People keep saying that street art in the UK, especially in London, isn’t what it used to be. That it’s more controlled, less wild, and somehow… tamer.
Well, yes. That could be true, and also not. Things are just different now. Sometimes more official, sometimes hidden, sometimes fighting against CCTV and redevelopment. But still present. Still creative. Still worth chasing.
Sometimes finding something goooood requires a bit more patience and curiosity, but the satisfaction is still high.
Over the years, I’ve visited England many times (London alone more times than I can count), and every trip gave me something new – a mural, a sticker, an unexpected paste-up, or just that simple joy of wandering around.
So here it is – my list of 5 UK cities where exploring street art was (almost) pure fun.
Table of Contents
Street Art UK: London
Of course, It’s an obvious choice but London still has much to offer.
Yes, London is expensive. Bloody expensive, actually. Sometimes painfully so. But at the same time, so many things happen there that sooner or later you just say: ‘screw it, I can earn money, but THIS might be a once-in-a-life experience’. By that, I mean a piece ton the street, an exhibition, a gig. Add whatever suits you to the list.
I’ve been visiting London regularly since 2010. The city has changed A LOT since my first visit. Not always for the better. Some legendary spots disappeared, others became more polished than raw.
But still – there’s plenty to enjoy if you know where to look.
Where to Look for Street Art in London
Here are a few neighbourhoods and places that never disappointed me:
Street Art in London: Penge
Exploring this area was so fun! Creative, slightly chaotic, and full of surprises. Great mix of murals and independent art pieces.
Street Art in London: Walthamstow
Not the first place people think about which is exactly why it’s worth visiting.
Street Art in London: Shoreditch (still!)
Yes, it’s more polished now and more commercial. But still – it’s Shoreditch. And ignoring it would be a mistake. Even today, you’ll find murals, paste-ups, and plenty of new works appearing regularly.
Street Art in London: Dulwich (Outdoor Gallery)
Something completely different from the classic street art hunt but very worth seeing. It’s an open-air gallery where contemporary street artists reinterpret classical artworks from the nearby gallery collection. A brilliant mix of old and new.
I liked it so much that I wrote about it on my blog:
Street Art in London: Looking for Banksy pieces
Take a bus or underground and explore all over London while looking for Banksy pieces. It’s an ideal way to see more than one area. Almost like a real tourist, not a street art hunter. ^^”
Blogs About Street Art in London Worth Your Time
These helped me more than once:
Street Art UK: Manchester
Manchester was one of those cities that surprised me in the best possible way.
I went there just for a weekend, but it was enough to get completely hooked. The centre isn’t huge, so you can see a lot just by walking. No complicated planning needed.
Most of my time I spent in Northern Quarter, and if you visit Manchester for street art – that’s where you should start. This area is packed with murals, paste-ups and stickers. Some streets feel like open-air galleries, but the real fun starts when you look into side alleys.
A few spots: Tib Street / Lever Street / Port Street / Newton Street / Faraday Street
If you want detailed streets, photos and more tips, I wrote a full guide here:
Street Art UK: Brighton
Brighton is one of the easiest street art trips you can do from London.
Close, easy to reach, and once you arrive – it immediately feels different. Seaside energy, a bit messy, very alive.
I didn’t spend a lot of time planning there. Honestly, Brighton feels like a place where planning is almost unnecessary. You just walk and things start appearing.
What I liked most was how unpolished some areas still feel. Not curated. Not controlled. Just walls being used the way they should be.
If you’re there, just hang around: North Laine / Bond Street / Trafalgar Lane / Kensington Street area
And if you’re bored in London… Brighton is always a good idea.
Street Art UK: Portsmouth
Portsmouth was a bit of a mixed experience for me. Mostly because the weather couldn’t decide what it wanted to be. One moment it was hot, the next windy enough to make walking between spots slightly annoying.
Anyway, the most important thing to know before visiting Portsmouth – things are quite spread out here.
This isn’t a city where everything sits in one compact area like in Manchester. Distances between murals are bigger, so it’s really worth checking what you want to see in advance and planning at least a rough route.
But once you reach the right walls, it’s gonna be all right.
One of my favourite discoveries there was My Dog Sighs, an artist I first came across in Portsmouth.
And the biggest impression? The London Police mural, just impossible to ignore!
Street Art UK: Bristol
If there’s one city in the UK that truly lives and breathes street art – it’s Bristol.
Most of my time I spent between Bedminster and Stokes Croft, and both areas felt completely different, but equally worth exploring.
Bedminster felt like an open-air gallery. Large-scale murals, colourful walls, and that feeling that art is celebrated here. No surprise, considering this is where the famous Upfest takes place.
Stokes Croft, on the other hand, felt more raw and slightly chaotic. More layers, more graffiti energy, more unexpected discoveries. The kind of place where looking into side streets really pays off.
And of course, Bristol is also perfect if you enjoy a good Banksy hunt.
What made the biggest impression on me was “Girl with a Pearl Earring”. Looking at it in books or on the internet is one thing, but seeing it in real life? Well, that’s the reason I go street art hunting.
If you like cities where street art feels natural, bold, and deeply connected to local culture – Bristol is very hard to beat.
I visited Bristol recently, so I’ve got a nice list of useful websites about the city. So here you go!
- As seen on the streets of Bristol: a street art guide
- Bristol Street Art History: Forty Years of Graffiti Arts – Where It All Began
- Upfest
- Upfest Map
- Street Art Cities – Bristol
Bonus: More Street Art UK Cities on My List
There are still a few places I haven’t explored yet. Here’s the list.
Glasgow – I keep hearing about its strong and constantly changing street art scene.
Aberdeen — less obvious choice, but anyone who heard about Nuart Aberdeen Street Art Festival shouldn’t be surprised. ^^”
Southend-on-Sea — easy escape from London and apparently full of unexpected pieces because of Southend City Jam.
Let’s see what I’ll find there next.
WOW, you made it this far!
Support if you’re having fun. ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡
Street Art in UK: A Few Tips Before You Go
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that one visit in a city is never enough. No matter how well you plan it, there’s always something you miss. That’s probably the most frustrating and exciting part of street art hunting at the same time.
Also things change fast. Walls get repainted, buildings disappear, artworks fade or get covered. Nothing really stays forever so it’s worth not waiting too long with exploring.
So if there’s a city on your must-see-list, maybe it’s time to make some preparations?
And I’m curious – am I missing something obvious on my list?
Take care,
Karolajn
Looking for more street art? Check this:
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