MOST people use Google Maps to plan a future journey but did you know the website can also take you back in time?

On the desktop version of Google Street View you can use a timer tool in the top left corner to see what a place looked like years earlier.

London's famous Portobello Road Market in 2019

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London’s famous Portobello Road Market in 2019Credit: Google Maps
This was it looking less colourful in 2008

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This was it looking less colourful in 2008Credit: Google Maps

London Portobello Road

London’s famous Portobello Road Market is a great example of how a place can visibly change on Street View.

The market attracts plenty of tourists and locals every weekend.

The last time the Google Maps teams visited was in 2019.

You can use Street View to view the road as far back as 2008 and you’ll notice some big differences.

Back in 2008 there was a Woolworths on the street and no market or Union Jack banners.

London Bridge

London Bridge before The Shard

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London Bridge before The ShardCredit: Google Maps
London Bridge with the Shard in 2019

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London Bridge with the Shard in 2019Credit: Google Maps

London Bridge is another great example because you can see the central location with and without The Shard.

The UK’s tallest building was built in 2009 but Street View can take you back to what London Bridge looked like in 2008.

New York

A Street View of New York from 2011 shows a Kardashian billboard

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A Street View of New York from 2011 shows a Kardashian billboardCredit: Google Maps
Skip to July 2021 and Red Lobster is still there but all the billboards have changed

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Skip to July 2021 and Red Lobster is still there but all the billboards have changedCredit: Google Maps

Anywhere near New York’s Times Square is fun to use the tool because the billboards noticeably change.

Back in June 2011 the Kardashian’s were being advertised.

Fast forward to today and the famous reality TV series ended earlier this year.

Chicago

Chicago in 2009

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Chicago in 2009Credit: Google Maps
Chicago in 2021

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Chicago in 2021Credit: Google Maps

A Google Street View trip to Chicago Riverwalk can show you how skyscrapers have been built there over the years.

Street View can take you from 2021 to 2009, when there were a few less buildings near the river.

Manchester, Salford

MediaCityUK in 2021

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MediaCityUK in 2021
The Salford site back in 2008

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The Salford site back in 2008

A trip down to Salford on Google Street View can show you Media City and what it looked like before it was built.

MediaCityUK is based on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal and is home to some ITV and BBC offices.

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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk

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