Types of Bench Mark

Ordnance Survey bench marks are survey marks made by Ordnance Survey to record height above Ordnance Datum. If the exact height of one bench mark is known, the exact height of the next can be found by measuring the difference in heights, through a process of spirit levelling.

Most commonly, the bench marks are found on buildings or other semi-permanent features. Although the main network is no longer being updated, the record is still in existence and the markers will remain until they are eventually destroyed by redevelopment or erosion.

They come in various types.

Flush Bracket

These are rectangular metal plates affixed to triangulation pillars, walls, buildings etc. If they are not affixed to a triangulation pillar they are often referred to as Non-Pillar Flush Brackets (NPFB). They are about 6" x 3" in size and the location of most of them is known through Ordnance Survey (OS) records. Each Flush Bracket (FB) has a unique serial number which makes them highly 'collectable' and there are several numbering types:

Projecting Bracket

An early type of metal bracket used for a short time before the introduction of flush brackets. They are all the same and have no unique attributes.

OSBM Bolt

Used alongside the G-series of flush brackets these are placed where there wasn't a convenient building or wall to provide a vertical surface on which to affix a flush bracket. They are domed metal bolts about 1" (50-60mm) in diameter fixed to horizontal surfaces engraved with OSBM and the benchmark symbol.

Here's an example from Hilbre Island near Liverpool:

Cut Bench Mark

By far the most common type. Used and made from the 1800s to around 20 years ago. You won't have to walk (or drive) very far in any village, town or city in Britain before you spot one of these. Chiselled into stone, brick or wood on all sorts of vertical structures. A familiar horizontal levelling line with a three line arrow pointing towards it (usually upwards). Each one is unique depending on the mason who cut it, some are plain, some decorated. Some roughly cut, some exquisitely cut with high accuracy. Some small, some huge.

Here's an example carved in the wall of All Saints' church, Milton:

Cut Bench Mark with Bolt

Old and rare these have a metal bolt screwed either alongside the horizontal cut of a cut bench mark or at the point of the cut arrowhead. Usually has what appears as a screw head horizontal in the head of the bolt. These are highly prized by benchmarkers.

Here's an example from a photo posted on our forum:

Rivet

Usually found on horizontal surfaces these are cut marks with a small metal domed brass rivet at the apex of the cut arrowhead marks.

Pivot

Fairly rare these are used on horizontal surfaces such as soft sandstone, where the insertion of a rivet would break away the stone. They consist of a small hole or depression cut to take a pivot, a steel ball bearing of 5/8" diameter (16mm). In use, the pivot is placed in the depression and the levelling staff held on top of the pivot.

Fundamental Bench Mark

These are the key to the whole levelling of the UK. Granite blocks with large domed metal caps. Just like an iceberg this is just the tip of a fairly extensive underground structure. Highly accurate height stations still used today as the baseline to levelling.

This one can be found in Williamson Park, in Lancaster:

Triangulation Pillar

Familiar to anyone who walks in the British countryside, these can often (but not always) be found at hilltops. Most have a flush bracket affixed to one side.

Based on an original page by John Talbot which is now no longer online.

Photos copyright Elizabeth Oldham, John S Turner, Paul Oldham, Lancashire Lad, and Peter Wood.