The network of bench marks has had little maintenance\u00a0since the early 1980s when satellite technology took over. Many bench marks have been destroyed by to building work, demolition, and the widening of roads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ordnance Datum (Great Britain)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
To talk consistently about the height of something (or its altitude) we need to establish a point of reference. The most common point of reference you will come across is “above sea level”. But what does “above sea level” mean as the level of the sea goes up and down with the tides?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Between 1915 and 1921 accurate measurements of tide heights were made at the end of Newlyn pier in Cornwall. From these measurements an average, or mean, tide height was calculated, and this is “sea leve<\/em>l”. All heights are measured relative to the mean tide level at Newlyn. Before this, other data were in use. The 1840 levelling was carried out using a datum at St John’s Church in Liverpool (now demolished). From 1844 this was changed, and the datum was a tidal pole at Victoria Dock in Liverpool. There were other measuring points, but Liverpool and Newlyn are the main two as far as Great Britain is concerned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Newlyn and Liverpool only cover Great Britain. Alternative data were established for islands and regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, when we say “above sea level<\/em>” what we are saying is above the calculated mean tide level, or Ordnance Datum<\/strong>, at Newlyn<\/strong>. This is abbreviated to ODN<\/strong> – Ordnance Datum Newlyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When an Ordnance Survey map shows you that the summit of Mount Snowdon is 1,085 metres, that height is relative to ODN<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The height of all the bench marks was established in a process called levelling <\/em>and measures the heigh relative to an Ordnance Datum. There were three major levelling exercises carried out for England. The first took place\u00a0between 1840 and 1860. The\u00a0second levelling was carried out between 1912 and 1921 and the\u00a0third levelling was carried out between 1951 and 1956. The second and third levelling process were relative to ODN.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike other types of bench marks, the fundamental bench mark (FBM) is still in use and they are maintained by the Ordnance Survey. There are 180 FBMs and they provide the basic levelling framework across the country. They are located about 40 km apart along lines of levelling. There is a brass bolt at the top of a small concrete pillar which is used for everyday purposes. For more accurate measurement there are two further reference points: a gunmetal bolt and a flint in a burried chamber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After the FBM the next type of bench mark is the flush bracket<\/em> (FL BR). These are common on Ordnance Survey trig points, bridges, and church buildings. It is a metal plate about 9cm wide and 17.5cm tall. They are spaced about 1\u00bdkm apart along levelling lines and at important junctions of secondary levelling lines. Each bracket carries a unique reference number. The height is measured at the top of the arrow on the face via a small metal platform that attaches using the two slots at the top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These are not common. Like a flush bracket, they are mounted on vertical surfaces and consist of a small metal plate with the letters O S B M and a small arrow cast into it. A bracket projects from the base of the metal plate. There are about 260 of these known to have been used and as far as I can tell only 33 have survived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bolt bench marks are mushroom-headed brass bolts engraved with the letters ‘OSBM’ and an arrow. They are normally found in horizontal surfaces like steps, foundations or concrete blocks. The bolt has a 60mm diameter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The cut mark<\/em> is ubiquitous and can be found on houses, walls, stones, churches \u2026 even boulders. They consist of a cut bar with an arrow below. The height is measured at the horizontal bar and they are always on vertical surfaces. You will sometimes come across an inverted cut mark; this normally indicates that the cut mark has been cancelled and shows that it may have been relocated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The bolt bench mark looks like a cut mark and appear on vertical surfaces. The cut mark is accompanied by a small metal bolt. The bolt can be incorporated into the bar or to one side. PA Bolts tend to be placed before 1921 so are frequently measured relative to other datum points (i.e. Liverpool).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rivet and Pivot bench marks are like each other. Found on horizontal surfaces, although the arrow mark is sometimes on a vertical surface, they comprise a cut mark and either a brass bolt (or rivet) or, in the case of a pivot, a small hollow. A pivot is often used when the surface is soft and could be broken or damaged by the insertion of a rivet. The hollow, or depression, would be used to hold a small steel ballbearing, \u215d of an inch, and the measuring staff placed on the ballbearing. [My thanks to John Talbot for the information on pivots.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can see a list of the bench marks I have found here<\/a> on the bench-marks.org.uk site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also see the bench marks I have found shown on a map. I last updated this on 8 September 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLevelling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fundamental bench marks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.rayhutchings.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Hoghton-Fundamental-Bench-Mark.jpg\")
<\/a>Flush Brackets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Projecting Brackets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>OSBM Bolts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Cut marks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Public Abstract (1 GL) Bolt bench mark<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nRivet or Pivot <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBench Marks I have Found<\/h2>\n\n\n\n