Shoreditch & Brick Lane Street Art
About Shoreditch & Brick Lane Street Art
London's best-known street art district. Large murals, paste-ups and small pieces cover the side streets around Brick Lane and Shoreditch High Street.
History
Cheap warehouse studios drew artists to Shoreditch in the 1990s, and the area's walls soon filled with graffiti and stencil work.
Today many walls are commissioned and repainted regularly, so the district works like a free outdoor gallery that changes from month to month.
What to Expect
Wander the side streets rather than sticking to Brick Lane itself, and look up as well as along. Murals are painted over often, so what you see will differ from photos online. A guided walking tour is the easiest way to find the best pieces and hear about the artists.
Known For
Highlights
- Hanbury Street and Fashion Street murals
- Rivington Street and Great Eastern Street
- Painted shop shutters on Brick Lane on Sunday mornings
- Old Spitalfields and Brick Lane markets nearby
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is the best street art in Shoreditch?
- Hanbury Street, Fashion Street, Rivington Street, Grimsby Street and the roads around Brick Lane usually have the biggest murals.
- Are there street art tours in Shoreditch?
- Yes. Several companies run guided street art walks, usually lasting about two hours. Book ahead at weekends.
- When is the best time to see Brick Lane street art?
- Sunday mornings are good because the market is on, and early weekday mornings are quietest for photos.
More London Street Art & Graffiti
Leake Street Arches
A 300-metre tunnel beneath Waterloo station where graffiti is legal. Every wall is covered in spray paint, and the pieces change almost daily.
Hackney Wick Street Art
A former industrial area beside the canal and the Olympic Park. It is known for large graffiti on warehouse walls, artist studios and canalside bars.
Southbank Centre Undercroft
A covered concrete space under the Southbank Centre on the Thames. It has been used by skateboarders since the 1970s and is covered in graffiti.