🧭 English · Directions & map reading · Premium worksheet
Compass Directions Worksheet: Map of the UK and Ireland
Learn to describe places in English with this compass directions worksheet. Students complete the names of the eight compass directions, then use a map of the UK and Ireland to answer nine questions about city locations.
From north and south to north-west and south-east, the activity connects spelling, geography and sentence building. A model about London helps learners use the pattern “in the … of …”.
This Premium resource includes an answer key. Printable PDFs and editable DOCX files are available in A4 and US Letter formats.
🎯 What students practise
The worksheet starts with the vocabulary learners need, then asks them to apply it to a map. Students move from completing individual words to writing where a city is located.
Fill in the missing letters in the eight direction names around the compass.
Find each named city on the map of the UK and Ireland.
Use a direction and the correct geographical area to complete each answer.
Compare the spelling and location sentences with the included answer key.
🧭 Four cardinal points and four intermediate directions
Students complete the missing letters using the compass as a visual guide. The activity practises both recognising a direction and spelling its name.
North, South, East and West: the four main points of the compass.
North-East, North-West, South-East and South-West: the four directions between the main points.
Read South-East on the compass, then use it in a sentence: London is in the south-east of England.
📍 Use the map to locate nine cities
The worksheet gives London as an example, then asks about Edinburgh, Cardiff, Plymouth, Liverpool, Cambridge, Glasgow, Dover, Dublin and Belfast. Learners use the labelled map to decide which direction completes each description.
The prompts gradually offer less support. Most provide part of the sentence, while the final question about Belfast leaves space for students to build their own answer.
💬 A useful sentence pattern: “in the … of …”
The printed example provides a clear model:
Ask learners to notice is, in the and of. Once they understand the pattern, they can reuse it for other cities on the map.
📥 Download the Premium compass directions worksheet
Premium members can download the activity and answer key as printable PDFs or editable Word documents. Choose A4 or US Letter.
💡 Ideas for using the worksheet in class
Practise the eight compass directions orally. Show the map and identify the areas named in the questions.
Ask students to point to the city and the reference area before completing each sentence. Compare answers in pairs.
Let pairs choose another city visible on the map. One asks Where is…? and the other answers using a compass direction.
🎓 Recommended level and school grades
English learners: suggested A1–A2. A1 learners can work with the missing-letter task and sentence frames; the final open answer and oral extensions offer more scope at A2. Pre-teach the direction names and the pattern in the … of … where needed.
Native English speakers: suggested for approximately ages 8–11: US/Canada Grades 3–5, England Years 4–6 and Australia Years 3–5. These are teaching recommendations rather than official curriculum alignments. For older English learners, choose by language level and familiarity with maps.
📚 More English worksheets for location and observation
Continue practising spatial language, reading clues and describing pictures.
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❓ Frequently asked questions
What does this compass directions worksheet contain?
A compass with eight direction names to complete, followed by nine questions about cities on a map of the UK and Ireland. London is given as an example, and an answer key is included.
Which directions do students practise?
North, South, East, West, North-East, North-West, South-East and South-West.
What English level is it suitable for?
A1–A2 is suggested. Beginners can use the spelling clues and sentence frames; stronger learners can build complete answers and ask new questions about the map.
Is the worksheet free?
No. The PDFs and editable DOCX files are reserved for Premium members, in both A4 and US Letter formats.
Is the answer key included?
Yes. The resource includes the completed compass and model answers for the nine city questions.
Does the map include Ireland?
Yes. It covers the UK and Ireland, and the questions include Dublin and Belfast as well as cities in England, Scotland and Wales.
