Enjoying street art at the graffiti tunnel at Leake Street Arches in London.
What a beautiful tunnel…
The smell of fresh paint, colourful artwork, and some familiar faces on the murals…
Leake Street Arches is well worth visiting!
Heading to London soon and want to visit somewhere fun and edgy?
This travel blog is for you, as I detail what you can expect from the famous Leake Street Arches under Waterloo Station.
Once derelict and unused, the London graffiti tunnel has now been transformed into an urban art space, with ever changing artwork.
It is a great spot for artists to express themselves, and is also home to some fun pubs, so if you want a beer and some quirky art, then you know where to come!
Every time you visit, there will be a whole new set of artistic masterpieces!
An iconic mural.
Disclosure: I sometimes use affiliate marketing. This will not cost you anything, but helps with my travel costs. I only recommend companies I use myself.
What are Leake Street Arches? A brief history.
Leake Street Arches is an open-air urban art gallery!
The famous tunnel, which is referred to as ‘graffiti tunnel’ is located underneath Waterloo Station, and has developed into a unique creative space for local and international artists.
With ever-changing displays of street art, Leake Street can be visited often, while still feeling fun and fresh.
In the past, the tunnel served as a service route for Waterloo Station, but after being stood down, it was then abandoned and left derelict.
But then Banksy came along!
A colourful tunnel.
The world famous artist who has iconic museums around the world visited the abandoned railway tunnel in 2008, when he hosted the first ‘Cans Festival’.
The Cans Festival invited graffiti artists from around the world to contribute their work, creating a vibrant, collaborative art installation.
Banksy's initiative legitimised the space for street art and established it as a haven for creativity and expression. Ever since then, Leake Street has become known as the "Graffiti Tunnel," a dynamic area where the artwork is constantly changing as new artists paint over older pieces.
Anyone is allowed to create art in the tunnel, so if you have some spray paint and a vision, then go ahead!
A thought-provoking piece of art.
The graffiti and street art at Leake Street Arches often tackle a wide range of themes, including war, politics, social justice, and consumerism.
I found several of the pieces of art to be very thought-provoking!
The mural above, which is a play on the Mars bar logo, with "Wars" replacing "Mars" is a prime example of how the artists use humour, wordplay, and recognisable brand images to convey serious messages.
I deciphered that this piece likely critiques war and the commercialisation of conflict.
Entering the tunnel.
I found the impermanence of the artwork to be fascinating, as they are regularly replaced with equally impressive murals.
The culture of Leake Street Arches is built around the continuous replacement of artwork, which is a defining characteristic of the space.
The open-access art culture means there is always a steady flow of new artists, each eager to leave their mark on the graffiti tunnel.
A street artist at work.
The art brightens up the tunnel.
How to get to Leake Street Arches?
Leake Street Arches is conveniently located beneath Waterloo Station, making it easily accessible by various modes of transport. Here’s how to find your way:
From Waterloo Station:
York Road: Exit the station on York Road and head towards the roundabout. You'll find the entrance to Leake Street Arches just a short walk away.
Waterloo Station Approach Road: From the main concourse, follow the signs towards the taxi rank or Waterloo Road. The tunnel is clearly marked and well within walking distance.
Lower Marsh: Head towards the Lower Marsh area and you'll find one of the entrances to the graffiti tunnel nearby.
From Lambeth or Westminster:
Westminster Bridge Roundabout: If you're walking from the Westminster area, cross Westminster Bridge and follow the signs towards York Road. The tunnel is just a few minutes away from the roundabout.
Westminster Bridge Road: Continue along Westminster Bridge Road, and you’ll find an entrance near the road's intersection with Lower Marsh.
The London Eye is only a 5 minute walk away.
One of the entrances to the tunnel.
By tube.
The nearest tube stations are Waterloo and Lambeth North underground stations which are five minute walk away. You can use Northern, Jubilee or Bakerloo lines to Waterloo or use the Bakerloo line to Lambeth North.
By train.
The graffiti tunnel is also a five minute walk from both Waterloo Station and Waterloo East Station.
By bus.
These bus routes operate 24 hours a day - 12, 53, 148, 159, 341, 453.
The tunnel appears in the distance as you walk round the corner.
Exploring the awesome street art murals in the graffiti tunnel.
I loved exploring the art in the tunnel and spent around 30 minutes wandering up and down.
The place had a lovely vibe during the day when I visited, with many people enjoying the talent showcased, and we got lucky that we saw several artists at work.
My favourite work was by the artist ‘Slae.One’.
When I visited, he had several murals through the tunnel, which he had tagged, including an iconic ‘Joker’ mural.
On his official Instagram you can see many of the famous murals which he has added to Leake Street Arches.
Have you visited the graffiti tunnel or seen incredible street art elsewhere? I’d love to hear your recommendations in the comments below!
