Google Street View: top tips

See famous places
Using Street View, you can explore parts of the world you’ve always wanted to visit – see famous buildings, amazing architecture, bustling cities. Or maybe you could revisit a place that means a lot to you, such as your honeymoon destination or where you grew up. Seeing New York or Paris in Street View is a truly wonderful experience.

Take a global tour
Street View lets you study the geography, architecture, vegetation and landscape of different parts of the world. It makes an exciting change from your local area, which you see every single day. If you’re a teacher, why not use Street View to help you plan a virtual field trip? It would be a brilliant way to capture the attention of your pupils before you go.

See your holiday accommodation
Booked your holiday accommodation but still a bit nervous about exactly where it is? Then use Street View to see how close it is to the swimming pool, local shops, public transportation and the beach. You can also check that there isn't a massive high-rise building blocking your view.

Show off your local area
Give your friends a tour of your local neighbourhood, from the local pub to the nearest park. Show them where you go for coffee and where you walk the dog. Who knows - they might like it so much that they'll decide to move nearby!

Remember great places
Street View will help you remember the name of a fantastic restaurant or shop that you’ve forgotten. If you know which road it’s on, just take a walk down it using Street View and you should find it. The driving directions in Google Maps, with Street View images of intersections and landmarks, will help you get there.

Arrange to meet people
You can use Street View to show people where you want to meet – in a park, maybe, or outside the launderette. It will eradicate any confusion about the precise location. Street View will also help you establish the most enjoyable route for bike trips and walks, so you can plan a pleasant stroll by the canal, avoiding the gasworks or noisy factories.

Get property information
Not sure if you want to buy a house in a particular area? It's such a big decision that you have to get it right. Well, you can have a virtual walk-through of the area using Street View, seeing what similar properties are like and how near you are to roads, parks, bus stops and shops. You can check that there isn't a noisy scrapyard just down the road.

Make the most of a sunny day
Don't want to be stuck indoors when the sun is shining? Well, Street View won't give you an instant tan, but you can use it to find a lovely nearby park that has picnic tables, or an outside swimming pool within walking distance. But make sure you also check if there are any shops selling suntan lotion, water and insect repellent.

Check school location
You can take a virtual tour of the preferred school for your children using Street View. See if it's near any busy roads. Check to see if your children can walk home, or will have to get the bus. Help them plan a safe journey home - take the virtual tour with them so they feel secure. It's another life-changing decision with which Street View can help you.

Plan a day trip
Visiting a city for the first time and not sure where to go? Take a virtual wander around the streets using Street View, identifying the best shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs. Also discover how near the train and bus station is to the high-street.