London & Greenwich Illustrated Map by Anna Simmons

This map combines maritime history with a retro-inspired style, blending hand lettering and detailed research to bring London and Greenwich’s heritage sites to life.

Ahoy Greenwich! Where do I even start when there is so much to say? Greenwich has history, art, palaces, parks and let’s not forget the Prime Meridian... all packed into one heritage site. It’s a must-see stop on any tourist trip to the capital while a unique destination in its own right. It sits outside the centre yet boasts world famous views of the London skyline. It's ancient, it's modern, and it's forever tied to the very concept of time itself.

A Visual Tapestry

With a subject like this - where there’s an entire historical-tapestry’s worth of stories to share- the simplest and most engaging storytelling approach is always a visual one.

When you need to explain a nuance, for instance, that in Greenwich there are red buses… but also red deer, illustration can show it in an instant.

A playful visual snippet from the London & Greenwich illustrated map, where the red deer and red bus quietly tell part of the local story.

And when people see a beautiful illustration, or follow a line of lettering which has been crafted, they feel a connection.

In collaboration with Royal Museums Greenwich, I created the London & Greenwich Illustrated Map by Anna Simmons for a maritime-themed collection to showcase London's and Greenwich's rich heritage sites. This project aimed to provide visitors with location-specific souvenirs, allowing them to take home a piece of Greenwich's charm.

Additionally, I hand lettered the words ‘London and Greenwich by Anna Simmons,’ which was designed to be a key element across the packaging and merchandise. I drew on vintage lettering styles and research to bring a sense of heritage, while keeping the look fresh and lively.

Using warm heritage lettering and complementary colour, I aimed to create a bold and timeless look that celebrates the maritime theme while standing out on packaging.

A Blend of Old and New

This project was a dream fit for my illustrative approach which explores styles old and new. I worked a blend of visual nostalgia in a mix-and-match style to create engaging illustrations that resonate with diverse audiences. I wanted to capture the timeless charm of the place while infusing it with a contemporary twist.

Close-up: Big Ben and St Paul’s Cathedral with the Changing of the Guard

A detailed section highlighting London’s iconic architecture

The Joy of Research

And as a lover of all things historical and Maritime, this was a dream for me to research! My explorations into architectural motifs and historical lettering styles underlining the stand out tourist attractions.

Designed for versatility, the range was adapted for various merchandise formats. The clean style, bold marks, and rich textures ensure that the imagery maintains its hand-drawn, human quirkiness across different applications, from large items to small.

Let’s Collaborate!

If the London & Greenwich illustrated map caught your eye and you’re interested in creating a project that combines detailed hand-drawn maps with custom hand lettering, I’d love to hear from you. You can also see more of my work applied to merchandise on this service page.