Map of Boroughs of London: All 32 Areas at a Glance

London is one of the world’s great cities, but its geography can be genuinely confusing for first-time visitors. Unlike many capitals built around a simple centre, London is a patchwork of 32 distinct boroughs. Each has its own character, history, and identity. Whether you are planning a trip or trying to decide which hotel to book, the aim is to understand where you are going with clarity. A clear map of London boroughs is essential.

This guide provides a comprehensive map of London’s boroughs. Thus, the guide explains how the city is structured. Because we are Heathrow Airport Cabs, it shows how to travel from Heathrow to every corner of the capital.

What Is a London Borough?

A London borough is an administrative division of Greater London. Each borough has its own council, which is responsible for local services such as schools, waste collection, housing, and local planning. Think of a borough as a district with its own local government, similar to a county in other parts of England.

For travellers, understanding boroughs matters because they help you locate where you are staying. Travel guides describe hotels, restaurants and attractions by their borough. When someone says “I’m staying in Westminster” or “My hotel is in Kensington”, they are referring to the borough, not the neighbourhood.

Map of Boroughs of London

How Many Boroughs Are There in London?

There are 32 London boroughs, plus the City of London, which is a separate, historic entity with its own unique status. The City of London is not technically a borough; it is a distinct ceremonial county and local government district with ancient rights and privileges dating back centuries.

Greater London reorganised in 1965, creating the 32 boroughs. Authorities divide the boroughs into two groups.

  • Inner London (12 boroughs plus the City of London)
  • Outer London (20 boroughs)

This division is important because it affects everything from transport pricing to how the city is described in official statistics.

Map of London Boroughs: The Complete Picture

To understand London’s layout, picture a rough circle around the River Thames. The river winds through the city from west to east, and the boroughs are arranged around it like segments of a pie.

Here is a quick reference table showing all 32 boroughs and their general location:

Borough Location Key Areas Within
Barking and Dagenham East Barking, Dagenham
Barnet North Finchley, Hendon
Bexley South-East Bexleyheath, Erith
Brent North-West Wembley, Kilburn
Bromley South-East Bromley, Orpington
Camden North-Central Camden Town, Hampstead
Croydon South Croydon, Coulsdon
Ealing West Ealing, Acton
Enfield North Enfield, Edmonton
Greenwich South-East Greenwich, Woolwich
Hackney East-Central Hackney, Shoreditch
Hammersmith and Fulham West-Central Hammersmith, Fulham
Haringey North Tottenham, Wood Green
Harrow North-West Harrow, Pinner
Havering East Romford, Hornchurch
Hillingdon West Uxbridge, Hayes
Hounslow West Hounslow, Chiswick
Islington North-Central Islington, Angel
Kensington and Chelsea West-Central Kensington, Chelsea
Kingston upon Thames South-West Kingston, Surbiton
Lambeth South-Central Brixton, Waterloo
Lewisham South-East Lewisham, Catford
Merton South-West Wimbledon, Mitcham
Newham East Stratford, East Ham
Redbridge East Ilford, Wanstead
Richmond upon Thames South-West Richmond, Twickenham
Southwark South-Central Southwark, Bermondsey
Sutton South Sutton, Carshalton
Tower Hamlets East-Central Canary Wharf, Bethnal Green
Waltham Forest East Walthamstow, Leyton
Wandsworth South-West Wandsworth, Battersea
Westminster West-Central Westminster, Soho

 

Map of Areas of Central London: The Inner Boroughs

When visitors talk about “Central London“, they are usually referring to a loose area that covers parts of several inner boroughs. If you are looking at a map of areas of central London, you will find that the following boroughs make up the core:

These nine boroughs, plus the City of London, form the heart of the capital. Most tourist attractions, major hotels, and business districts sit within this central zone.

Map of London Boroughs and Towns: Understanding the Outer Boroughs

The outer boroughs are where most Londoners actually live. If you are looking at a map of London boroughs and towns, you will notice that the outer boroughs often contain towns that predate London’s expansion. Places like Croydon, Kingston, Romford, and Uxbridge were once independent market towns before being absorbed into Greater London.

This matters for travellers because your hotel might be listed as being in a town or neighbourhood rather than a borough. For example:

Understanding this relationship between towns and boroughs helps you read maps, understand transport connections, and communicate with taxi drivers.

Map of London Boroughs and Tube Stations: How to Get Around

The London Underground, commonly called the Tube, is the fastest way to move around the city. If you are studying a map of London boroughs and tube stations, you will see that the network covers the inner boroughs extensively, with spurs reaching into the outer boroughs.

Key connections from Heathrow include the following:

  • Piccadilly Line – Runs directly from Heathrow through central London, serving stations in Westminster, Camden, Islington, and Hackney before reaching the east
  • Elizabeth Line – Connects Heathrow to Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, and Canary Wharf
  • Heathrow Express – Fastest rail option, reaching Paddington in about 15 minutes

Every borough has at least some rail or Tube access, though the outer boroughs generally have fewer stations and longer journey times.

Which Borough Is Heathrow Airport In?

Heathrow Airport is in the London Borough of Hillingdon, in the far west of Greater London. The airport straddles the boundary between Hillingdon and the borough of Hounslow, with the terminals themselves sitting within Hillingdon.

This is useful to know because it explains why Heathrow is often described as being “outside” London. The airport is technically within Greater London, but it sits at the western edge, roughly 14 miles from central London.

How Long Does It Take to Get from Heathrow to Each Borough?

Journey times from Heathrow vary significantly depending on which borough you are heading to and the time of day. Here is a rough guide based on typical car transfer times in normal traffic:

Borough Typical Car Transfer Time
Hillingdon 10-15 minutes
Hounslow 15-20 minutes
Ealing 20-30 minutes
Brent 25-35 minutes
Hammersmith and Fulham 25-35 minutes
Kensington and Chelsea 30-40 minutes
Westminster 35-45 minutes
Camden 40-50 minutes
Islington 45-55 minutes
Lambeth 40-50 minutes
Southwark 45-55 minutes
Tower Hamlets 50-60 minutes
Hackney 50-60 minutes
Wandsworth 30-40 minutes
Richmond upon Thames 25-35 minutes
Kingston upon Thames 30-40 minutes
Merton 35-45 minutes
Croydon 45-60 minutes
Sutton 45-60 minutes
Bromley 55-70 minutes
Greenwich 55-70 minutes
Lewisham 55-70 minutes
Bexley 60-75 minutes
Newham 55-70 minutes
Redbridge 55-70 minutes
Waltham Forest 60-75 minutes
Barking and Dagenham 65-80 minutes
Havering 70-85 minutes
Enfield 60-75 minutes
Barnet 50-65 minutes
Harrow 30-40 minutes

These times are estimates. Traffic, roadworks, and time of day can all affect your journey significantly.

Map of Districts of London: Neighbourhoods Within Boroughs

If you are looking at a map of districts of London, you will quickly realise that boroughs are large areas that contain many distinct neighbourhoods. Each borough has its own character, and within a single borough you can find wealthy residential streets, bustling commercial centres, and quiet green spaces.

For example, the borough of Camden contains the following:

  • Camden Town – Famous for its market and music venues
  • Hampstead – An affluent area with Hampstead Heath
  • Kentish Town – A lively residential district
  • King’s Cross – A major transport hub and redeveloped area

Understanding districts helps you be more precise when booking a taxi or giving directions. Telling your driver you are going to “Camden” could mean anywhere in a borough that covers several square miles. Being specific about the district, street, or landmark makes your journey smoother.

Heathrow Airport Transfers to Every London Borough

At Heathrow Airport Cabs, we provide private airport transfers from Heathrow to every London borough. Whether you are staying in a central hotel in Westminster, visiting family in Barnet, or heading to a business meeting in Canary Wharf, we can take you there directly.

Our service includes:

  • Meet-and-greet – Your driver waits for you in the arrivals hall with a name board
  • Flight monitoring – We track your flight so we know if it is delayed
  • Fixed pricing – No surprise charges, regardless of traffic
  • Door-to-door service –

    Map of Districts of London: Neighbourhoods Within Boroughs

    If you are looking at a map of districts of London, you will quickly realise that boroughs are large areas that contain many distinct neighbourhoods. Each borough has its own character, and within a single borough you can find wealthy residential streets, bustling commercial centres, and quiet green spaces.

    For example, the borough of Camden contains the following:

    • Camden Town – Famous for its market and music venues
    • Hampstead – An affluent area with Hampstead Heath
    • Kentish Town – A lively residential district
    • King’s Cross – A major transport hub and redeveloped area

    Understanding districts helps you be more precise when booking a taxi or giving directions. Telling your driver you are going to “Camden” could mean anywhere in a borough that covers several square miles. Being specific about the district, street, or landmark makes your journey smoother.

    Heathrow Airport Transfers to Every London Borough

    At Heathrow Airport Cabs, we provide private airport transfers from Heathrow to every London borough. Whether you are staying in a central hotel in Westminster, visiting family in Barnet, or heading to a business meeting in Canary Wharf, we can take you there directly.

    Our service includes:

    • Meet-and-greet – Your driver waits for you in the arrivals hall with a name board
    • Flight monitoring – We track your flight so we know if it is delayed
    • Fixed pricing – No surprise charges, regardless of traffic
    • Door-to-door service – We drop you at your exact destination
    • 24/7 availability – Early-morning and late-night transfers available
    • Child seats – Available on request
    • Wheelchair-accessible vehicles – Available on request

    Unlike public transport, which often requires multiple changes and walking with luggage, a private transfer takes you directly from the airport terminal to your accommodation. This is particularly valuable if you are travelling to an outer borough where public transport connections can involve several changes.

    drop you at your exact destination

  • 24/7 availability – Early-morning and late-night transfers available
  • Child seats – Available on request
  • Wheelchair-accessible vehicles – Available on request

Unlike public transport, which often requires multiple changes and walking with luggage, a private transfer takes you directly from the airport terminal to your accommodation. This is particularly valuable if you are travelling to an outer borough where public transport connections can involve several changes.

How to Book a Heathrow Airport Taxi

Booking a transfer with Heathrow Airport Cabs is straightforward:

  1. Call us on +44 20 3355 8186 to speak with our booking team
  2. Provide your flight details, pickup time, and destination
  3. Receive a fixed price quote
  4. Confirm your booking
  5. Your driver meets you at arrivals with a name-board

You can also book in advance online or by phone. We recommend booking at least 24 hours before your flight, though we can often accommodate last-minute requests.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many boroughs are in London?

There are 32 London boroughs plus the City of London, which is a separate entity with its own unique status.

What is the difference between Inner and Outer London?

Inner London consists of 12 boroughs plus the City of London, covering the central and immediately surrounding areas. Outer London consists of 20 boroughs that form the outer ring of Greater London.

Is Heathrow in a London borough?

Yes, Heathrow Airport is in the London Borough of Hillingdon, in the west of Greater London.

Which borough is Central London in?

Central London is not a single borough. It spans parts of Westminster, Camden, Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Southwark, Lambeth, and Kensington and Chelsea.

How do I get from Heathrow to my hotel in London?

You can take the Piccadilly Line, Elizabeth Line, Heathrow Express, or a private taxi transfer. A taxi is the most direct option and takes you door-to-door.

How much does a Heathrow taxi cost?

Prices vary depending on your destination and vehicle choice. Call +44 20 3355 8186 for a fixed quote to your specific address.

Which borough is Canary Wharf in?

Canary Wharf is in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

Which borough is Wembley Stadium in?

Wembley Stadium is in the London Borough of Brent.

Book Your Heathrow Transfer Today

Understanding London’s boroughs makes navigating the city far easier. Whether you are staying in the heart of Westminster or heading to an outer borough, knowing where you are going helps you plan your journey.

For a stress-free transfer from Heathrow to any London borough, call Heathrow Airport Cabs on +44 20 3355 8186. Our professional drivers know London inside out and will get you to your destination safely and on time.