Interesting Places

As Stranger Things returns for its final season we're diving into the real-world geography behind the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. Using vintage maps from our Atlas & I archive, we explore the Midwestern landscapes that may have inspired the show's setting!

Created just twelve years before the Gunpowder Plot, John Norden’s 1593 map of Westminster offers a remarkable glimpse into Tudor London, a world of marshes, manor houses and winding lanes that Guy Fawkes himself would soon walk. Hand-drawn long before satellites or drones, it captures the very heart of the city on the brink of history.

Our walk along Spain’s incredible Caminito del Rey was an unforgettable mix of history, adventure, and breathtaking scenery. Once known as one of the world’s most dangerous paths, this cliffside walkway near El Chorro has been beautifully restored. Guided by Visit & Do Andalucia, we explored 7km of spectacular gorge views before returning home to study our vintage Spanish maps - tracing where The King’s Little Path first began.

We’ve uncovered some of the UK’s scariest place names hidden in our vintage map archives. From Devil’s Dyke to Old Corpse Road, these eerie-sounding spots reveal centuries of folklore, dark history, and chilling tales that make Britain’s landscape perfect for Halloween.

Tucked along Catalonia’s sunlit coast, Sant Antoni captured our hearts with its coastal walks, hidden coves, and golden beaches. Inspired by our time there, and a sailboat we spotted drifting across the bay, we created a new Atlas & I print from our vintage map archive to capture the beauty and calm of this stunning corner of Spain.

Our long weekend in Munich was filled with culture, history and Bavarian charm, from wandering the English Garden with a stein and bratwurst in hand to climbing St Peter’s Tower for panoramic city views. We explored the lively Viktualienmarkt, the fascinating Deutsches Museum, and the moving Dachau Memorial. Back home, we uncovered vintage Munich maps from 1888 and 1725, incredible reminders of how much this city has changed and endured through time.

Our recent trip to Berlin was a true walk through history, from the grandeur of the Brandenburg Gate and the striking Holocaust Memorial to the remains of the Berlin Wall and the eerie WWII bunkers beneath the city. Between hearty German food, local beer, and miles of exploring with a map in hand, we uncovered stories both above and below ground. Back home, we discovered a 1905 vintage map of Berlin in our archive, a fascinating glimpse into a city that has transformed so much since it was first drawn.

From Lover in Wiltshire to the Isle of Ewe in Scotland, Britain is full of places whose names sound straight out of a love story. Join Atlas & I as we explore Britain’s most romantic place names, from peaceful Welsh villages to historic Scottish ruins, and uncover the heartfelt tales and beautiful landscapes that make these spots so special.