I’d like to share with you one of my favorite blogs: Spitalfields Life. The author posts info about living in Spitalfields in the heart of London; but what makes this blog special is the way the author mixes the history of the area with modern times.

One of this week’s posts is a good example of that past-and-present mix. It features a marvelous map of historic coffee houses by artist Adam Dant, which, combined with text and accompanying photos, provides a thorough history and entertaining tour of London coffee houses.

Map © Adam Dant

Click on the map above to visit the site; and be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page to see some of Adam Dant’s other maps. I particularly love the maps of Clerkenwall, as seen in Tudor, Georgian, Victorian, and modern times.

If you visit the Spitalfields Life home page, you’ll see that the author posts a new entry every day. I read each one for their charm, the history they impart, and the extraordinary stories they tell. I’ve read every one and have high hopes of feeling just like a Spitalfields native before too much longer.

If you love London history and you’re fascinated by the modern London lifestyle, you’ll find something to enjoy at Spitalfields Life.