The London Horse Map research
For the last 2-3 years (and probably longer, just not as intentional) I have been collecting images and stories about horse related things in London. Having already done the same for cats and then dogs, which have resulted in a London Cat Map and a London Dog Map print and bestselling tea towel, I thought it was time to embark on what I knew would be an epic project – the London Horse Map!
This essentially involves a mixture of serendipitous wandering around London looking out for any horse related things I come across, as well as more targeted research – reading books, website searches and drawing on my own knowledge and asking other people. Anything I find I photograph and then do a drawing of it in biro, my favoured drawing utensil.
I have always loved and had an affinity with all animals, but horses especially and I used to long for one of my own as a child (which never happened sadly!) and draw them continuously (until I went to art college where it was not encouraged).
London is a city filled to the brim with historical stories and artifacts, and horses are so entwined in human history that the two combined result in a hugely rich tapestry of objects and stories to discover and document.
Year of the Horse 2026
I had no specific deadline in mind, and quite frankly I was enjoying the research and discovery process so much I think I just didn’t want to finish! But then I realised at the beginning of 2026 that it was the Chinese lunar calendar Year of the Horse, beginning on 17th February and I thought this was the deadline I needed to get into action and finish it. I had already begun the process of scanning all the drawings I had made and putting it all together, it was just a matter of getting some text together and squeezing it all in.
There are over 100 drawings and I know there are plenty of things missing, but I had to stop somewhere – it is already full to the brim!
A few horse favourites
As well as some of the more obvious items, such as police horses, various mounted equestrian sculptures of ‘important’ figures (all men, I was sad to hear the memorial sculpture of the late queen will no longer be of her mounted on a horse, as it would have been the first mounted equestrian sculpture of a woman in London), and horse guards, I have enjoyed discovering some of the more obscure places and objects. Here are some of my favourites:
The White Horse old pub sign on Poplar high street – the pub no longer exists but the lovely sign still stands quite randomly in the middle of the street.
The Worshipful Company of Saddlers, which I have not as yet been inside, but even just wondering around the outside has some wonderfully ornate symbols and sculptures decorating it.
Sefton’s (horse who survived IRA bomb attack in 1982) hoof in in the Household Calvary Museum.
The London Harness Horse Parade – I have actually been to this a few times, it is no longer in London, but is a wonderful sight of dozens of horse drawn vehicles on display.
Rebellion horse sculpture up high on Middlesex street in Spitalfields. Despite working around this area for many years, I had never noticed this wonderful sculpture by Judy Boyt up high in the sky!
Union Horse with Two Discs by Christopher Le Brun outside the old Museum of London building.
Pegasus emblems all around The Inner Temple.
Scottish Widows symbols around bank.
The Spotted Horse pub sign in Putney
Goodmans Field escaped horses statues on Lehman street.
Escaped Household cavalry horses galloping through London on the cover of what would turn out to be one of the last year of printed issues of the Evening Standard.
And that is just a few!
Purchase the limited edition print now
The final map is now finished and is currently available as a limited edition signed print, as I am not sure it would work on a tea towel as there is so much on there (and I also have to get hundreds printed to make it worthwhile). You can purchase it as an A2 or A1 print – I would say A1 is ideal as there is so much on there. It’s a bit of a squeeze on A2, but I wanted to make it available as a more affordable option, as I can print this size myself. A1 will be printed elsewhere to order so may take longer to arrive. A0 could also be arranged – get in touch to ask about this if you would prefer to go large.
And if you know of any more interesting London horse stories or facts do let me know – they might not make it onto the map, but I am always curious to hear more!
