Street Art and East London Walking Guide 2026

East London is the creative heart of the city, and its streets are an ever-changing open-air gallery. Shoreditch and Brick Lane are at the centre of this scene, with murals, paste-ups, and installations by internationally famous artists alongside talented unknowns. The art changes constantly, so every visit reveals something new. Banksy left some of his earliest work here, and the tradition of using walls as canvases goes back decades.

Start at Old Street station or Shoreditch High Street station. Rivington Street and Great Eastern Street are lined with murals. The alleyway behind Cargo nightclub is a constantly rotating canvas. Holywell Lane has some of the area's most photographed pieces. Look for works by ROA (giant animal murals), Stik (stick-figure characters), and Ben Eine (colourful lettering). The beauty of Shoreditch is that art is everywhere: on shutters, walls, bins, and even electrical boxes.

Brick Lane has been a hub for immigrant communities for centuries, and that multicultural energy feeds into its art scene. The famous Truman Brewery complex has large-scale murals on its exterior walls. Hanbury Street and the surrounding alleys are packed with paste-ups and smaller pieces. While you are here, grab a beigel (the correct East London spelling) from Beigel Bake (open 24 hours) or explore the vintage shops and curry houses.

For more street art, venture to Hackney Wick, a former industrial area by the Olympic Park that has become one of London's most creative neighbourhoods. Canal-side warehouses are covered in murals, and the area is home to dozens of artist studios, galleries, and craft breweries. Further afield, Leake Street Tunnel near Waterloo station is a legal graffiti tunnel where artists work openly. The tunnel changes weekly and is always worth a visit.

A guided tour is the best way to understand the stories behind the art. Local guides know which pieces are by famous artists, explain the techniques and materials used, and share the social and political context. Tours typically last 2 hours and cover Shoreditch and Brick Lane. Some include a visit to a working artist's studio.

Here is a suggested 2-hour walking route:

1. Start at Shoreditch High Street station
2. Walk down Shoreditch High Street to Rivington Street (turn left)
3. Continue to Great Eastern Street and Holywell Lane
4. Head south to Brick Lane via Club Row
5. Walk down Brick Lane, stopping at the Truman Brewery
6. Turn into Hanbury Street and the surrounding alleys
7. End at Spitalfields Market for lunch

Total distance: about 2 miles. Wear comfortable shoes and keep your phone charged for photos. The best lighting for photography is in the morning.

East London is one of the best areas in London for food and drink. Brick Lane is famous for its curry houses. Spitalfields Market has a great mix of street food stalls. Boxpark Shoreditch is a shipping container food court with global cuisines. For coffee, try Allpress Espresso, Ozone, or the Watch House. For craft beer, the area has some of London's best microbreweries including Pressure Drop and Beavertown.

See our London food guide for more recommendations, or browse all London tours for more bookable experiences.