I love street art.
It is my favourite thing to do in new destinations.
Some ever-changing art.
The street art at Leake Street Arches is in a constant state of evolution, so no two visits are the same!
As an open-access space where anyone can create, the tunnel’s walls are repainted daily, offering visitors an ever-changing gallery of creativity.
This dynamic nature makes every visit unique, as murals seen one day may be replaced by entirely new creations the next.
Taking some photographs of your favourite murals is recommended!
Artists adding some fresh work.
I got speaking to the artist pictured above, and he was telling me that respect is a big factor when it comes to the art of the tunnel.
Highly popular murals can remain untouched for a considerable amount of time, to allow more visitors to appreciate the work.
When the artists create, they do know that their creations may be short-lived though.
This contributes towards the artists constantly improving their work!
A newer mural.
On average, the murals at Leake Street can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, with exceptions for particularly iconic pieces.
By embracing this cycle of creation and replacement, Leake Street Arches remains a vibrant and relevant hub for street art in London
No corner is left untouched.
What else can you do at Leake Street Arches?
With Leake Street being located fairly central, there are always plenty of visitors, which the area caters for.
Themed nightlife.
Draughts.
A unique board games cafe, with delicious food and drink to keep you entertained for a few hours.
There are hundreds of board games, which adds a unique perspective to your evening at Leake Street.
You should keep an eye out for their special events, such as trivia nights and tournaments!
An awesome American bar.
Passyunk Avenue.
An awesome American sports bar, with quirky decor, a large menu selection, and all round fun vibes!
The staff so welcoming and friendly, and the food portions are well worth the prices.
There are tables outside the bar, so you can enjoy a beer while experiencing the social evening vibes inside the tunnel.
Enjoying beer and art.
Graffiti workshops.
If you want to try your hand at creating some beautiful art in the tunnel, then there are official workshops available to book.
The residence artist will take you on an experience that includes painting your vision, with step-by-step guidance, along with all the necessary equipment. With small groups of 15 maximum, the talented artists will ensure that you will received all the guidance needed.
This is an awesome activity for the whole family!
Frequently asked questions about the graffiti tunnel.
Here are some frequently asked questions answered for you before you visit the graffiti tunnel.
Can anyone paint in the graffiti tunnel?
Graffiti and street art are permitted, and actively encouraged for anyone on the walls of the Leake Street Tunnel. You should bring your own equipment, and clean up after yourself.
How long do murals in the tunnel last?
Most of the murals last between a few days to a few weeks before being painted over by new artists. Some particularly popular mural may remain untouched for longer, but all artwork is considered temporary.
My favourite artwork.
How long is needed to explore?
For a quick browse, 10 minutes is enough time.
If you grab a beer and spend a bit more time amongst the atmosphere, then one hour is a good length of time to stay.
Is it safe in the tunnel?
The area is safe, and for most of the day, packed with plenty of tourists.
I felt 100% safe and comfortable.
Can you take photos or videos in the tunnel?
Yes, photography and videography is encouraged, as most murals will only be temporary.
The tunnel looking bright.
When to visit the graffiti tunnel?
Leake Street is open to the public 24/7, however, you can have completely different experiences depending on when you visit.
Early morning or weekdays - the tunnel to yourselves.
An ideal time to wander around with no crowds, and it is much easier to capture some photos.
Late morning until afternoon - watch artists in action.
Many street artists work on their pieces at this time, so it is an awesome time to visit, as you can see the creative process in action, and witness the high level artistic skills.
Evenings or weekends - a better atmosphere.
The themed bars and restaurants are busy in the evenings, and many of the visitors will spend more time exploring, creating a more lively atmosphere in the tunnel.
A really bright piece.
Some of my other favourite street art destinations.
As I mentioned above, finding street art is one of my favourite things to do when travelling. Here are three of my favourite spots for street art:
This quirky street in the German capital is similar to Leake Street in terms of vibes, however, there is more emphasis on the history of the city.
There are Otto Weidt and Anne Frank Museums in the alley for visitors to learn about their fascinating stories.
Street art in Mostar in Bosnia.
Street art is used in the charming town of Mostar to showcase a bright future for the Bosnian people, after some terrible history in recent decades. I saw buildings with bullet holes right next to the bright murals.
You should head to ‘Alekse Šantića Street’.
A dedicated graffiti zone in the Costa Rican capital.
Most popular destinations in Costa Rica have beautiful nature, or the Ocean, however, San Jose has its own draw for visitors.
The City of Colours Murals region of the capital is a whole area dedicated to street art.
There is a mix of local and international talent on display, and many murals showcase political ideas, beautiful nature, or happy designs, embodying the pura vida lifestyle in Costa Rica.
Disclosure: I sometimes use affiliate marketing. This will not cost you anything, but helps with my travel costs. I only recommend companies I use myself.