11 Christmas gifts for (Antarctic) map lovers
14/11/2025
From a map-themed neck warmer to a map of Shackleton’s South Georgia Crossing, check out UKAHT’s cartography Christmas gifts.
If you’re shopping for someone who can’t resist a good contour line or spends a little too long poring over polar charts, you’re in the right place. To celebrate the launch of our new Antarctic Map section – featuring a comprehensive collection of maps from the British Antarctic Survey’s Mapping and Geographic Information Centre (MAGIC) – we’ve handpicked 11 brilliant Christmas gifts for Antarctic map lovers. From classic cartography to explorer-inspired keepsakes, every item brings a touch of the frozen south to the festive season.
Where possible, we’ve linked to items we sell in our online shop. When you shop with UKAHT you support our conservation work in Antarctica – plus, our merchandise is now 99% free from plastic.
As ever, thank you for all the support and have a wonderful festive season!
1. Antarctica & the Arctic Map
Scale: 1:10,000,000 | Buy from UKAHT
The classic overview map to familiarise yourself with the polar regions. This double-sided folded topographical map shows the Arctic and Antarctica at the same scale and geographical extent. Published in 2023 by the British Antarctic Survey, the map also includes graphics demonstrating the extent of sea ice in the polar regions as well as the rock surface beneath the sea ice.
2. South Georgia & Shackleton Crossing Map
Scale: 1:200,000 / 1:40,000 | Buy from UKAHT
On 20th May 1916, Ernest Shackleton and two others struggled into a whaling station on South Georgia Island. They had just completed the first crossing of South Georgia Island. Shackleton and his team’s classic story of survival has come to symbolise the period of heroic Antarctic exploration. You can trace their route on side B of this map while side A showcases South Georgia’s remarkable topography as well as scientific stations and the now-disused whaling stations.
3. Port Lockroy Co-ordinates Crystal Paperweight
Crafted in Scotland by a family-owned business, our stunning crystal paperweight proudly showcases the mapping co-ordinates of Port Lockroy – perfect for keeping your charts in place while you pore over them. This elegant addition brings a distinctive style to any desk or shelf. Its design beautifully emulates the icebergs of Antarctica; a special memento of your journey.
4. Bed topography of Antarctica
Scale: 1:10,000,000 | Buy from UKAHT
For the map lover who dreams in ice and contour lines, this double-sided bed topography of Antarctica, showcases the most up-to-date, high-resolution view of Antarctica beneath the ice – built from decades of surveys and over 50 million new data points.
Side one uses a classic cartographic palette to reveal Antarctica’s hidden landscape: mountains, basins, and the vast stretches of bedrock that lie below sea level; while the reverse dives into the continent’s secret plumbing: ice catchments, subglacial lakes, and the drainage routes that funnel meltwater toward the ocean. A perfect pick for polar geeks, data devotees, and anyone who appreciates the beauty of worlds we can’t see.
5. Map & Tartan Neck Warmer
For something a little more refined, this neck warmer features a map of the Antarctic Peninsula on one side and our iconic Antarctic tartan design on the other. Handmade exclusively for UKAHT, each thread of our Antarctic Tartan reflects a different aspect of the continent.
White represents the Antarctic ice flows; grey the outcropping rocks, seals and birds; orange and yellow the lichen, bright penguin plumage and the summer midnight sun; black and white the penguins and whales; pale blue the crevasses and shallow icy waters; and deep midnight blue the Antarctic Ocean and dark Antarctic winter.
6. Antarctic Tea Towel
Our ever-popular tea towel (dishcloth) features a map of the Antarctic continent, the Antarctic Peninsula, and subantarctic islands, designed exclusively for UKAHT by the British Antarctic Survey.
Made from cloth, and with a spectrum of blues representing the ocean, white for the Antarctic continent and deep green for the tips of other landmasses, this tea towel is a perfect addition to any kitchen. Ideal for adding a touch of Antarctic exploration to your home, this tea towel is both practical and stylish.
7. Port Lockroy Pewter Hip Flask
For the explorer who loves a good map: this hand-finished pewter flask is engraved with the exact coordinates of Port Lockroy, one of Antarctica’s most storied harbours. Made by one of the UK’s last traditional pewter makers, this 170ml lead-free flask is a rugged little heirloom – perfect for adding a dash of adventure to winter wanderings.
8. Expedition Compass
For map lovers who prefer their adventures off-screen, this robust expedition compass from our kit partners at Alpkit keeps navigation simple and precise. With clear, easy-to-read markings and reliable accuracy, it’s the perfect pocket companion for anyone plotting a course across Antarctic charts, or just their next winter walk.
North has never been truer (Alpkit)
9. Peninsula Map
Scale: 1:4,000,000 / 1:1,000,000 | Buy from UKAHT
If you want to get to know exactly where all six of our bases are on the Antarctic Peninsula, then this is the map for you. The folded double-sided map shows Graham Land and the South Shetland Islands on one side with the Scotia Sea on the reverse and shows the location of scores of scientific stations and Historic Sites and Monuments. For those embarking on a voyage of the Antarctic Peninsula, this map makes the ideal companion as it covers the journey from Ushuaia through the Drake Passage and as far south as Marguerite Bay.
10. Vintage globe
This vintage globe is a superb decorative accessory and reference point, but it’s also a terrific conversation starter. Expect guests to comment on a surprising realisation, whether it’s the fact that the Pacific takes up nearly half the Earth, or that there’s only one country between Finland and North Korea. If you’re not travelling, the next best thing is dreaming about it.
We recommend buying a vintage globe from London travel and map specialist, Stanfords, which provided charts and maps for the likes of Sir Ernest Shackleton and Captain Scott.
A vintage globe makes for a classic gift (Replogle)
11. The Mapping of Antarctica
Paperback | Buy from The Map House
This marvellous book is an illustrated history of the Heroic Age of South Polar Exploration, describing all the expeditions to the Antarctic from 1770 to 1930. Written by Philip Curtis of The Map House, London's oldest specialist antiquarian map seller, the book features over 100 of the most significant and rare polar maps and is illustrated with the ‘lost’ photographs of Robert Falcon Scott.
The Mapping of Antarctica (The Map House)
Support our work Protect Antarctica's heritage
Every membership and donation we receive helps our expert teams deliver vital conservation work across the heritage sites that we preserve. Without your support, sites of great importance in Antarctica's history could quickly deteriorate, taking with them historic artefacts, tales of scientific advancement and human endeavour that inform how we, as a global community, view and value Antarctica today. With your help, we can continue to conserve this special continent to ensure its protection for years to come.
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Follow a unique colony at the end of the world
The gentoos of Port Lockroy are perhaps some of the most famous penguins in the world! The colony made their home with us on Goudier Island over 30 years ago and we have been studying and contributing to their protection ever since. Inquisitive, fluffy and funny, we love sharing their activity with everyone around the world.
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