Where is the best place to see street art in London? Here you’ll find everything you need to know about the artists, locations, and hottest areas for graffiti and street art in London.
So, what's in store
Everything worth knowing about London’s rich graffiti culture. Where did it come from? Who are the artists worth looking out for? What’s the difference between graffiti and street art? And where should you go to see stunning street art? I even prepared an online map of the hottest spots for graffiti and street art in London, which I’ll be happy to share with you. Just send me a request via the contact page, and the map will be on its way to you.
What is graffiti, and where did it all begin
So, you probably all know that drawings on walls aren’t anything new. For thousands of years, humans have used drawings to tell stories. You might be surprised to hear that the oldest wall paintings ever found are more than 50,000 years old! Yes, that’s not a typo. In 2024, Australian and Indonesian researchers found a 51,200-year-old cave painting. What does it depict? Three people and one pig in what looks like a hunting scene. Is this modern graffiti? Not exactly. So, what is graffiti, and how does it differ from those ancient cave paintings?
The word "graffiti" comes from the Greek word "graphia," which means "to describe something," and the Italian word "graffito," which means "to carve or scratch." By the way, ancient graffiti can be seen in the ruins of Pompeii, in modern-day Italy, which was buried when the nearby volcano erupted.
But the graffiti culture, as we see today in London and around the world, began in 1967 in Philadelphia, USA. Kids and teens would jump over the fences of train stations and spray-paint the carriages. They did it to unleash their artistic impulses, as a prank, and to show off to their friends that they could "tag" (write their nicknames on walls and public places) in hard-to-reach spots. Slowly, the phenomenon grew, and when the trend hit New York in the late '60s, it exploded.
Soon, the culture crossed the ocean and reached Europe, and of course, England. Here, alongside the rise of punk rock, the "Punk Graffiti" movement was born. This graffiti style was fuelled by the rebellious culture of punk rock music and was characterized by writing slogans, band names, and protest calls in public spaces using stencils or freehand.
Over the years, the paintings became more complex and impressive. So much so that many modern graffiti artists, like Fanakapan, Stik, Banksy, and Keith Haring, now feature in prestigious galleries (like the Saatchi Gallery and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London) and fetch astronomical prices at auctions (Banksy’s "Girl with Balloon" sold for more than £18 million).
Are graffiti and street art the same thing
Well, yes and no. It depends on who you ask. The definition of graffiti is "illegal writing or drawing on a public surface." Street art is any art you find, well, on the street, and is there legally. So if a mural isn’t legal, technically, it’s graffiti. If it’s legal, it’s street art. Does this distinction matter to us as observers? Not really. What matters is that London is packed with stunning street art.
Where are the best places for street art in London
SHOREDITCH
Shoreditch, especially Brick Lane, is the heart of London’s street art scene. From the "free walls" in Allen Gardens and Grey Eagle Street to the hidden Seven Stars parking lot, wherever you look, you’ll find works by artists from around the world. Don’t miss Ely Yard at the Old Truman Brewery.
LEAKE STREET
The graffiti tunnel beneath Waterloo Station is another example of a free wall. The tunnel offers a platform for any artist to come and create. The artworks change at a dizzying pace, making it a great spot to see artists at work live. From beginners to veterans, you’ll find it all here, including the '21MINUTES' art competition organized by artist Nathan Bowen.
HACKNEY WICK
As gentrification expands the city eastward towards Shoreditch, artists are being pushed further out to places like Hackney Wick. The area’s trendy vibe contributes, and a small stroll around the old brewery or train station will reveal a huge amount of stunning graffiti.
CAMDEN
Camden used to be the hottest spot for street art, but gentrification in the area has significantly reduced the places where artists can operate. However, don’t let that confuse you. Camden is still full of graffiti. Places like Ferdinand Estate, Hawley Mews, and Hawley Street will give you a glimpse of the area’s cultural impact.
BRIXTON
Brixton, in south London, is affectionately known as "Little Jamaica." Right outside the underground station, you’ll find Jimmy C’s painting of David Bowie, and from there, it only gets better. The streets around the station are a hotbed for graffiti artists.
PENGE
A less touristy and lesser known area of London but a paradise for street art hunters, is Penge. This is a southern suburb where you can find stunning artwork on almost every corner. It's especially recommended to visit the Blenheim parking lot next to Penge High Street, which has been transformed into a "street art gallery" featuring works from artists worldwide.
Who are the most famous street artists in London
This is a really complicated question, but here are just a few artists worth keeping an eye out for:
Banksy – The who’s who of modern graffiti. His stencil works make headlines whenever they appear.
Stik – His stick-figure people are scattered throughout the city, but my favourite is on Grimsby Street.
Jim Vision – A pioneer of street art and a founder of ENDOFTHELINE, an organization that collaborates with local councils to open legal spaces for painting.
Dreph – An artist with a strong social commitment. His works often depict figures from the local community and his daily life.
Thisone – His mission is to bring nature back to the city by painting animals and plants in his signature black-and-white style.
David Speed – His neon artworks can be found all over the city.
Jimmy C – An Australian artist who paints using dots of colour. Some of his most famous works include David Bowie in Brixton and Anne Frank in Berlin.
Mr. Cenz – Started as a DJ, and today you can see the musical influence in all his works.
Otto Schade (OSCH) – The Chilean artist known for his unique style, where his paintings appear to be created from a single long ribbon.
Vane MG – A Colombian artist who tends to incorporate fun elements, like heart-shaped eyes, into her paintings.
A final tip
Street art is an inseparable part of London, just like the royal family, the many museums, and endless tourist sites. Street art has helped shape the London we know today. So when you’re wandering around the city, always remember to look in all directions because you never know where you might find a piece that leaves you speechless. And if you’d like to hear explanations and stories about the artworks, join me for a graffiti and street art tour in Shoreditch, London’s most colourful neighbourhood.