A-Z Maps have just launched an online version of their “London Street Map – Historical Edition” giving a unique interactive view of the famous streets and landmarks of pre-war London.
The Map was originally drawn on tracing paper in pen and ink using mapping information compiled by A-Z Maps founder Phyllis Pearsall MBE (1906-1996). This arduous task involved visiting all of the city’s thirty one Borough Surveyors departments to collect existing mapping data and also walking the streets themselves in order to hand plot the locations of any new streets and locations. Mrs Pearsall was also responsible for card indexing all street names featured in the map by hand – which provided the inspiration for the original A-Z Maps logo. A reproduction of the completed map is available to buy through the A-Z Maps website.
The map featured on the site is based on the existing online version of the modern-day “London Visitors Map” developed by Majestic Interactive – A-Z maps development partner since 2003.
Both online maps provide a range of features including “click and drag” map navigation, customisable zoom levels and an overview map panel displaying the current main map location – which can also be dragged to update the main map panel display. Majestic are also currently working on additional functions which will leverage the huge range of tourist attraction information included in the London Visitors Map such as the ability to enter a keyword search for individual attractions and to view attraction details including imagery, opening times and directions.
