For many years, Transport for London and its predecessors have been producing guides, such as maps and posters, of attractions to see in London using our services to get to them. From theatres, museums, zoos, and airports, to the Olympic / Paralympic Games in 1948 and 2012, they've all been covered.
Underground map 1937 (1937-01-01)TfL Corporate Archives
Theatre / Cinema Map
Here's a map produced by London Passenger Transport Board in 1937 to show the theatre district in London's west end, and the closest lines to each theatre and cinema. Each one is numbered inside a star
Theatres seen today, the Garrick Theatre (in Leicester Square number 41 on the map above) and the Royal Opera House (Covent Garden, number 42)
Guide to Attractions Served by London Country and Green Line - South Edition (1983-06-15)TfL Corporate Archives
London County Green Line Coaches South Edition Map and Guide
There are many different types of attractions in London, some less obvious than others. This 1983 guide shows many different types, such as zoos, cathedrals and churches, and even country villages, each catering to various interests and visitors
Hop On A Bus Leaflet (1960-03-01) by London Transport ExecutiveTfL Corporate Archives
Pocket Street Map 1960
Guides were made for each mode of transport, not just the Underground. This leaflet is a list of attractions that can be reached by bus, along with their corresponding bus route
Some examples are shown below using Streetview, both of which are shown in the bus map above. Cromwell Road is where some museums are situated, including the Natural History Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Science Museum, which is shown below on the right.
The Natural History Museum on Cromwell Road, where the Science Museum, and Victoria and Albert Museum are also located. A view of inside the Science Museum, (number 56 on the map above)
London Transport's Round London Sightseeing Tour (1981-03-01) by London Transport ExecutiveTfL Corporate Archives
Former Sightseeing Bus Routes
Not only were there standard bus routes, but we have examples sightseeing routes such as this "Round London Sightseeing Tour", advertised in 1979
Visitors London Pocket Guide (1956-06-15) by London Transport ExecutiveTfL Corporate Archives
Visitor's London 1956
As well as Underground and bus, there was Green Line Coaches. All are displayed on this leaflet of attractions accessible by Green Line Coach, Bus, or British Railways. These included the British Museum, St. Paul's Cathedral, Tower of London, and more
Olympic Games London 1948 - How to Get There by London Transport (1948) by London Transport ExecutiveTfL Corporate Archives
Seizing on Opportunity
This visitor's guide was used to advertise places of interest to anyone who was already visiting for the 1948 Olympic Games, including embassies, as well as the usual attractions such as museums and galleries
Underground Map and Some Places of Interest (1947-06-15) by London Passenger Transport BoardTfL Corporate Archives
Public Transport to Sporting Events
Places of interest also include sports grounds, which are shown on this 1947 leaflet and were all served by Underground
New attractions always come along in London and our services have always sought to be the best way to reach them. One example is Heathrow Airport, directly served by tube since 1977 thanks to a dedicated Piccadilly line extension
Diagram of Heathrow Airport Bus and Coach Network (1984-06-15)TfL Corporate Archives
Or Get The Bus!
This map of the attractions on the Central line is an example of modern attractions along the London Underground
Street View showing Serpentine Gallery and St Paul's, accessible by the Central line, as shown in the previous poster
Here's a similar poster advertising the attractions on the Circle line, including the Houses of Parliament, and the Saatchi Gallery
Street view of the Houses of Parliament, Westminster, and the Saatchi Gallery, both accessible via the Circle line, shown in the poster above
A relatively new attraction in London is the London Cable Car, which was launched in 2012, and connects the Royal Victoria Docks (north of the river, on the DLR network) with North Greenwich (South of the river, on the Jubilee line). These 2 points are shown below: North Greenwich, left; and Royal Victoria Docks, right.
North Greenwich (shown left) - Royal Victoria (shown right) The two ends of the London Cable Car
A TfL poster advertising the London Cable Car, which was sponsored by Emirates at the time, connecting North Greenwich and Royal Victoria Docks
Legible London Introduction (2007-11-01) by Transport for LondonTfL Corporate Archives
Legible London Map Totems
TfL also produce physical 3D map totems, known as the "Legible London" system. These signpost people around areas of London with many attractions, allowing the public to be able to easily locate the attractions around them without the need for a pocket map or device
Legible London Prototype on the Ground (2007-11-01) by Transport for LondonTfL Corporate Archives
Legible London Map Totems
The Prototype on the Ground
Legible London Prototype in the West End (2007-11-01) by Transport for LondonTfL Corporate Archives
Legible London Map Totems
The Prototype in the West End
Story compiled by TfL using information in records at the Transport for London Corporate Archives. The Corporate Archives seeks to preserve and make accessible records, not to interpret them. A wider range of material is available for physical consultation.
Permission is granted to reproduce for personal and educational use only.
