A. to Z. London Street Atlas

Product Information

The Geographers' A–Z Street Atlas and the story of how Phyllis Pearsall came to write the first edition covering London were featured in a 2005 episode of Nicholas Crane's Map Man TV programme. This revealed that, on all their maps, A–Z print a non-existent trap street so that they can tell if a map has been illegally copied from theirs, a technique used by several publishers of reference works (see fictitious entry). The map is stored entirely on the mobile device and using the map requires no internet connection and hence is fast, ideal for iPad devices as well as iPhones and will work anywhere (even underground). The index section lists streets, embassies, legations, commonwealth representatives and hospitals covered by this atlas.

Mapping London’s favourite part of the book is the final section, looking at specific London locations – those which have radically changed since the first A to Z was produced. We particularly like the way the examples in this section are mapped – with an old A to Z map showing the former layout, immediately beside or above a brand new A to Z map to exactly the same scale. For example, the area around Battersea Power Station has comprehensively changed as these two maps show: A wealth of addtional information and options regarding your journey is provided & many versions come with "Live information" that enables you toMagnificent! The map I’ve been using all my life, now in crystal clear form on my phone. Being able to rotate the map to any angle is a total winner. I’ve now retired my battered and beloved paper A-Z as a result.” The map index contains over 300,000 entries with nearly 100,000 streets, over 200,000 postcodes, plus thousands of places of interest, hospitals and rail stations. All can be located on this high quality map within a few seconds using the search feature or by browsing the index.

A great map, a little bit more memory taken then the average app, but it gives me a most intuitive look at what makes up GReater London then other maps can provide.” In one scheme, the letters JIHGFEDCBA represent the digits 1 to 9 and 0, so that HFD would be 357, indicating a publication date of March 1957. This seems to have been used on all the company's folding maps, and possibly also those in book form. Suddenly, large chunks of the population had free access to a zoomable, scrollable map of the capital, on a device half the size of the smallest A-Z. Better yet, inbuilt GPS furnished us with a little blob, to indicate current location. You could even get a street view and satellite view. A-Z (now owned by Collins) have kept up by releasing their own apps ( iOS/ Android), but the paper version is increasingly rare. Of note, the quality of reproduction of the maps is excellent. Both old and new are crisp and clear. The book’s hardcover sleeve also has a rather nice “old parchment map” texture. Small detail we know but adds to the quality feel of the publication.The Geographers' A–Z Street Atlas, commonly shortened to A–Z (pronounced "Ay to Zed"), is a title given to any one of a range of atlases of streets in the United Kingdom produced by Geographers' A–Z Map Company Limited. Its first atlas, of London, was originally compiled in the 1930s by Phyllis Pearsall. The company she founded now publishes street maps of many cities and towns in the UK. Unless indicated to the contrary, the index shows districts and various facilities or places of interest in colour to make them easy to see., with separate listings of hospitals/healthcare facilities and railway/underground/etc, stations. All versions all include a diagram of London Transport’s Underground/Overground/DLR network. Stanford’s presentation of the individual atlases includes an image showing the extent of the coverage. Iris also remembers the former era fondly: "I came to London in 1967. Lived in Earls Court. Everyone had an A-Z permanently on their person. How else could Auzzies, Canadians and people like me, from the North, get about. No mobile phones or sat nav. Good days." You can use your device’s inbuilt location services to show your current location on the map or follow your movements as you travel. Optionally, if you do have internet connectivity you will benefit from enhanced search results and a link to alternative views on an internet based map.

We also enjoyed looking at some fairly-recent maps of London, that look very similar to the up-to-date ones, but show something that has since changed. For example, Trafalgar Square with traffic running on all four sides of it, until it was pedestrianised at the end of last century – how did we take so long to do that? What the book is not, is (just) a history of the A to Z map. Rather, it is a book about the history and geography of London, with A to Z maps used to frame the narrative. The A-Z London smartphone map apps don’t compete with these services, but they do offer some real advantages for use in London. One standout feature is app performance. Offline access means that there is no need to stand around and wait for a signal, and no roaming data charges to pay. You can even use your A-Z maps on the tube. The second big advantage is the mapping quality. A-Z mapping is renowned for being easy to use, up to date and accurate. It wouldn’t be fair to expect a free global map service to match this. in 1972, the company name was changed from Geographers' Map Company to Geographers' A–Z Map Company. An area extending to: London Zoo to the north, Tower Bridge to the east, Tate Britain to the south and Kensington Palace to the westInformation about places of interest, museums and art galleries for both central and outer London, including a star rating system to highlight recommended visitor attractions. Sam still uses the A-Z for navigation while on the road: "[I] have one in map holder on motorcycle tank in front of me. Love London A to Z books. Love it. Learn from it too, unlike just following what the voice satnav tells you to do." These maps are a digital copy of the famous A-Z Street Maps of London with other UK cities available soon. Geographers' A–Z Map Company was the official supplier of atlases and maps for the 2012 Olympic Games and 2012 Paralympic Games and produced detailed maps for the Olympic Park in Stratford, as well as all the other venues that were used during the games in London and throughout the United Kingdom. They produced three special maps detailing transport information on getting to the venues and also provided information on events related to the 2012 Cultural Olympiad. In addition, A–Z provided special sections relating to the Games in their 2012 editions of their main UK-wide and local maps. John dislikes digital maps: "The apps are thoroughly inadequate. If they weren't, I would toss the paper one in the bin." He doesn't elaborate.

The map index contains over 300,000 entries with nearly 100,000 streets, over 200,000 postcodes, plus thousands of places of interest, hospitals and rail stations. All can be located on this high quality map within a few seconds using the search feature or by browsing the index. The search now reaches out to the internet for additional selections when an internet connection is available. The A to Z is a bit of an institution when it comes to London maps. It, along with the Tube Map, is probably the most famous and well known London map, and certainly the most famous atlas. We’ve reviewed a historic A-Z map of London before, but not the modern one that you will find in many bookshops, newsagents and petrol stations across the city and country. So, when this book – not a map! – the A to Z History of London– arrived in Mapping London Towers, we were curious. So what are people saying about the A-Z apps? We’re delighted with how well the apps have been received, with reviewers complementing the quality and value for money. Just take a look on the app store for your mobile device. This high quality map covers a massive 3743 sq km (1445 sq miles) of London down to street level, the same area as the current print version of the Master Atlas of Greater London and extends beyond the Greater London and M25 area to Hemel Hempstead, Anita hits on a happy side-effect of paper maps: "I love a real map and the memories of all the places I have been." Paper does that somehow. We remember tracing our routes across the streets in a way that just doesn't happen on a screen.Paper maps are still very useful in situations with low mobile coverage, but do they still have a place in a 5G-irradiated city? The answer seems to be an emphatic YES, at least according to Londonist's facebook followers. "Use mine every day!" You can also use your device’s inbuilt location services to show your current location on the map or follow your movements as you travel.