KS3 > Geography

Kings and Queens > Whitehall and Downing Street

LESSON
PLAN

5

consolidate and extend their knowledge of the world’s major countries and their physical and human features. They should understand how geographical processes interact to create distinctive human and physical landscapes that change over time. In doing so, they should become aware of increasingly complex geographical systems in the world around them. They should develop greater competence in using geographical knowledge, approaches and concepts [such as models and theories] and geographical skills in analysing and interpreting different data sources. In this way pupils will continue to enrich their locational knowledge and spatial and environmental understanding.

Compare the extensive layout of Whitehall Palace (see map below) at its peak in 1680 to today’s street plan and satellite images. Can you find Downing Street, the home of the British Prime Minister since about 1732 by merging a modern street map and the map of 1680. Downing Street is not named but can be found near The Street.

The overlay on the satellite image shows how large the area of the Palace was. You can tell by looking at the scale in the bottom left of the image. Why does the edge of the River Thames not line up with the current bank? Find out what is there now?

The Banqueting House is the only surviving building from Whitehall Palace. There is a black dot on the 1680 map. Find out what happened to Charles I here in 1649? Use an Ordnance Survey map to give the OS grid reference for the Banqueting House so someone can find its precise location.