6 Spots to Find Secret Street Art in London

Where do you find London murals?

Secret street art in London is part of the huge mural art scene. London has a long history of street art and public art installations. The city is home to hundreds of artists who use different mediums and techniques to create their murals, from spray paint to mosaics and more.

Some of the most well-known areas for street art in London include Shoreditch and Brixton. Both areas have become something of a mecca for street art lovers. There, you can find works by graffiti artists in London such as Banksy, Invader, and Stik, as well as up-and-coming local artists.

In recent years, London has also played host to a number of street art festivals, such as the London Mural Festival and the Whitecross Street Party. These events have brought together artists from around the world to create new works in public spaces across the city, helping to keep the street art scene in London fresh and exciting.

London graffiti art doesn’t feel as secretive as it used to be – but that doesn’t mean there still isn’t cool hidden London street art in plain sight! If you’ve got a keen eye for art and are interested in exploring some secret street art in London – we’ve got you covered!

6 Hidden Murals to find in London

1. The Leake Street Tunnel

The Leake Street Tunnel, also known as the “Banksy Tunnel”, is a hidden gem of London’s hidden street art. Located beneath the railway arches near Waterloo station, the tunnel is covered in an ever-changing array of London murals, graffiti, and street art.

The tunnel gained its nickname thanks to the famous street artist Banksy, who curated an exhibition of street art in the tunnel in 2008. Since then, the tunnel has become a popular destination for street art lovers, with artists from around the world coming to paint new works on its walls.

While the Leake Street Tunnel is not the easiest place to find, it is definitely worth a visit for anyone interested in street art. It’s also worth noting that the tunnel is a public space, so visitors should be respectful of the art and the other people in the space.

2. The Fitzrovia Mural

You’ve probably heard of or walked past the Fitzrovia Mural – but the secret is in its history! Created in 1980 by artist Eduardo Paolozzi and Located on the side of a building at the corner of Tottenham Street and Whitfield Street in the Fitzrovia neighborhood of London. The Fitzrovia Mural depicts a colorful collage of images and patterns inspired by the surrounding area.

Paolozzi, who was a leading figure in the British Pop Art movement, spent several months working on the mural, which is made up of over 1800 individual pieces of colored glass and ceramic.

The mural is a vibrant celebration of the area’s history, with images of famous residents and landmarks, as well as nods to the area’s industrial heritage and artistic legacy. The style of the mural is highly eclectic, blending elements of traditional British decorative arts with contemporary Pop Art and abstract design.

Over the years, the Fitzrovia Mural has become a beloved landmark of the neighborhood, and it was even given Grade II listed status in 2010. Despite some wear and tear over the decades, the mural remains a stunning example of hidden graffiti in London and a testament to the creativity and cultural richness of London.

3. The Stockwell Skatepark

If you’re into local London graffiti – we’ve got the spot for you! The Stockwell Skatepark, also known as the Brixton Bowls, is a popular skatepark located in the Stockwell neighborhood of South London. The skatepark was built in the 1970s and is famous for its large, deep bowls and steep banks, which provide challenging and exciting terrain for skateboarders, BMX riders, and rollerbladers.

As with many public spaces in London, graffiti and street art can often be found in and around the Stockwell Skatepark. While some of this graffiti may be illegal, much of it is created with the permission of the park’s users and has become an integral part of the park’s visual identity.

Read: Why is graffiti art illegal?

Many of the pieces incorporate skateboarding and BMX themes, with references to tricks, equipment, and culture.

The graffiti at Stockwell Skatepark is constantly changing. As new artists come and go, the walls and surfaces of the park are constantly being repainted and refreshed, giving visitors a chance to see new and exciting works every time they visit.

4. The Nomadic Community Gardens

The Nomadic Community Gardens is a unique public space located in the Shoreditch neighborhood of London. The site was originally a derelict lot, but in 2015 it was transformed into a vibrant community garden and art space through the efforts of local graffiti artists in London.

The Nomadic Community Gardens features a wide range of street art and graffiti, created by artists from all over the world. The art covers almost every surface of the site, from the walls and fences to the garden beds and even the compost bins.

Many of the art projects at the site are created through partnerships between local residents, artists, and community organizations. This approach has helped to create a sense of ownership and investment among the community, and it has made the site a vibrant hub of creativity and activism in the heart of Shoreditch.

The Nomadic Community Gardens is a prime example of the power of street art and community activism to transform public spaces and bring people together.

5. The Seven Stars Pub Alleyway

You can’t skip this secret street art in London spot. The Seven Stars Pub Alleyway is a narrow passageway located in the Covent Garden neighborhood of London. One of the most striking features of the street art in the Seven Stars Pub Alleyway is its sense of energy and movement. The art seems to flow and swirl across the walls, creating a dynamic and immersive environment for visitors. This sense of motion is enhanced by the narrow, winding nature of the alleyway itself, which creates a feeling of being swept along on a visual journey. 

The street art in the Seven Stars Pub Alleyway is a testament to the power of public art to transform even the most overlooked and forgotten spaces into vibrant and inspiring environments.

6. Banksy’s Designated Graffiti Area

Some of the most beloved secret street art in London was driven by a Banksy project. The Banksy Designated Graffiti Area was a street art project created by the elusive artist Banksy in 2008. The project was located on a wall in the East End neighborhood of London and featured a stenciled sign that read “Designated Graffiti Area” above a blank wall.

The project was a commentary on the increasing commercialization and commodification of street art, as well as a critique of the way that street art is often co-opted and sanitized by mainstream culture.

The Designated Graffiti Area was intended as a space for anyone to come and express themselves freely through graffiti art, without fear of persecution or legal consequences. Banksy encouraged other artists to come and add their own work to the wall, and the space quickly became a vibrant and dynamic hub of street art activity.

Unfortunately, there are only remnants of this area as the project was short-lived. The wall was eventually demolished to make way for a new development.