Bing maps UK is the replacement for Multimap UK, and maintains many of its features. It's not the only map application you should consider, but it's well worth a look. The London Street View is especially detailed, and is a good place to start if you want to see Bing Maps at its best.

Bing Maps UK

In late 2010 Bing Maps UK replaced Multimap UK, Microsoft's previous map product in the UK. It retains many of the features found in Multimap, but presents a very different appearance. It also adds features found in Bing Maps US.

A first look at Bing Maps UK -

Go to the bing.com homepage and click on Maps in the left navigation pane. If you are based in the UK, then a map of the UK should be revealed. The Map menu shows that this is actually a London Street Map, at a low zoom level. If you zoom in, you zoom into a detailed street map of London. 

• Bing maps UK have, no doubt, placed this functionality up-front for their UK users because it shows the application at its best. 

Much of bing map's functionality came from Multimap,  the UK company that was Google Map's main competition in the UK. Multimap, being London based, put a lot of effort and expertise into its London street maps. 

Of especial note is the topographical shading of parks, water features, and buildings. Interesting sites, such as subway stations, museums, hospitals, universities, and theatres, are also shown in stand-out detail at appropriate zoom levels. 

If you click on the Maps menu (headed London Street View, if you have followed our instructions so far) you will see another option is Road. Clicking Road will reduce the Street View to a more basic road map. 

If you return to the London Street View and zoom across many levels, you see maps flickering from raw Road maps to the 'richer' London Street Maps, which originate from the Collins Bartholomew London Street Map.

Although the London Street Map view is interesting, its ubiquity is rather irritating for those not based in London. For instance, if you search for Glasgow you get a road map of Glasgow, but London Street Map is still an option. Even more confusingly, if you select that option you remain in the Glasgow Road View!