Fascinating 19th Century London tram map shows Victorian Routes Around Capital

A fascinating new map shows the routes trams took across the capital in Victorian London

The interactive map gives fresh insight into the late 19th century tram network which ceased running completely in 1952.

Experts have mapped the routes used in the Victorian era and revealed stark differences with major routes used in modern London.

A detailed image of the routes, uploaded to sharemap.org, showed that north west London was not well-served by the tram network.

Just a single route linked Marylebone with Wembley and another linked Cricklewood and Edgware.

Hampstead was poorly served by trams as they struggled to make it up steep hills.

Central London also lacked trams, which experts believe was down to the fact those in richer areas relied on private transport.

Hackney Wick had almost no trams as it was once an industrial area.

However, south London appears better connected by the Victorian tram network than the modern day Tube.

Lewisham, Brixton and wealthy Dulwich were all connected by trams – which could be the reason they were not included during the construction of the London Underground, experts at City Metric said.

A tunnel running under the Thames between Blackfriars and Waterloo was the only point linking the north and south sides of the river. 

The southern side is now used by cars and is known as the Strand Underpass.