Takayo Akiyama and her exquisitely beautiful maps will leave you wide eyed

These incredibly detailed maps are by Japanese illustrator Takayo Akiyama, capturing what is quintessentially British. The map of western England is particularly brilliant, commissioned for luxury brand Alfred Dunhill to mark their historical relationship with manufacturers Fox Mill. Takayo does not hold back on what makes the west country so great (not that I’m biased or anything!) and I love how she replaces humans with animals, especially transforming Queen Victoria into a hamster, and the fox looking over his sheep.

The London Nautical Chart is extremely reminiscent of the age of empire maps and the intricate detail really exhibits Takayo’s talent, especially the cityscape made to look like you are looking at it through a port hole. Woah!