperbacks of my psychedelic/folkloric novel Villager each with these fantastic maps my dad illustrated of the fictional village in the book.Just repost this/reply below for a chance to win.
Here's an extract from the book: www.tom-cox.com/the-village-...
Here's an extract from the book: www.tom-cox.com/the-village-...
Also - it’s that time of year again. 5/12 stamps down already; our hounds are well on their way to getting their prizes!
#NTPoochPassport #NationalTrust
#NTPoochPassport #NationalTrust
October 14, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Also - it’s that time of year again. 5/12 stamps down already; our hounds are well on their way to getting their prizes!
#NTPoochPassport #NationalTrust
#NTPoochPassport #NationalTrust
Returned from the Cotswolds, suitably refreshed. The map/road atlas haul from second hand shops wasn’t too promising, but but some good ideas for the blog moving forward.
October 14, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Returned from the Cotswolds, suitably refreshed. The map/road atlas haul from second hand shops wasn’t too promising, but but some good ideas for the blog moving forward.
I haven’t even started reading this report and already I’ve gone down a Buchanan rabbit hole. I really didn’t appreciate his influence on town transport planning in the 60s, leading up to present day.
This gem just turned full diamond 💎
This gem just turned full diamond 💎
YES! This little gem was gifted to me recently and will be a delight, I’m sure.
![A slightly-weathered looking ring bound report entitled “Probe Study Report: Cardiff Development and Transportation Study” authored by Colin Buchanan and Partners, dated April [19]66.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cn7xjgn7q5juolvqzhvyyomd/bafkreia7gsqnkzvvldj67zue7pgh46nz7eh24knamxofgqhda37nsrnxaq@jpeg)
September 29, 2025 at 5:57 PM
I haven’t even started reading this report and already I’ve gone down a Buchanan rabbit hole. I really didn’t appreciate his influence on town transport planning in the 60s, leading up to present day.
This gem just turned full diamond 💎
This gem just turned full diamond 💎
YES! This little gem was gifted to me recently and will be a delight, I’m sure.
September 28, 2025 at 9:18 PM
YES! This little gem was gifted to me recently and will be a delight, I’m sure.
Reposted by Joe Stares at Maps
Looking for something to read right now on your morning commute?
Here is the first word of our new Map Men book: ‘This Way Up - When Maps Go Wrong’……
In
Here is the first word of our new Map Men book: ‘This Way Up - When Maps Go Wrong’……
In
August 27, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Looking for something to read right now on your morning commute?
Here is the first word of our new Map Men book: ‘This Way Up - When Maps Go Wrong’……
In
Here is the first word of our new Map Men book: ‘This Way Up - When Maps Go Wrong’……
In
Clearly ITVX acted by means of a secret rite, that can be performed once a century, when the moon is in the Eighth House of Aquarius...
*****EVERY EPISODE OF COUNT DUCKULA IS AVAILABLE FOR FREE ON ITVX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*****
August 6, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Clearly ITVX acted by means of a secret rite, that can be performed once a century, when the moon is in the Eighth House of Aquarius...
I think I may need to stop going to charity shops now.
August 6, 2025 at 9:04 AM
I think I may need to stop going to charity shops now.
Thanks to @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social my eyes are now opened to the many inter dimensional portals which appear whilst dog walking.
August 5, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Thanks to @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social my eyes are now opened to the many inter dimensional portals which appear whilst dog walking.
My brain can only allow me to read this in Homer Simpson’s voice.
August 2, 2025 at 1:43 PM
My brain can only allow me to read this in Homer Simpson’s voice.
Great video which explores a road that shouldn’t really exist. Those concrete stilts were certainly a sight - I’ll never look at that innocent looking sign the same way again…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMGC...
Having managed to retrieve anything from this trip thanks to storage media failure you better go and appreciate my efforts 😆
Having managed to retrieve anything from this trip thanks to storage media failure you better go and appreciate my efforts 😆
Port Talbot - the motorway on TOP of the town!
