The London Mapguide

by Michael Middleditch

Newly revised and updated, this convenient guide is the essential companion for visitors to London in the new century. Featuring colorful, informative, easy-to-handle maps that require no unfolding, the guide gives a comprehensive overview of what to see and do in and around England's capital city. * Updated with information on all special millennium events, including a section on the Millennium Dome in Greenwich, and new developments such as Barkside * Includes special features on Wren's London, Docklands, Hampstead Heath, and the British Museum * Has everything you'll need to know about London museums, theaters, markets, jazz clubs and cabarets, parks, river and canal trips, tourist information centers, and selected restaurants, cafes, and pubs * Lightweight and pocket-sized, with a complete street index-perfect for on-the-go travelers.

Genres: Travel, Reference, London, Nonfiction, Maps

64 pages, Map

First published October 4, 1988

Reviews

[Jason Koivu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THESE! When planning trips to London I absolutely pored over Michael Middleditch's The London Mapguide. The incredible detail added so much more enjoyment to my time there.

The Mapguide series is not very useful for driving, but who drives in Europe's big cities anyway, especially London? No, they're made for foot travel. Each guide shows the city on a page-by-page grid, with each square of the grid zoomed in to show approximately a quarter mile area. That's close enough to show every street, road and lane!



As you see, streets, waterways and rail, above and below ground, are included. Even motor-traffic-banned, pedestrian-only ways are given. That's useful practicality for you, but the little details are the real Mapguide gold!

Using various sized fonts, symbols and colors, you'll find labeled shops, pubs, restaurants, hotels, cathedrals, government buildings, schools, sports stadiums and grounds, parks, pubs, castles, castle ruins, museums, theaters, historical landmarks and -oh my head- the pubs! Check out the pic above. The pubs are denoted with a star and are labeled in light blue type. Look how many there are! And those are just the ones Middleditch decided to include.

Less crowded spaces on the maps are occasionally filled with helpful tips on current road or hiking path conditions, or an interesting historical fact about the area. But those are perhaps the book's least useful attribute, considering its less-than-up-to-date publishing schedule.

At first it all might seem a bit cluttered, especially in the congested areas of the city, but once you understand the color coding it's easy for your typical cartophile. People that don't like maps to begin with probably won't be converted by this, but map lovers will rejoice at the wealth of information within! HUZZAH!!!

[Laura Leaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic pamphlet map on nearly every significant part of London. The very outskirts are the only places missing, but this is the easiest map to read if you intend on easily finding the places you want to visit and orient yourself directionally. It's not an atlas, but a location guide (i.e. where is Kensington Gardens in relation to Bayswater or Paddington) and what's there to see in any of those places? Perhaps Little Venice or the London Toy and Model Museum?

I bought this to help situate myself while reading books set in London, and for that purpose it gets five stars. If I'd had this little gem with me when I visited Highgate Cemetery, I'd have seen the gigantic swath of map-green called Hampstead Heath and traipsed over there. Although, there's a lovely little blurb in the map book that says, "It is very easy to get lost on the heath. When you get to a clear high space look for a church or a telecommunications pylon to orientate yourself." I wonder how many people have to be located by rangers in Kenwood or the South Meadow?

This guide is a keeper. Despite the fact it was published for the Olympics in 2012, it will never be outdated.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the single best London reference. The maps include all of the important museums, historical spots, department stores, and parks. The text descriptions are quite thorough. The best part is being able to find almost any spot in London on the detailed maps. This is a great reference for anyone who reads a lot of books set in London or who would just like to pretend she is there.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only book you need when going to London. Best map book ever.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best city map EVER! Plus advise and descriptions of many sites to see!