Street Art in Brick Lane, London: A Self-Guided Walking Tour

Discover London’s alternative art scene with this guide to street art in Brick Lane

Perhaps you are visiting London and have been dazzled by the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, wowed by the British Museum’s vast collection and have paid your respects to the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Where next?

Why not venture east to Brick Lane and see a very different side of the city and one of London’s highlights?

But Brick Lane wasn’t always the visitor magnet it is nowadays.

An ex-colleague who lived in the area when he first moved to London tells of evading muggers on its rubbish-strewn, rodent-riddled streets. Twenty-odd years later, it is booming with chic cafes, curry houses, vintage clothes shops and cutting-edge art galleries.

Brick Lane is also the epicentre of street art in London.

Building walls, hoardings, doors and shop shutters form the canvas for frequently-changing artworks. These creations assume many forms, from massive murals to small paintings to stickers and posters.

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Exploring Street Art in Brick Lane: A Self-Guided Walking Tour

As East London is so rich in street art, it can be difficult to know where to start.

This Brick Lane walking tour, which focuses on streets that are artistic hotspots, should take you around two hours. Exactly how much time you spend depends on how much exploring you decide to do and if you stop in one of the area’s many cafes.

It starts at Old Street station and finishes at Aldgate East station. For help with getting around London, head to the Transport for London website.

Where is the Best Street Art in Brick Lane? A Walking Tour Map

As the artworks are ever-changing, don’t expect to find all of the art featured here when you visit. Hoardings are torn down, artists come and artists go.

But part of the fun is making exciting new finds.

Rivington Street

From Old Street station, take exit 2 and walk a few minutes along Old Street, towards Shoreditch. Then turn left into Rivington Street.

Although there is plenty of street art to admire along Rivington Street, the star turn is a Banksy just inside the Cargo beer garden.

Sclater Street

When you reach the end of Rivington Street, turn right onto Shoreditch High Street and continue along this main road until you reach Bethnal Green Road. Here you turn left and then bear right into Sclater Street.

Pass by the cool Rebel Alliance Motorcycle Company, and take in the artwork until you reach Brick Lane.

Take a slight detour by turning left into Brick Lane to reach the 24-hour bagel shops at this end of the street. These are a testament to the once-thriving Jewish community who arrived here in the late 19th Century.

Make sure you pick up a freshly made filled bagel.  At £2 for a smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel, it is likely to be the cheapest lunch you will have in London.

Grimsby Street

Munching on your fresh bagel, walk back along Brick Lane for three or four minutes and then turn left into Grimsby Street. Continue along this street, admiring the art as you walk, until it you reach Cheshire Street. Then turn left to head back to Brick Lane.

Hanbury Street

Continue along Brick Lane until you reach Hanbury Street on your left. Once associated with the murders of Jack the Ripper, this is now one of the top spots for street art in Brick Lane.

The well-known large Pelican mural by ROA has been there since 2010. If you are ready for a cup of coffee by this stage, I recommend The Canvas Cafe on this street

Princelet Street

Heading back onto Brick Lane, Princelet Street is your next street on the left. Take a look down here for further artwork.

Seven Stars Car Park

When you are finished in Princelet Street, continue along Brick Lane and you will reach an alleyway on your right-hand side that will take you into the Star Yard car park. This is one of the top locations for street art in Brick Lane, attracting the very best artists and with a high turnover of content.

Fashion Street

Retracing your steps, continue along Brick Lane until you reach Fashion Street on your right-hand side.

Once home to some of London’s worst slums, this road connects Brick Lane and Commercial Street. Nowadays, it is home to vibrant street art.

You have now reached the end of your Brick Lane street art walking tour. At the end of Fashion Street, turn left and continue along Commercial Street until you reach Aldgate East station.

Guided Brick Lane Street Art Tours

Although I did my own thing, guided Brick Lane street art tours are available and are, reportedly, excellent.

The advantage of going on an organised Brick Lane street art walking tour is the insight that the guide can provide. This can make the difference between viewing a vibrant piece of art and learning more about what the artwork means.

>>> BOOK YOUR LONDON EAST END STREET ART TOUR HERE

Discover Your Own Brick Lane Street Art

Finally, don’t be afraid to go off-piste.

These places and pieces of art that I have mentioned aren’t the only kids on the block. Dive down some of the surrounding streets and keep your eyes peeled for hidden gems.