Rare Old Map of West-Central London, 1900: Hyde Park, Kensington, Hammersmith, Museums, Wormwood Scrubs

Sheet 10 from Bacon's New Large Scale Atlas of London and Suburbs, created in 1900 by the renowned G.W. Bacon & Co., is a captivating snapshot of West-Central London at the dawn of the 20th century. This exquisite map beautifully captures a city in transition, where Victorian architecture and terraced housing coexist with expansive tracts of farmland. The map's detailed artistry offers a unique glimpse into the urban landscape of London, highlighting the blend of bustling city life and serene green spaces that characterized this era.

One of the most striking features of this map is its depiction of London's iconic parks, such as Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. These verdant expanses served as the city's lungs, providing much-needed respite from the urban hustle and bustle. The map also showcases Wormwood Scrubs, a vast open space that, at the time, was on the cusp of transformation. These parks not only offered leisure and recreation but also played a crucial role in the social and cultural life of Londoners.

The map's focus on significant neighborhoods like Kensington, Hammersmith, and Kensal Green provides a fascinating insight into the city's diverse character. Kensington, with its elegant streets and cultural landmarks, stands in contrast to the more industrial and working-class areas of Hammersmith. Each neighborhood is intricately detailed, reflecting the unique architectural styles and community spirit that defined them. This level of detail makes the map an invaluable resource for understanding the historical development of these areas.

Landmarks such as the Natural History Museum and the Paddington Recreation Ground are prominently featured, underscoring London's status as a hub of education and leisure. These sites were not only architectural marvels but also symbols of the city's commitment to public enrichment and cultural advancement. The map's depiction of these landmarks offers a window into the priorities and aspirations of London at the time, making it a compelling piece for historians and enthusiasts alike.

G.W. Bacon & Co., the esteemed mapmaker behind this creation, was known for its precision and artistry. Their maps were not just navigational tools but works of art that captured the essence of a place. This map of West-Central London is a testament to their craftsmanship, offering a richly detailed and historically significant portrayal of a city on the brink of modernity. It serves as both a historical document and a piece of art, inviting viewers to explore the vibrant tapestry of London's past.

Streets and roads on this map

• Bayswater Road
• Edgware Road
• Gloucester Road
• Goldhawk Road
• Great Western Road
• Harrow Road
• Holland Park Avenue
• Kensington High Street
• Kilburn Lane
• Ladbroke Grove
• Notting Hill Gate
• Old Oak Common Lane
• Oxford Street
• Park Lane
• Portobello Road
• Praed Street
• Queensway
• Shaftesbury Avenue
• Shepherd's Bush Road
• Uxbridge Road
• Westbourne Grove
• Westway

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Large Parks:
• Hyde Park
• Kensington Gardens
• Wormwood Scrubs
• Landmarks:
• Natural History Museum
• Paddington Recreation Ground
• Neighbourhoods:
• Kensington
• Hammersmith
• Kensal Green
• Harlesden Green

Historical and design context

• Creation date: 1900
• Mapmaker/Publisher: G.W. Bacon & Co.
• Design/Style context:
• Attractively colored with a balance of detail.
• Represents a transitional period in London's urban development.
• Historical significance:
• Captures the expansion of London during the Victorian era.
• Shows the blend of urban and rural landscapes before further urbanization.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (60x90cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.