Frequently asked questions
The longer answers about Trupin. For quick steps on using the map, see How to use Trupin.
What is Trupin?
Trupin is a layered map of your area — it brings the things worth knowing about a place onto one map, organised into layers you can turn on and off. Some layers are permanent fixtures — blue plaques, drinking fountains, traffic cameras, public services. Others are things happening — this week's exhibitions, what's on, events with a date and a place. Open it and you see what's around you; pick the layers you care about.
On the web
It's free, and it runs in your browser.
In the iPhone app
It's free.
Can I hide a layer, like children’s events?
On the web
Yes. Touch and hold a layer (or right-click it on a computer) to hide it: the chip changes to show it’s hidden, and every pin carrying that layer drops off the map. Do the same again to bring it back. You can also choose Hide from a layer’s menu, which works with a keyboard and screen reader.
Once you’ve picked two or more layers, an All / Any switch appears: right after your picked layers on a computer, or in the menu that opens when you tap a picked layer on a phone. It sets how the layers combine. All, the default, shows only pins that carry every layer you’ve picked, so each pick narrows the map. Any shows pins that carry at least one — pick Music and Theatre to see both. Hidden layers stay hidden either way, and the link you share keeps your choices.
In the iPhone app
Not in the iPhone app yet — hiding layers and the All / Any switch are on the web for now, at app.trupin.co.uk. In the app, each layer you tap narrows the map to pins that carry all of them.
Where can I find playgrounds?
Trupin maps the children’s play spaces in Richmond upon Thames. They come from Ordnance Survey’s OS Open Greenspace data, published under the Open Government Licence, and each one is credited to Ordnance Survey.
On the web
With the map on Richmond upon Thames, tap Playground in the row of layers along the top, or type “playground” in the search box.
In the iPhone app
With the map on Richmond upon Thames, tap Playground in the row of layers along the top, or tap the magnifying glass and search for it.
Where can I see river and tide levels?
Trupin shows the latest water level measured at the Environment Agency’s six river and tide gauges in Richmond upon Thames — three on the Thames (at Richmond, Teddington Lock and Trowlock Island), two on the River Crane and one on Beverley Brook at Barnes. Each pin shows the level and the time it was measured, and the readings are refreshed through the day. They’re observed levels only, not a flood forecast; flood warnings are their own layer. The data comes from the Environment Agency’s real-time flood-monitoring service, published under the Open Government Licence.
On the web
With the map on Richmond upon Thames, tap River Level in the row of layers along the top, or type “river” in the search box.
In the iPhone app
With the map on Richmond upon Thames, tap River Level in the row of layers along the top, or tap the magnifying glass and search for it.
Where can I find a food bank?
Trupin maps Richmond Foodbank’s hub and its distribution points in Richmond upon Thames. The locations come from Give Food and are used with its permission. Each pin is credited to Give Food, and the credit links to that food bank’s page on Give Food. A food bank usually needs a referral — a food bank voucher from a local agency — so check how to get one before you go.
On the web
With the map on Richmond upon Thames, tap Food Bank in the row of layers along the top, or type “food bank” in the search box.
In the iPhone app
With the map on Richmond upon Thames, tap Food Bank in the row of layers along the top, or tap the magnifying glass and search for it.
Where can I find fireworks displays and other seasonal events?
On the web
At some times of year Trupin maps seasonal community events in Richmond upon Thames — public fireworks displays around Bonfire Night, for example. Each one comes from its organiser’s own page and sticks to the facts: the event’s name, date, times and venue. The pin is credited to the organiser and links to their page, so check there for tickets and any late changes before you go.
While they’re on, they show as event pins. With the map on Richmond upon Thames, tap Bonfire Night in the row of layers along the top, or type “fireworks” in the search box. To narrow them to This Weekend or Next 7 Days, use the calendar button next to the search box (Filter by date).
In the iPhone app
Not in the iPhone app yet — seasonal events such as fireworks displays are on the web for now, at app.trupin.co.uk.
Do I need an account? Is it free?
Browsing is free and needs no account — just open the map. There’s nothing to sign up for.
Where does the data come from?
Trupin's layers come from the organisations that know your area — public bodies and trusted sources. Bathing-water quality from the Environment Agency, blue plaques from English Heritage, drinking fountains from the Greater London Authority, facilities from local councils, events from the venues and organisers who run them, and more. Each layer is credited to its source. Most are refreshed daily; a few, like the traffic cameras, refresh every few minutes. We curate what belongs on a map of a place — and we don't track you to build it. See the full list of sources, licences and attribution on our sources page.
Something missing or wrong?
If something near you is missing from the map, or a pin is out of date, email us at simont@trupin.co.uk and we'll look at it.
Your privacy and data
We explain what we collect and how we use it in our privacy policy. You can request access to or deletion of your data at any time — get in touch using the contact below.
For councils, venues and data owners
If you maintain a local dataset — events, amenities, environmental readings, heritage records — you can put it on the map your area is already using, credited to you and kept current automatically. Get in touch and we'll wire it in.
Contact and support
Questions, corrections, or something that shouldn't be on the map? Email us at simont@trupin.co.uk and we'll get back to you.
Trupin is a product of Trupin Ltd, registered in England and Wales, company number 16254743.