App That Maps Quiet Spaces in London Gains Popularity

Designed for city dwellers seeking calm, the new app identifies tranquil parks, libraries, and low-noise cafes based on live data.

10 June 2025 at 04:52 | By Paula Hanson

A new mobile app is helping Londoners escape the city’s hustle by mapping the capital’s most peaceful and quiet public spaces. Developed by a small team of urban planners and data scientists, the app uses noise sensor data and crowd-sourced input to identify low-noise locations in real-time.

Named ‘HushMap,’ the app highlights quiet parks, underused gardens, serene libraries, and tucked-away cafés where people can unwind. It also provides live updates on ambient sound levels and crowd density.

Users can search for peaceful places by location, activity type, or noise preference. Filters include ‘library quiet,’ ‘nature sounds,’ and ‘low chatter,’ allowing users to tailor their serenity.

“City life can be overwhelming,” said co-creator Sophie Tan. “Our aim was to build a tool that helps people recharge, reflect, or just breathe more easily.”

Beta testers report using HushMap during lunch breaks, to find study spots, or simply to walk and decompress after a stressful day. One user called it “a mindfulness tool disguised as a map.”

The app pulls live noise data from environmental sensors deployed in partnership with borough councils. It also factors in foot traffic from mobile anonymized GPS signals to gauge busyness levels.

Experts in mental health and wellness have praised the initiative. “Environmental calm has direct links to emotional regulation,” noted Dr. Clara Webb, a cognitive therapist based in Southwark.