Frequently Asked Questions

1. How have you defined Whitechapel’s boundaries?

The main basis for defining the study area is the historic parish of Whitechapel. This has been modified in small ways, to the west to follow the present-day Tower Hamlets–City of London boundary, to the north-east to take in the former Albion Brewery/Blind Beggar/Sainsbury’s site up to Cambridge Heath Road, and to the south-east to take in the whole of the London Hospital Estate south to Commercial Road. We are aware that some further territories might be considered by some to be in Whitechapel. We do welcome contributions on those places, even though our map is not interactive on a building-specific basis outside our boundary beyond which the Survey of London is not itself adding material. Please click on the larger shapes on the margins of the map.

2. I would like to contribute something, but I don’t know where to put it on the map?

If you can’t find a suitable place for your submission, contact the team at solwhitechapel.bartlett@ucl.ac.uk and they’ll be able to advise you.

3. Why am I unable to contribute information about streets?

We have made a few major streets interactive, as, for example, where there are markets, but are keen so far as possible to anchor contributions to specific sites. If you would like to submit something general about another street please do so in relation to one of its buildings and we will fix the material to the most appropriate location.

4. Will the Survey of London publish a book about Whitechapel?

Yes, volume 54 in the Survey’s main parish series will be dedicated to Whitechapel and will be published following the research phase that is represented by this website.

5. How can I find an old street or place which has changed its name?

You can use the historic map layers on the map to cross-reference historic street and place names with their contemporary equivalents.