What Can Old Maps of London Tell Us About the City?
London has changed enormously over the centuries. Streets have been widened or disappeared, new neighbourhoods have grown beyond the historic centre, railways have transformed the landscape and the River Thames has continually adapted to the needs of a growing city.
One of the most fascinating ways to see these changes is through old maps of London.
An antique map is much more than a guide to streets and places. It is a snapshot of a particular moment in London's history. It can show how the city looked, where people lived and worked, how the river was used and how rapidly London was expanding.
Our collection of original antique maps of London includes examples from several centuries, allowing visitors to explore the capital's changing appearance through the eyes of historic mapmakers.
London Before the Great Fire
Antique Map of London Before the Great Fire of 1666 by Robert Wilkinson after Hollar
The Great Fire of London in 1666 was one of the defining events in the history of the capital. Much of the medieval City of London was destroyed, and the rebuilding that followed changed the appearance of the city considerably.
Maps depicting London before the Great Fire are therefore particularly interesting. They can show the dense medieval street pattern, churches, markets and buildings that occupied the City before the destruction.
Some later maps were produced specifically to depict earlier versions of London. These retrospective maps can still be valuable historical documents because they record how 17th-century London was understood by later generations.
For collectors, a map showing London before the Great Fire offers a fascinating opportunity to explore a city that has largely disappeared.
Rebuilding London After 1666
The rebuilding of London created an opportunity to rethink parts of the city.
Christopher Wren was involved in proposals for rebuilding the capital, and the period following the Great Fire saw significant changes to London's streets, churches and public buildings. Although not all the ambitious rebuilding schemes were adopted, the period left a lasting mark on the city.
The River Thames was also becoming increasingly important to London's commercial life.
Historic maps and plans of the London Docks and River Thames can reveal the relationship between the river, warehouses, wharves and the expanding commercial centre. They provide a different perspective on London from maps concerned primarily with streets and buildings.
Georgian London on Old Maps
During the 18th century, London continued to expand beyond the traditional City and Westminster.
The developing suburbs increasingly appeared on maps, while roads connected the historic centre with growing communities further afield. Maps from this period can therefore help illustrate the gradual transformation from a relatively compact city into a much larger urban area.
London and Surrounding Area by Homann Heirs 1741
An 18th-century London map might show:
The City of London and Westminster
The River Thames and its crossings
Developing suburbs
Major roads and streets
Churches and important buildings
Markets and commercial areas
Docks and riverside activity
For anyone interested in Georgian London, these details make an antique map an unusually vivid historical resource.
Victorian London: A City Expanding Rapidly
The 19th century brought some of the most dramatic changes to London.
The population increased rapidly, new suburbs developed and the railway network transformed the way people travelled around the capital. Streets were extended, new roads were built and previously rural areas became increasingly urban.
This period produced some remarkably detailed maps.
Victorian maps of London can show not only the major streets but also smaller roads, individual buildings, railway lines, stations, parks and industrial areas. Some large-format maps were designed to be displayed on walls, providing an extensive picture of the rapidly changing capital.
For historians and collectors, these maps offer an opportunity to investigate London at a particular point in its development.
The Importance of the River Thames
The River Thames has always been central to London's history.
For centuries the river was a major route for trade and transport. The development of London's docks transformed the riverside into one of the world's most important commercial centres.
Old maps and charts of the Thames can reveal the location of docks, warehouses, wharves and other riverside facilities. They can also show how the river itself was navigated and organised.
River Thames and London in 1840 by Creighton and Walker
A map concentrating on the Thames therefore tells a somewhat different story from a conventional London street map. It provides an insight into the commercial and industrial importance of the river.
What Can You Discover on an Old London Map?
One of the pleasures of owning an antique map is discovering details that may not be immediately apparent.
A detailed map can reveal the location of a building that no longer exists, an old street name, a former railway route or a neighbourhood that has subsequently changed beyond recognition.
Maps can be particularly useful for researching:
Historic Streets
Some London streets have been renamed, extended or completely redeveloped. An old map can provide evidence of the earlier street layout.
Buildings and Churches
Historic maps can identify churches, public buildings, markets and other landmarks that may have changed or disappeared.
London's Expanding Suburbs
Comparing maps from different periods makes it possible to see how quickly London spread beyond its historic centre.
Railways
Victorian railway development had a profound effect on London. Railway lines and stations shown on period maps can help explain the growth of new suburbs and commuting routes.
The River and Docks
Maps of the Thames provide an insight into London's long history as a major port and commercial centre.
Famous Mapmakers of London
London has been mapped by many important cartographers and publishers.
Among the names encountered by collectors are John Speed, John Rocque, Robert Morden, John Cary and Thomas Moule.
Each mapmaker approached London differently, and the style, scale and amount of information can vary considerably between maps.
John Rocque's mapping is particularly important for understanding 18th-century London, while John Cary produced numerous detailed maps during a period when the capital was expanding rapidly.
Thomas Moule is well known for his decorative maps, which combine geographical information with an attractive visual style.
Later Victorian publishers produced increasingly detailed maps as printing techniques improved and demand grew for accurate representations of the expanding city.
Why Do People Collect Antique Maps of London?
There are many reasons for collecting an antique London map.
For some people, the attraction is historical. A map provides a direct visual connection with a particular period in the city's development.
For others, it may be connected with family or local history. A map can help place a house, street, workplace or neighbourhood within its historical setting.
Antique maps are also collected for their decorative qualities. Large Victorian maps in particular can make striking framed displays, combining historical interest with visual appeal.
Collectors may choose to concentrate on a particular period, cartographer, area of London or type of map.
The important thing is that every original map has its own history.
How to Choose an Antique Map of London
If you are considering buying an antique London map, there are several things worth considering.
Date: What period of London's history interests you most?
Area: Do you want a map of the central city, London and Westminster, the Thames, the docks or a particular district?
Cartographer: You may have a particular interest in the work of a mapmaker such as Cary, Moule, Rocque or Speed.
Size: Large wall maps can make impressive displays, while smaller maps may be easier to frame and accommodate in a home.
Condition: The condition of an antique map is an important consideration. Age-related marks, folds, repairs and other characteristics should be considered alongside rarity and historical importance.
Originality: If you are buying an antique map as a historical object, it is important to establish whether you are purchasing an original period map or a later reproduction.
London Through the Eyes of Its Mapmakers
Perhaps the greatest attraction of old maps is that they allow us to see London as it appeared to people living at different points in its history.
A map from the early 19th century shows a very different city from one published at the end of the Victorian period. Roads, buildings, suburbs, railways and docks appear and disappear as London continues to evolve.
Viewed together, these maps tell the story of a city that has never stopped changing.
An original antique map can therefore be both a beautiful object and a fascinating historical document.
Explore Our Antique Maps of London
Our collection includes original antique and vintage maps of London dating from the 17th to the 20th centuries. The collection includes historic street plans, maps of London and Westminster, maps of the Thames and docks, Victorian maps and maps depicting earlier periods of the capital's history.
Whether you are a collector, researching London's history, tracing a particular area or simply looking for an unusual historical piece to display, an old map can provide a remarkable connection with London's past.
Explore our collection of antique maps of London and discover how the capital has changed through the centuries.
