If you walk a lot around in London like me, you get to discover some fabulous street art. London has some fantastic street art! Over the years, this urban canvas has transformed into a gallery, with powerful messages and designs, that capture the essence of modern life. Bansky, the famous street artist and political activist, after all still has murals and exhibits scattered across London.
Street art hunting is a very much sustainable and budget-friendly tourist activity. Here are ten places where you can experience the best street art in London.
Shoreditch (E1 & EC2A)
Shoreditch, the heartbeat of East London’s street art culture, is a must-visit destination for any art enthusiast. This once-industrial area is now filled with mix of large-scale murals, spray-paint art, wheatpaste posters, stickers, and small 3D sculptures that change almost daily. Shoreditch is in fact the best place for London street art. Works of Banksy (Designated Graffiti Area, also known as Guard Dog and His Master’s Voice, the famous street artist’s early pieces are located in the courtyard of the former Cargo nightclub on Rivington Street) and impressive pieces by world-renowned artists like Stik, ROA as well as local artists. Visit Brick Lane, where you’ll find a mix of old and new art, as well as Hanbury Street, Rivington Street, Redchurch Street and Chance Street.
Shoreditch also has a number of fantastic, sponsored murals by brand like Nike and the likes.
Why is it called Shoreditch?
Fun fact: Shoreditch gets its name either from an old local family of landowners or from an ancient drainage ditch.
Camden Town (NW1)
The canal-side walls and the Camden Lock area feature murals, portraits of music legends, and hidden pieces tucked away in the mews.
There were historically multiple Banksy pieces in Camden Town too, but most have been painted over or removed over time unfortunately.
Also Camden High Street has a lot of commercial art works by street wear fashion shops that are really cool.
Where is the Amy Winehouse mural?
The most famous Amy Winehouse mural in London is located in Camden, at 2 Castlehaven Road, London, right by the side and back of her favorite local pub, The Hawley Arms.
Leake Street Tunnel, Waterloo (SE1)
Located under Waterloo Station, this famous (and completely legal) Leake Street Arches tunnel allows artists to paint freely. The artwork changes constantly.
I personally love this place and pop in here often since it’s so close to Waterloo Station, which is where my train comes in when I go to town.
Penge (SE20)
Located in South London, this suburb has transformed into an outdoor gallery with over 200 colorful neighborhood murals.
Brixton (SW9)
Brixton, a melting pot of cultures, is home to some of London’s most powerful street art. Many dates back to golden era of mural art in London, the late 1970s and the 1980s. The murals often celebrate the neighborhood’s rich history and diverse community. Particularly noteworthy is the work of local artist Ritzy Periwinkle, whose pieces often comment on social issues and cultural identity. Lots of fantastic murals in the area surrounding the Brixton Village Market, Pop Brixton, the Duke of Edinburgh Pub and the Stockwell Hall of Fame – all great spots to explore street art as well as Strathleven Road, the murals in Brixton station and Bellefields Road.
What is the most famous street art in Brixton?
It would be the mural of David Bowie near Brixton station by Jimmy C. in Tunstall Road. Second would be Big Splash in Strathleven Road.
Peckham (SE15)
Lots of street art pieces to be found across the area from the likes of Phlegm, RUN, ROA, and from Mr Cenz. The area around the Bussey Building is particularly attractive to street artists. Walk around the area of Rye Lane where community-led projects on legal walls have some high-profile works. The Courtyard Murals also need to be mentioned, located in a secluded brick courtyard in central Peckham where you can find large-scale animal and surrealist works by world-renowned artists. Other locations to check out: Meeting House Lane, Bussey Building & Railway Arches and Peckham Levels.
Notting Hill (W11)
Notting Hill is of course mostly famous for its colorful houses and the annual Notting Hill Carnival. However, it’s also home to some fantastic street art. If you wander around Portobello Road and surrounding streets to discover murals, you’ll find artists celebrating everything from local culture to abstract concepts, with most of them to be found near the Westway and along Portobello Road. Westway has large-scale murals, paste-ups, and graffiti by artists like Fin DAC and Stik and of course we also have a surviving Banskyhere: The Painter, Located at the corner of Acklam Road and Portobello Road. The Graffik Gallery is not to be missed on Portobello Road. It’s a hub of contemporary urban art, featuring a roof-to-pavement mural by Dotmaster, displays works by legends like Banksy and Stik, and hosts hands-on graffiti spraying workshops.
The South Bank (SE1)
The Southbank area is not just a cultural hub with theaters and art galleries; it’s also a vibrant canvas for street art. Along the River Thames, you’ll find a mix of murals reflecting both historical and contemporary themes. (Technically, the Leake Street Tunnel would also belong here, but it’s an entirely different project, so I listed it separately.) Lots of fresh graffiti art work to be spotted at the Southbank Skate Park, check out the mosaics which are mostly inspired by William Blake’s pictures and writings and were created by a number of local artists.
And then, there’s the equally haunting but beautiful National Covid Memorial Wall, which is classed as street art, the iconic 500m long wall of hearts, one for each person who has died in the UK with Covid-19 on their death certificate as a cause of death:
My personal favourite is of course the large Paddington Bear mural (painted by my Peruvian friend, Gisella Stapleton:
Walthamstow (E17)
Home to the famous 90’s boyband, Walthamstow is quickly becoming one of London’s hotspot areas for street art. The Walthamstow Garden Party and various community events have helped local artists to create murals that cover walls throughout the area. A highlight is the renowned “Walthamstow Lollipop,” a colorful installation that has become a symbol of the neighborhood, then there’s Fanakapan’s 3D balloons in The Mall carpark. Another famous project is Walthamstow street art trail, a project by Wood Street Walls.
Hackney (E1)
Hackney is known for its arts scene, and its streets are no exception. Explore areas like Hackney Central where you’ll find pieces that challenge social norms and celebrate diversity. The annual Hackney Street Art Festival has put the neighborhood on the map for art lovers. The area spans from Hackney Wick to Shoreditch (which is mentioned as the most prominent street art location above, so E1 has got a lot to offer for street art lovers!) The top locations to check out are Hackney Wick, Fish Island, Hackney Central and Dalston and you can find artworks by popular street artists like Stik, Frankie Strand and Sweet Toof. Don’t miss the Lord Napier pub. Not only the pub building is covered entirely in art, but the inside of the pub is covered in graffiti and art as well.
