Joe Stares at Maps

@joestaresatmaps.co.uk

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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. Homebrewer. Cymro. www.joestaresatmaps.co.uk

A weathered road sign on post showing a faded cross symbol and the words “CROSS ROADS.” Above it, a rusted triangular warning sign is partially visible against a cloudy blue sky, with hedges and trees in the background.
A circular road sign on a black pole, of which the circle sign is somewhat blackened or rusted. Underneath the sign there is text which reads “Prohibited All Vehicles” in what appears to be in the old road signs font (aka ‘pre-Worboys’). The sign appears in front of woodland.
A picture of a metal stile on a nice sunny day in the Vale of Glamorgan. The stile footing platforms are placed in an ‘X’ arrangement, which I found quite useful.
A picture of an electricity pylon.
A copy of the weekend Financial Times (14/15 Feb 2026). It has a map feature in its appended Magazine!
A still showing amap from the video game, Silent Hill 2 (the updated version).
Screengrab of the preorder of the audiobook for Everything Will Swallow You by Tom Cox.
A bottle of Malbec red wine from Argentina - Marcelo Bocardo. It has a delightful terrain map on the label which is presumably where the vineyard is situated.
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).
A picture of a Christmas-themed signpost in front of a plant bush. The sign post points which can be seen from right-to-left are ‘Christmas Tree Avenue’ and ‘Pegwyn y Gogledd’ (The North Pole in Welsh). On one of the sign points is a rather small and dashing looking robin. Taken in National Trust Dyffryn Gardens, Vale of Glamorgan.
A picture showing a colourful card appearing out of the my checked shirt breast pocket, with the words “Pooch Passport“ (also “Pasbort Pero”, in Welsh). This refers to the National Trust’s Pooch Passport campaign, where furry friends can earn stamps when visiting NT sites.
A 1976 official guide of the „Borough of Dinefwr“; an old publication which includes tourist information for the towns of Ammanford, Llandeilo and Llandovery.
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.
A large bag full of maps and road atlases from a recent charity shop visit!
An inter dimensional portal. Or to be more specific, a clear pathway surrounded by shaded green woodland which leads to small, narrow gap resembling a doorway. The gap shows more greenery which is bathed in light.
A picture of a box containing a ‘ring toss game’ from the magical middle aisle of an Aldi store.
Cover of an AA road map from 1985. Its is titled “Throughroutes to and from Birmingham”.
A map of Llandaff displayed using multiple tiles. It highlights key historical sites in the locality, including the iconic cathedral.
A rather weathered-and-worn small milestone in the Canton area Cardiff.
A milestone which can be found at the Museum of Welsh Life, Saint Fagans. It’s taken from Tythegston Parish, outlining distance to places nearby (Bridgend 4, Pyle 2) and further afield (London 181). Distance is presumably in miles but not made clear).