Guide to street art in London

We can't talk about street art in London without mentioning Leake Street Arches. This covered tunnel street near Waterloo station is the city's longest graffiti wall and new pieces spring up every day. Leaving your mark here is welcomed and encouraged. Every bit of space is full of vibrant art and there's a street-artist-in-residence programme.

Shoreditch was named as the best area in Europe for street art in 2023. If you're aiming to see some of London's most dynamic urban art, this is a place you can't miss. The street art Shoreditch has ranges from murals covering entire buildings to small-scale works and street art icons like 'Let's Adore and Endure Each Other'. You can see work here by top names like Thierry Noir and Stik.

One of the best-loved street art pieces in Shoreditch is 'Let's Adore and Endure Each Other' in Great Eastern Street. This often-photographed work was painted in 2010 by Steve Powers. It's easily visible, easy to find thanks to its location near Shoreditch High Street overground, and carries a message that resonates with many people. 

Dulwich Outdoor Gallery reimagines works by the Old Masters into contemporary street art pieces. This collection of art in South London includes work by names like Stik, Phlegm, Roa, and Pure Evil. The works are set across several areas and there are maps to help you find them all. Guided walks also take place throughout the year.

Tasty Indian food isn't the only thing Brick Lane is known for. It's also an ideal destination if you're out to spot some street art. Simply wander along and you'll see plenty of pieces in the surrounding streets, from small-scale work by emerging artists to big urban art names like Phlegm and local artist Stik. You'll find impressive art around here without even trying.

Explore the street art of East London on a guided tour with Alternative London. Either on foot or bike, a local artist or street art expert will guide you round the area showing you the most exciting art. You can also join a street art workshop where you'll make your own stencil and add it to Alternative London's walls.

Originally Stockwell Hall of Fame was a basketball court built in the 1950s. It's evolved into a vibrant legal space for graffiti and street art, with new pieces springing up regularly on its Brutalist walls. It's become a legendary spot that artists travel to from around the world. Other events like live music performances sometimes take place here too.

Irony and Boe's mural known as 'The Poplar Chihuahua' occupies the side of a block of flats in East London. This massive chihuahua comes with a dose of humour but also comments on gentrification, an important issue for many in the area. This work has been a huge hit with the local community and has come to symbolise the area.

Camden Town in North London is recognised as one of the city's street art hotspots. Hawley Mews and Buck Street are particularly good locations for spotting street art but you'll also see pieces around Camden High Street. As a bonus, many buildings in the high street feature vibrant murals and exterior decor. Around here you'll also see numerous street art tributes to local resident Amy Winehouse.

Prince of Peckham may be a buzzing pub but it's also a street art hotspot. On the outside of the building you'll see impressive murals by Mr Cenz that were specially commissioned for the site. The portrait on the side of the building was nominated as one of the world's best murals in 2022.

Just off Brick Lane in Princelet Street you can see 'Couple Holding Hands' by local artist Stik, painted in his distinctive bold style. Against a bright background it shows a couple holding hands, one wearing a niqab. This popular piece was once voted the 17th best-loved piece of art in the UK, and that's not just limited to street art.

Music icon David Bowie lived in Brixton as a child and the area is now home to a mural depicting him, only a short distance from the tube station. Although it was painted in 2013, since his death it has become a permanent shrine in memory of him. This is a popular piece of London street art.

In Deptford High Street you can spot a quirky piece of street art, 'His and Hers'. This playful mural was painted by Patricio Forrester and was commissioned for the 2002 Deptford X festival. It transforms an end wall with a painted pearl necklace and tie around the chimneys, adding even more colour and character to the area.

Walthamstow is another top destination in East London if you want to see urban art. Lots of murals can be found around here, with their creation aided by local arts organisations. You'll discover plenty of murals around Walthamstow Central station including works by notable street artists like Irony and Boe or Mr Penfold.

Check out Graffik Gallery in Portobello Road for exhibitions that focus on street art. Here you can see work by huge names in urban art such as Dotmaster, Stik, and Pegasus, plus it shows some Banksy art. What's more, this gallery hosts graffiti workshops including family-friendly experiences and events for corporate groups. They're designed to be fun and creative.

In Dalston you can see the mural commemorating the 1983 Hackney Peace Carnival. It was painted in 1985 after the death of the original designer. It's a vibrant addition to the local area and includes lots of portraits. Recognition of this mural grew when it appeared on the cover of Rudimental's album 'Home'.

There's loads of street art to spot in Hackney Wick. It's pretty easy to find interesting pieces too – as soon as you exit Hackney Wick station you'll start to see vibrant art on the walls. There are a huge variety of murals and smaller pieces around here. One local sight worth checking out is The Lord Napier pub, which is covered with art on the outside.

Stand outside 124 Whitecross Street and you'll see an elegant botanical mural that brings luscious florals to a London street. Painted by Sophie Mess in 2022 as part of Whitecross Street Party, it attracts attention for its rich colours and delicate look. It was voted as one of the best murals in the world in 2022.

Parkland Walk is best known as a nature reserve and walking trail running along disused railway tracks between Finsbury Park and Ally Pally. Wander along the route and you'll come upon a graffiti tunnel where street artists are often at work adding extra vibrancy to the setting. You can also see the famous statue of The Spriggan along here.

Pure Evil is a massive name on the street art scene and you can see his work, along with that of other street artists, at Pure Evil Gallery. The artist's studio is also located here. This place has a relaxed vibe and strong principles around supporting independent artists. Prints and originals, plus framing, are available at this artist-run space.

Head to 70 Holywell Lane in Shoreditch to see a colourful mural by legendary French street artist Thierry Noir. Noir is known as the first artist to paint on the Berlin Wall. In Holywell Lane you can see a colourful piece in his distinctive style. Further down the road there's other street art to check out too.

At the corner of Buxton Street and Brick Lane you'll see a vibrant section of wall laden with posters and stickers. This patch has become one of London's most popular spots for paste-up street art. What's on the wall is constantly changing. As well as the paste-up pieces there's the odd bit of graffiti too plus plenty of other art nearby.

Award-winning tour operator Shoreditch Street Art Tours specialises in guiding guests around urban art hotspots in East London. Tours by day or by night are on offer, as well as bespoke street art photography workshops. An expert will show you around some of the top sites for Shoreditch graffiti and street art, where names like Banksy and Blek Le Rat have added to the walls.

See street art in Hackney Wick and enjoy a drink too at the Lord Napier Star pub. The building was derelict and heavily graffitied for many years but now it's a thriving drinking spot and the vibrant art outside attracts lots of admirers. Its ever-evolving exterior has made it an iconic part of the local area.

Head to Shoreditch to view the outside of the multi-storey NCP car park. Every level is covered in rich colours and bold art by Helch, a prolific street artist whose true identity remains a mystery. The scale and height of the work makes it easy to spot and turns an ordinary structure into an intriguing sight.

In a roomy establishment adorned with eclectic second-hand decor, Arte e Pasta offers a genuine taste of Italy, emphasising communal dining. Guests can indulge in a variety of small plates and more substantial pasta dishes, but Arte e Pasta isn't just a culinary destination. It also serves as a gallery for Wood Street Walls, an organisation dedicated to promoting and facilitating street art.