Our Map of the Month for May is the London Greenground Map by graphic designer and map maker Helen Ilus.
Exclusive to Stanfords this Spring/ Summer.
The London Greenground Map is the largest greenground map to date – connecting 1,200 green spaces with 20 inspirational lines for exploring the London-wide network of parks, rivers, nature reserves, woods and wetlands. Covering all London boroughs so that every neighbourhood can find nature on their doorstep.
The project first started in the spring of 2019 when Helen Ilus proposed an idea to connect parks in a tube-style walking map. The idea was well-received and the first maps were collaborative, with people suggesting parks and open spaces. Since then the map has grown 15 times and this new third edition of the map is the most intricate she has ever made.
An enthusiastic walker and urban explorer Helen travelled widely, studying and working in UK, before coming up with the idea of connecting parks to tube style network for walkers. A fan of Harry Beck’s London Tube map, she wondered what would happen combining the schematic mapping with walking routes. As an intuitive traveller she found the schematic maps more accessible in urban environments, but realised they also trap people in transport networks. This is why her maps give priority to green infrastructure, replacing stations with parks and tube lines with walking routes.
While celebrating London’s greenery this map also aims to draw attention to the threats green spaces are facing – urban expansion and over-development. This third edition map highlights some of the ongoing projects online you can support to not lose the green in London.
This is a flat map that will come carefully rolled in a map tube so you can frame it at home or spread it our across a table/ fold it up and add it to your map collection.
We print this map here in Stanfords as part of our Print on Demand service. This not only reduces freight costs but it also means we only print what is needed so there is no excess. Printed on high quality 120gsm coated matte paper.
For more of our Print on Demand maps check out this new feature on our website where you can customise certain maps to your requirements: https://www.stanfords.co.uk/maps/custom-maps
London Greenground Map is available now for £24.99
Watch Helen Ilus introduce the London Greenground Map: