I came across a couple of similar projects this week both are mapping areas by collecting the  everyday sounds of particular places.

The UK Sound Map is an ambitious project led by the British Library. Although they are no longer taking new submisssions the map remains as an online archive. There are only a couple of contributions from our area;  one inevitably is the sound of traffic on the North Circular Road!

The second project is still very much alive and gathering new material the London Sound Survey is a fascinating website with a growing collection of sound recordings of places, events and wildlife in the capital. Recordings made locally include the New River at Palmers Green and Wood Green Shopping City. Have a look at the map and simply click on a grid sqaure to hear the ambient sounds of different parts of the capital.

As well as the general sound archive the project is also recording a sound map of London's Waterways - you can hear the sounds of New River and Pymmes Brook by following ...

You can also trace the sounds of wildlife and the background sound of rivers streams and canals across the city ... it's a compelling and fascinating way to waste spend half an hour!

The website also has an excellent collection of Historical Maps of London