My wife and I will be sight seeing in London for three days during May and we will probably use a street map. Rick Steves recommended "Benson's London Street Map" in his "Great Britain" book. However, there is a full version and mini version. Since I will only be carrying it around as we tour, I would prefer the mini version if it is adequate. Anyone have a recommendation one way or another or possibly even a different map?
Regards, Bob Looper
It looks like the mini version covers a slightly smaller area than the full version does. Take a look at the preview images on bensonsmaps.co.uk. If all of the places you plan to go are covered by the mini version, then it should be fine.
As for other maps, I am a fan of the Everyman Mapguides (http://www.amazon.com/London-Everyman-MapGuides-Guides/dp/1841595373). It's like a little book, organized by neighborhood, and each page has a flip-out map that shows all the streets. I like them because they make it easy to pull out the book, quickly check where you are, and then put the book away, rather than having to grapple with unfolding and refolding a giant map every time. There's guidebook-type information in them too (restaurants, shops, attractions), but because they don't get updated very often, some of that information might be out of date. But the street maps are still perfectly fine - the streets in London really don't change very often.
You simply can't beat a London A-Z. They come in all sizes from so big it has to go in your car to small enough to fit in a handbag.
this would suit your needs
A to Z is by far the best. It's all Brits use. I have never heard of Benson's maps.
These days though, you can't beat a travel app, such as Co Pilot or even just Google Maps (although these aren't as accurate). Far easier than carrying a paper map around all day.
Maps, maps, maps. I love maps. All kinds – historical, contemporary, you name it.
On my 2015 trip to England I took several as well as some smartphone apps.
For a short stay in London, I recommend the pocket-sized map booklet of London in the Knopf Mapgudies series ($12). It has foldout map pages that are easy to manage and pop back in place. Includes descriptions for restaurants, bars/pubs, tearooms, clubs and concert venues, and shopping. Major tourist points (museums, etc.) are covered. The text for each area is right next to the appropriate map. Street index and Tube map in the back. Card stock paper holds up well. Also a good buy before the trip for planning purposes.
link to Amazon
There is nothing like the AtoZ products. But I would recommend a phone app like CityMaps2Go as a companion to the Knopf map booklet.
I'm sorry but I've never heard of Benson's.
I have a whole bookshelf dedicated to atlases and maps of southern England including a raft of London ones.
Best of the bunch - A-Z.
Don't use a fold out map in London. It marks you out. And its tough to use in the rain and wind. (yeah, we get those. This weekend is expected to be a doozie. Happy Easter and Bank Holiday weekend.)
Get a a small book format. If you don't like the A-Z try the Phillips Ordnance Survey one. Always in my back pocket.
The London A to Z Guide looks great. Can that be found at most bookstores in London?
Don't need a bookstore (but yes, and throughout the whole country every single generalist bookstore will have it).
Just pop into the first WH Smiths you see. On every street. Or any newsagents. Or any street corner tat seller. Really everywhere.
I have to disagree with Nigel this one time - "Don't use a fold out map in London. It marks you out. And its tough to use in the rain and wind. (yeah, we get those. This weekend is expected to be a doozie. Happy Easter and Bank Holiday weekend.)"
No matter which map you stare at, it is not hard to be spotted as a tourist. There are many signs that can easily identify a person as a visitor (clothes, camera, etc.). The small foldout map that I mentioned is not a wind hazard unless you are in a gale. Central London is a very safe place if one uses common sense to protect belongings and follow a few safety rules. Like one should do in any large city.
I don't know whether my Benson's is the mini version or not, but it's about 7" high and 4" wide, folded in Its cover. It covers the area from Earls Court on the west to Tower Bridge on the east, the zoo on the north to Vauxhall on the south, with an insert on the southeast showing bus routes. On the other side is a more detailed map of the central tourist area, and a lot of listings. It also has a street index and tube map. We found it very useful.
The A-Z looks very good too, and street atlases like that are handy for pedestrians looking for just the right spot. And maybe, if you're careful, you can consult it inconspicuously enough not to draw the attention of the friendly Brits who offer help whenever you look lost, or even just a bit confused! And it won't blow away in the wind. ;-)
You will be able to buy an A to Z at Heathrow.
Unless you are wearing fancy dress, I am not sure from one of the previous posts how your clothing will make you stand out as a tourist. We have many of the same brands here as in the States.
The issue is not that using a fold-out map marks you as a tourist. It's that it marks you as a lost, confused, clueless tourist who is vulnerable to being pickpocketed or conned.
Thank you, Philip.
Just pop into the first WH Smiths you see. On every street. Or any newsagents. Or any street corner tat seller. Really everywhere.
Yep, I bought my used pocket AZ for 1£ from a table of random stuff outside Warren St station. Hard not to find one.
DJ
