Personalised Old Map of Waltham Forest

Rediscover the historic heart of north-east London with a personalised old map of the Borough of Waltham Forest. Whether you’re commemorating your own connection to the area or seeking a thoughtful gift for a local resident, this bespoke creation offers a captivating window onto the neighbourhood’s past. The unique blend of cartographic artistry and personalisation makes each map a meaningful centrepiece—perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or simply celebrating the character and history of your home.

Your map will capture the rich tapestry of Waltham Forest as it was between the late Victorian era and the mid-20th century. The map encompasses sites such as Epping Forest, the ancient woodland that inspired generations; Lloyd Park, which has been a cherished green space for decades; the historic Walthamstow Village; the River Lea meandering along the borough’s edge; and the former site of the Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium. These locations are part of the landscape revealed, whether or not their most famous features had yet been constructed.

Fully personalisable, your map can be centred on any address—perhaps your childhood home, a relative’s street, or a meaningful gathering place. Highlight up to five special locations, such as schools, meeting spots, or places of family significance. Customise the title and subtitle to reflect your story, and add a dedication message for a personal touch. Every detail, from the style of the markers to the wording of the dedication, is crafted to your specifications, making each map entirely unique.

Your personalised map could focus on these areas in Borough of Waltham Forest

• Walthamstow
• Leyton
• Leytonstone
• Chingford
• Highams Park
• Upper Walthamstow
• Wood Street
• Blackhorse Road
• Bakers Arms
• Whipps Cross

Each map is reproduced using professional giclée printing techniques on museum-quality, archival-grade paper or premium artist’s canvas for enduring clarity and vibrancy. Choose from a selection of elegant FSC-certified wood frames, protective acrylite glazing, or opt for our striking “float framed” stretched canvas option for a gallery-quality finish. Every map is carefully mounted and finished by hand, ensuring a lasting and impressive presentation.

Our maps are based on authentic Ordnance Survey sheets from the 1870s to the 1960s, renowned for their meticulous detail and timeless aesthetics. These maps were created through painstaking ground surveys and manual engraving, reflecting both the artistry and accuracy of Victorian and early 20th-century cartography. The result is a beautiful record of Waltham Forest as it once was—capturing the essence of the borough’s streets, green spaces, and waterways, and preserving the area’s heritage for generations to come.

Please note you are purchasing a fully customised old map. Modern landmarks, such as your house, may not have been built yet! You can contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

Generally, larger maps look much better than smaller maps, because you can enjoy all of the smaller details. If you need a smaller map, I would suggest ‘zooming in’ so that the map covers a smaller area.

Because these maps are custom made to order, we can make you a map that looks great at at any size, from very small (8x10in/20x25cm) all the way to a few metres. If you are looking for a very large map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this map.

Every map can be personalised or customised, for example if you want to mark your house or street on the map. The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

This personalised map would make a wonderful housewarming, birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, Mother’s Day, wedding anniversary or work leaving gift for someone from Borough of Waltham Forest, or someone who works there.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or on artist’s cotton canvas. Several frame choices are available for free, or custom framing is available for an additional fee. Please get in touch if you’re looking to order a very large map for a hotel or office, or if you’re looking for a size that isn’t available on my shop.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps and art prints are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my size guide first.

Alcune delle mie vecchie mappe sono ora disponibili come tele incorniciate. Per favore contattami se desideri ordinare una dimensione che non è disponibile nel mio negozio.

Le vecchie mappe su tela sono un'alternativa interessante alle mappe incorniciate in modo convenzionale. A seconda del tuo gusto personale e dell'arredamento della stanza, le mappe su tela possono "risaltare" un po' di più rispetto a una mappa incorniciata.

Scopri di più sulle mie mappe su tela incorniciate.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

Se non sei soddisfatto del tuo ordine per qualsiasi motivo, contattami per un rimborso senza problemi. Si prega di consultare la nostra politica di reso e rimborso per ulteriori informazioni.

Sono molto sicuro che ti piacerà la tua mappa restaurata o la stampa d'arte. Lo faccio dal 1984. Sono un venditore Etsy a 5 stelle. Ho venduto decine di migliaia di mappe e stampe d'arte e ho oltre 5.000 recensioni reali a 5 stelle.

Utilizzo un processo unico per restaurare mappe e opere d'arte che richiede molto tempo e lavoro. Trovare le mappe e le illustrazioni originali può richiedere mesi. Utilizzo tecnologia all'avanguardia e incredibilmente costosa per scannerizzare e restaurarle. Di conseguenza, garantisco che le mie mappe e stampe d'arte siano superiori alle altre - ecco perché posso offrire un rimborso senza problemi.

Quasi tutte le mie mappe e stampe d'arte sembrano fantastiche a grandi dimensioni (200 cm, 6,5 piedi+) e posso anche incorniciarle e consegnarle a te, tramite un corriere speciale per oggetti di grandi dimensioni. Contattami per discutere delle tue esigenze specifiche.