Inset town plans on large-scale maps of Great Britain

Abstract

Although widely known, the inset town plans which appeared on large-scale maps of Great Britain have never been systematically listed and analysed. Inset town plans are discussed in terms of their design and content, and the rare process of revision is illuminated. Particular attention is focussed on the sources of plans and patterns of occurrence and authorship are identified. From this detailed analysis, a picture of their strengths and weaknesses for the urban historian is developed.