Visiting the William Smith Map

Visiting "The Map that Changed the World"

Please note that our copy of the William Smith map is currently on loan to Tate Britain to form part of a show by Patrick Keiller  until the end of October 2012.

The Geological Society's display copy of William Smith's 1815 geological map of England, Wales and Scotland, as described in Simon Winchester's book 'The Map that Changed the World', is available for viewing at Burlington House – as is the map by the Society's first President, George Greenough (picture). Both maps have been restored, re-framed and re-hung since Simon Winchester wrote 'The Map that Changed the World', and they now hang side by side at the foot of the east staircase of the Society's apartments.


Read the FAQs about the "Map that Changed the World".

Handsome accommodation guide

If you are visiting the building and would like to find out more about the history of the Geological Society, you can now purchase a completely revised and updated second edition of ‘Handsome accommodation: A guide to the Geological Society of London apartments’. Featuring full colour photographs, as well as a detailed history of the Society and its most famous Fellows, the booklet is the perfect souvenir of your visit and is on sale at reception for £3.50.