Leake Street Arches: the heart of London graffiti

The various murals found at Leake Street Arches in London. (Thrifty Traveller pic)

If you’re ever in London and looking for somewhere different to visit, you should consider visiting the offbeat Leake Street Arches.

True, you might be slightly hesitant about entering a dimly-lit tunnel in South London frequented by spray-painting hooligans in hoodies, but this is a well-established venue on the street art scene.

London’s largest legal graffiti wall is located here but there are rules – one of them reads ‘You don’t have to be a gangster to paint so please don’t behave like one’. (Thrifty Traveller pic)

In fact, it is where graffiti is not only legal but encouraged, even to the extent of holding graffiti tutorials and classes.

If you’re lucky, you might be able to catch a few of these talented artists at work while you’re at Leake Street. (Thrifty Traveller pic)

This tunnel, open 24/7, runs underneath the railway tracks at Waterloo Station and the landlord, London and Continental Railways, describes Leake Street Arches as ‘a celebration of urban art, dining and entertainment’.

Some of the arches leading off the main tunnel have been converted into restaurants and music venues but only a couple of them are open right now, perhaps due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Draughts London, a board game café where you can presumably play Monopoly and other board games here. (Thrifty Traveller pic)

People who are not great fans of graffiti will still appreciate some of the vibrant work found at Leake Street. Some of the street art here shows real talent or humour, while some even display meaningful messages.

It must be a bit annoying for the artist of this puffin mural to have it scribbled over by someone of lesser abilities. (Thrifty Traveller pic)

I suppose an ever-changing graffiti wall symbolises the transient nature of life which sometimes changes for the better and sometimes for the worse.

Leake Street is just a short walk from more conventional tourist attractions like London Eye and the Houses of Parliament. (Thrifty Traveller pic)

All in all, it’s definitely a place one should visit when in London, especially if you’re someone who still believes graffiti art to be pure vandalism. The stunning street art here might just change your mind.

This article first appeared on Thrifty Traveller.

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Leake Street Arches: the heart of London graffiti

The vibrant murals at London’s largest legal graffiti street will alter your perception about street art.