Learning London geography

If it makes you feel any better, I have a pretty good sense of direction and memory for places and I still went through three AZs in my first two years living in London. I did get out a lot though.

scoffs

I'm still on my 1993 edition Nicholson Streetfinder. Ha!

I do have a small A to Z handy for visitors, though.

I'm not to sure if TfL are still doing them but the free cycling maps are a great boon though, they're light, foldable and, most importantly, free.

Another excellent LCC initiative. These maps go back to the early 90s and were finally published on a much bigger scale when TfL was formed. Millions have been handed out.

As well as Oliver's A road suggestion, learn where the boroughs lie. A lot of road signs will direct you to the next borough and seeing a sign pointing to a borough you don't need to pass through is handy for realising a one way system has spat you out in the wrong direction.

Ha, I've never noticed many signs pointing to boroughs. Are you sure that they don't only point to the borough by accident through pointing to the London Borough's name-giving London Metropolitan Borough?

Landmarking works well as there is often enough places, shops, road names, objects that will catch your attention and can remind you that you're near a turn.

That will certainly work for some people, depending on learning style. Many people can't read maps well at all, let alone remember visual information. One reason why the London Cycle Guides are so successful is because they reduce the amount of information cyclists have to take in by recommending fewer options. (Plus, of course, you get a pretty good map for free.)