YouTube video by Bryn Buck
www.youtube.com
July 31, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Great video which explores a road that shouldn’t really exist. Those concrete stilts were certainly a sight - I’ll never look at that innocent looking sign the same way again…
It did take some getting used to, but I think I could warm to this eventually. It definitely felt like RATW’s Machiavellian cousin at times, seemingly necessary now for any new show due to the success of The Traitors. But I take my hat off to the ‘play along at home feature’. #DestinationX
Destination X review – the BBC’s big new reality competition will make you feel like you’re hallucinating
Destination X review – the BBC’s big new reality competition will make you feel like you’re hallucinating
It’s like The Traitors meets Race Across the World, with contestants sent on a deliberately disorientating 175-mile helicopter ride – and then put onto a bus with no windows. And that’s before you consider the challenges …
www.theguardian.com
July 31, 2025 at 3:22 PM
It did take some getting used to, but I think I could warm to this eventually. It definitely felt like RATW’s Machiavellian cousin at times, seemingly necessary now for any new show due to the success of The Traitors. But I take my hat off to the ‘play along at home feature’. #DestinationX
As part of rummaging for old maps in charity shops, the little gem appeared. I’m fascinated by old road maps that have a specific purpose like this one - “Throughroutes to and from Birmingham”.
July 31, 2025 at 2:49 PM
As part of rummaging for old maps in charity shops, the little gem appeared. I’m fascinated by old road maps that have a specific purpose like this one - “Throughroutes to and from Birmingham”.
Reposted by Joe Stares at Maps
Read this — “I’m a car guy. But I’m also an advocate for public transportation, bike lanes and safer streets. Most readers might do a double take at that statement…”
“Car enthusiasm is not and must not be confused for car dependency.“
Via @usa.streetsblog.org
“Car enthusiasm is not and must not be confused for car dependency.“
Via @usa.streetsblog.org
Guest Column: Car Enthusiasts Can Be Allies In Transportation Decarbonization - Streetsblog Massachusetts
I’m a car guy. But I’m also an advocate for public transportation, bike lanes and safer streets. Most readers might do a double take at that statement, or shake their heads at the idea that car enthu...
mass.streetsblog.org
July 14, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Read this — “I’m a car guy. But I’m also an advocate for public transportation, bike lanes and safer streets. Most readers might do a double take at that statement…”
“Car enthusiasm is not and must not be confused for car dependency.“
Via @usa.streetsblog.org
“Car enthusiasm is not and must not be confused for car dependency.“
Via @usa.streetsblog.org
Reposted by Joe Stares at Maps
Thanks for the reminder @janemunday.bsky.social. Every summer, I repost this article DROWNING DOES NOT LOOK LIKE DROWNING. To date, I know of FOUR kids who were saved after someone who'd clicked on the link learnt how to spot actual drowning. Take time to read and pass on.
slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com/technology/2...
Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning
Drowning is not the violent, splashing call for help that most people expect.
slate.com
June 19, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Thanks for the reminder @janemunday.bsky.social. Every summer, I repost this article DROWNING DOES NOT LOOK LIKE DROWNING. To date, I know of FOUR kids who were saved after someone who'd clicked on the link learnt how to spot actual drowning. Take time to read and pass on.
slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com/technology/2...
Signs in the wild, missing an L or two!
May 19, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Signs in the wild, missing an L or two!
Right - time to up my Bluesky game. The most interesting thing I did today was to begin recording my maps on a spreadsheet. Progress so far… 0001.
May 11, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Right - time to up my Bluesky game. The most interesting thing I did today was to begin recording my maps on a spreadsheet. Progress so far… 0001.
Happy new year! Blwyddyn newydd dda 🍾
January 1, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Happy new year! Blwyddyn newydd dda 🍾
Bluesky now has over 10 million users, and I was #2,305,527!
September 17, 2024 at 10:48 AM
Bluesky now has over 10 million users, and I was #2,305,527!