The maps in this gallery appear in Magnificent Maps of London, an exhibition at London Metropolitan Archives until 29 March 2023.

The historical map collections at London Metropolitan Archives show the development of the city in incredible detail, from the late sixteenth century to the present day. Beginning with the first attempts to chart the streets of the City of London, to the record of Second World War devastation created in the London County Council Bomb Damage maps, they provide a unique view of London’s story and many of the events that shaped the city we know today.

The maps on display in Magnificent Maps of London bring together some of the best-known records of the capital, including work by Georg Braun and Frans Hogenberg, John Rocque, John Ogilby and William Morgan, Richard Horwood, and Christopher and John Greenwood. Early visitor guides feature alongside, tram routes, local plans and thematic surveys, including Charles Booth's map of London poverty.

Some of the maps on display can be used to study the growth of London at a local level, with maps of parishes and localities, as well as the development of London across the Greater London area. Others demonstrate the use of maps not just as a way of navigating the city, but also as a way of presenting information which records the experience of previous generations of Londoners, from pandemics to population studies.

The maps displayed in the exhibition are a very small selection from the collections. To see many more, explore the maps section.