A new digital map is promising to help Londoners make the most of the good weather.
Sunseekr, a web app developed by architect Mo Dawod, offers real-time mapping of pubs and cafés currently basking in sunlight — ideal for those who believe a pint tastes better in the sun.
Initially conceived as a resource for locating sunny spots outside coffee shops — which it still does — the app has evolved to cater to London’s pub-goers. Drawing on data that tracks the position of the sun throughout the day and the shadows cast by the capital’s architecture, Sunseekr produces an interactive map indicating which venues enjoy direct sunlight at any given moment. Users can search for specific locations, or allow the app to track their location to find an al fresco spot close by.
The interface is straightforward: a constellation of glowing markers reveals pubs with sunlit outdoor seating, letting users plan their route to the warmest corner of the city with a few taps.
Dawod, who developed the tool in response to his own frustration at wandering the city in search of sunny cafés, saw an opportunity to apply architectural insight and urban data in a more joyful, human-centric way.
“It’s finally sunny in London, and like most people, I wanted to enjoy an iced coffee or a pint in the actual sun — not tucked away in the shade,” he wrote on Reddit, unveiling the app. “So I built a web app that shows you cafés and pubs currently in sunlight, using real-time shadow simulation, Mapbox, and open data from OpenStreetMap.
“It simulates how buildings and terrain cast shadows throughout the day, so you can find the sunniest spots around you — and skip the cold corners.”
A mobile app is expected to follow shortly.
To use the map, visit sunseekr.com
