Explore the vibrant street art of Brick Lane with a DIY map-guided journey, absolutely free!
Exploring Brick Lane's Vibrant Street Art Scene
Brick Lane, a bustling hub in London's East End, is renowned for its colorful graffiti, rich history, and vibrant culture. This iconic street offers a unique open-air art gallery, showcasing a variety of artistic expressions that transform its walls into a living canvas.
Navigating the Artistic Journey
The best time to embark on this walking tour is either on a Sunday or a weekday evening. Many shops have artwork painted onto their shutters, which can only be seen when the shops are closed and the shutters are down. The tour recommends several guided tours with local experts for more insights, such as the Street Art and Graffiti Guided Walking Tour, East End Street Art Tour, Spray Painting Workshop, Half-Day Street Art Tour and Workshop, and East End London Instagrammable Street Art and Graffiti Tour.
Discovering the Street Art
Graffiti isn't just about scrawled nicknames tagged on the side of buildings. This tour suggests looking out for murals, stencils, stickers, posters, paste-ups, mosaics and tiles, and 3D art on walls. Don't miss the small, brightly painted broccoli sculptures attached to buildings, made by Adrian Boswell, aka Broccoli Man.
Notable Pieces
The two most famous pieces are the Space Invader tiles (by artist Invader) at the entrance to Back Yard market and just after the entrance to the Truman Brewery complex. On the other side of Bethnal Green Road, there are usually a few murals, including a "legal wall" used for commissioned street art. Just after the Quaker St/Buxton St junction, a railway bridge over the Overground tracks, is usually covered with various tags and a few fun murals.
Exploring the Side Streets
Past the bridge, turn left into Cheshire Street and then take the first left into Grimsby Street, where you'll find some awesome large-scale murals. At the back of Grimsby St is a large mural by Hackney-born artist Stik, known for his iconic black and white stickmen. On your right, just before the bridge, is a small alleyway leading to Brick Lane Station Park, nicknamed Graffiti Alley, usually home to some great large-scale graffiti.
Starting the Tour
The walking tour begins at the bottom of Brick Lane, at the corner of Wentworth Street, and suggests heading up Brick Lane until you reach Fashion Street, taking a left onto Fashion Street, and then heading up towards Hanbury Street to reach the next stops. This self-guided Brick Lane street art walking tour is a way to discover the vibrant East London neighborhood.
Meeting the Artists
Brick Lane’s street art scene is dominated by established East End icons like Stik, D*Face, Phlegm, and Roid, alongside collective efforts such as Graffiti Life. These artists contribute prominently to Brick Lane’s reputation as the most famous graffiti alley in the UK and remain active within the London street art scene.
Food for Thought
While exploring the art scene, don't miss the justifiably famous Beigel Bake, considered by many to be the best bagels in London, particularly for their salt beef bagels.
Getting There
The best underground stations to start from are Aldgate or Aldgate East, both of which exit onto Whitechapel High Street.
This vibrant area is a must-visit for anyone interested in street art, offering a constantly evolving visual feast that is both engaging and contemporary. Enjoy your exploration of Brick Lane!
- The vibrant culture of Brick Lane encompasses not only its colorful graffiti but also its thriving food and drink scene, including the renowned Beigel Bake known for its delicious salt beef bagels.
- For a more comprehensive understanding of the street art, consider joining guided tours like the Street Art and Graffiti Guided Walking Tour, offering insights from local experts.
- As you navigate the art-filled streets, take notice of various art forms such as murals, stencils, stickers, posters, paste-ups, mosaics, and 3D art, and don't forget to spot the iconic Space Invader tiles and the large-scale murals in Cheshire Street and Grimsby Street.
- For those interested in exploring the fashion and beauty scene of Brick Lane, the area is home to numerous shops and boutiques that showcase unique and trendy items, making it a must-visit destination for both art lovers and fashion enthusiasts.
