Baxtersweb Maps Documentation

Create dynamic OpenStreetMap displays using structured WordPress content

Instead of manually creating individual maps, you add location information directly to your posts, pages, or custom post types using Advanced Custom Fields.

Your content provides the locations.

Baxtersweb Maps automatically creates the interactive map.

Why Baxtersweb Maps Exists

Most map plugins are designed around manually creating standalone maps.

That works well for simple websites, but becomes difficult when every piece of content needs its own unique location information.

For example:

  • Every travel itinerary needs different stops
  • Every event needs different locations
  • Every delivery route has different destinations
  • Every tour has its own route
  • Every directory item needs its own map

Baxtersweb Maps connects maps directly to your WordPress content.

Create your content → Add locations → Display your map automatically

Your location data stays organised, reusable, and managed inside WordPress.

Common Use Cases

Baxtersweb Maps is designed for location-based content.

Travel & Tourism

Create interactive maps for:

  • Travel itineraries
  • Road trips
  • Safari routes
  • Tour packages
  • Destination guides

Local Guides

Build structured location experiences:

  • Wine routes
  • Food trails
  • Walking routes
  • City guides
  • Attractions

Events

Display:

  • Festival areas
  • Race routes
  • Venue maps
  • Event locations
  • Important checkpoints

Business & Operations

Create:

  • Delivery routes
  • Service areas
  • Project locations
  • Branch directories
  • Customer locations

Who Is Baxtersweb Maps For?

Baxtersweb Maps is ideal for WordPress creators who build structured websites using custom fields.

It is especially useful for:

  • Developers
  • Agencies
  • Content-heavy websites
  • Directory websites
  • Tourism websites
  • Event websites

If you create custom post types and want each item to have its own interactive map, Baxtersweb Maps provides a simple structured workflow.

Requirements

Before using Baxtersweb Maps, install:

  • Advanced Custom Fields Pro
  • ACF OpenStreetMap Field
  • Baxtersweb Maps

Advanced Custom Fields Pro is required because Baxtersweb Maps uses repeater fields to manage multiple locations.

The ACF OpenStreetMap Field provides the location picker used for each marker.

How Baxtersweb Maps Works

Baxtersweb Maps uses two marker types:

  • Route Markers
  • Points of Interest (POIs)

Route Markers

Route Markers create the main journey displayed on your map.

Each marker includes:

  • Title
  • Description
  • OpenStreetMap location

Markers are connected in the same order they appear within the repeater field.

Without a routing API, markers are connected using dashed straight lines.

With a valid openrouteservice API key, Baxtersweb Maps automatically generates road-following routes and stores them locally for future use.

Points of Interest

Points of Interest (POIs) provide additional locations without affecting the route itself.

Examples include:

  • Hotels
  • Restaurants
  • Scenic viewpoints
  • Museums
  • Campsites
  • Visitor centres
  • Parking areas

POIs are displayed alongside your route using their own configurable marker style.

Getting Started

1. Install the Required Plugins

Install and activate:

  • Advanced Custom Fields Pro
  • ACF OpenStreetMap Field
  • Baxtersweb Maps

Then open:

Tools → Baxtersweb Maps

2. Create the Recommended Fields

Click:

Create / Update ACF Fields

Choose where the field group should be created, such as Posts, Pages or your own Custom Post Types.

Baxtersweb Maps automatically creates the recommended ACF field group required for route markers and Points of Interest.

3. Configure Your Map

Visit:

Tools → Baxtersweb Maps

From here you can configure:

  • Map height
  • Map style
  • Marker colours
  • POI colours
  • Route colour
  • Marker sequence (Letters or Numbers)
  • Route display
  • Routing API

The built-in preview updates as you customise the plugin.

4. Add Your Locations

Edit your content.

Add Route Markers in the order you want the route to appear.

Each Route Marker includes:

  • Marker title
  • Marker description
  • OpenStreetMap location

Optionally add any Points of Interest alongside your route.

Road Routing

Road-following routes are optional.

Without an API key, Baxtersweb Maps displays dashed straight-line routes between your Route Markers.

When a free openrouteservice API key is configured, the plugin automatically generates road-following routes.

Generated routes are stored locally inside WordPress and reused whenever the map is displayed.

This means:

  • visitors do not repeatedly consume your API quota;
  • existing road routes continue working even if the API key is later removed;
  • only new or modified routes require the API again.

Display Your Map

Display the current post or page:

[bxtr_map]

Display a specific post:

[bxtr_map id="123"]

Hide the route:

[bxtr_map route="no"]

Hide Points of Interest:

[bxtr_map poi="no"]

Using Baxtersweb Maps in Templates

PHP

Copy to Clipboard

Advanced Views

Copy to Clipboard

When displaying maps inside loops, always pass the current post ID to ensure each map displays the correct route.

Styling Your Maps

Visit:

Tools → Baxtersweb Maps

Customise:

  • Map style
  • Map height
  • Route colour
  • Route display
  • Marker colour
  • Marker numbering colour
  • Marker sequence
  • Points of Interest colour

A live preview allows you to see your styling changes before saving.

Multiple Maps

Baxtersweb Maps supports multiple maps on the same page.

When displaying maps inside templates or loops, always provide the post ID.

Example:

[bxtr_map id="123"]

This ensures each map loads the correct Route Markers and Points of Interest.

Duplicate Locations

Sometimes multiple Route Markers use exactly the same location.

For example:

  • Day 1 – Hotel Arrival
  • Day 3 – Return to Hotel

Baxtersweb Maps automatically offsets overlapping markers to keep them visible while maintaining their original locations.

Summary

Baxtersweb Maps brings interactive OpenStreetMap experiences directly into your structured WordPress content.

Instead of manually building individual maps, your Route Markers and Points of Interest live alongside your posts, pages or custom post types.

Create your content, add your locations and display beautiful interactive maps with a single shortcode—using either simple straight-line routes or optional road-following routes powered by openrouteservice.