Researchers from the London School of Economics (LSE) and Lancaster University have brought Victorian London back to life — in Minecraft.
The project, titled “Charles Booth’s London”, was created in collaboration with Minecraft design studio Blockworks and is based on the famous Poverty Map by social reformer Charles Booth. The original map, which colour-coded London’s streets according to income and class, is kept at the LSE Library. Booth’s groundbreaking work exposed the extent of poverty in 19th-century London and influenced key social reforms, paving the way for the UK’s modern welfare state.
The Minecraft experience begins in a familiar spot for LSE students — the current LSE Library. From there, players are transported back in time to when the same building was known as King’s College Hospital.
Once in the past, players can explore six unique “walks,” each filled with interactive quests that bring Victorian London to life. You might find yourself chasing thieves in Seven Dials Market, clearing out sewers in Bedford Square, shopping in Covent Garden, or even sweeping chimneys— a true 1880s experience. It’s a fascinating way to imagine what your daily walk to university might have looked like 140 years ago.
To make the world historically accurate, 15 professional Minecraft builders and two academics worked together to recreate the city using Booth’s research. They designed over 1,000 custom blocks and textures, drawing inspiration from 2,000 pages of notes recorded by Booth’s assistant, George Duckworth, who meticulously described London’s streets.
Professor Sally Bushell of Lancaster University, who helped lead the project, told the BBC:
“The LSE world build was fascinating because it was so closely connected to the Booth Archive. I really enjoyed reading and mapping the original walks from the notebooks held at LSE — and then bringing them to life.”
In total, the virtual city is built from over 45 million blocks and took two years to complete.
Players will also encounter over 200 interactive characters, including notable historical figures like Beatrice Webb — one of Booth’s early collaborators who later co-founded LSE with her husband, Sidney Webb, in 1895.
Beth Clark, LSE Library’s Associate Director, said in a statement:
“LSE’s motto and founding purpose is about understanding the causes of things for the betterment of society. It’s fitting that we can share such an incredible educational resource while celebrating our 130th anniversary.”
“Charles Booth’s London” turns history into an immersive, playable world — where education, storytelling, and creativity collide. Photo by Pierre Rudloff, Wikimedia commons.
