Take the escalator which starts near Platform 14 and this will bring you to the right exit near to Eataly on Bishopsgate
Short read:Bombing with Banksy & Co.
Long read: This isn’t a walk. It’s a hit. A blast of colour, wit, rebellion and razor-sharp commentary splashed across the walls of east London. One minute you’re face to face with a Banksy. The next you’re decoding a Ben Eine alphabet. Turn a corner and — bang — a Shepard Fairey or an Invader mosaic winks at you from the brickwork.
Street art has a habit of appearing, disappearing — and leaving you wondering who put it there.
Banksy read: “People say graffiti is ugly, irresponsible and childish… but that’s only if it’s done properly” – Banksy.
There’s no other London Walk like this one. It’s intense on the senses.
It’s a corkscrew of a route that pops cork after cork of east London’s vibrant, heady, dynamic street art scene.
It gets up close and personal with Banksy and Ben Eine and Shepherd Fairey and Invader and Co.
It decodes them. Like a great jazz musician it improvs (because this outdoor gallery – aka Shoreditch and Spitalfields – gets “rehung”* every few months). *Six months is the average lifespan of street art in east London. So the walk – true to the scene – changes all the time. Makes for a unique buzz. Okay, Banksy, here we come.
IS THE STREET ART TOUR RIGHT FOR ME?
Yes, if you’re curious, smart and open-minded
WHO ARE THE LONDON STREET ARTISTS?
They’re people who have something to say and a singular vision.
THE STREET ART TOUR – THE PRACTICALS
The Street Art Walk takes place mostSundays at 11 am. Meet David D., Leo, Laura, Jackie or Fabrizio just outside the Bishopsgate West Exit of Liverpool Street Tube. Meet at the top of the escalator. N.B. the Street Art Walk ends in Shoreditch High Street, a short walk from Old Street Station and Liverpool Street Station.
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING
N.B., David D., Leo, Laura, Jackie and Fabrizio are all experienced, top-flight, professionally qualified (Blue Badge) guides – top-flight Blue Badge guides with a speciality in the East London street art scene. “If I’m going to have my brain operated on I want a neurosurgeon, not some schlubber with a scalpel and a copy of Gray’s Anatomy.”
If you can’t make one of the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, The Street Art Tour it can always be booked as a private tour. If you go private you can have the The Street Art Tour walk – or any other London Walk – on a day and at a time that suits your convenience. We’ll tailor it to your requirements. Ring Fiona or Mary on 020 7624 3978 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll set it up and make it happen for you. A private London Walk – they’re good value for an individual or couple and sensational value for a group – makes an ideal group or educational or birthday party or office (team-building) or club outing.
GIVE THE GIFT OF LONDON WALKS
A private London Walk makes a fab gift – be it a birthday or anniversary or Christmas present or whatever. Merchandise schmerchandise (gift wrapped or not) – but giving someone an experience, now that’s special. Memories make us rich.
Fabrizio made the Street Art Tour a success! He was knowledgeable and brought the art to life for my grandson Leo who enjoyed it immensely. An extremely happy Grandma, Grandson and mini schnauzer! I have been on quite a few over the years but this was the best! Highly recommend Fabrizio!
Rated 5 out of 5
Heather –
Just got back from doing this tour with Fabrizio and am absolutely buzzing! It was so interesting, the art was brilliant, and as a South-East Londoner it was great to get a glimpse of a new area of London. Best London Walk I’ve done so far, would definitely recommend it. Thank you Fabrizio 😊
Rated 5 out of 5
Garth Munro –
Leo is a wonderful guide. Her knowledge of the area history, artists and their art is vast and she brings it to life with her enthusiasm. We had a wonderful time weaving through the streets to see an array of street art in hidden places sometimes. Leo was greeted by some of the artists themselves which was a bonus to get to see them, too. Her passion for the subject makes the walk fly by. A five star walk.
Rated 5 out of 5
Janice Jent –
We just toured with Leo this afternoon and had a wonderful time! She so knowledgeable about both street art and history that it was like two tours in one. Couldn’t recommend Leo and this interesting and creative tour more highly.
Rated 5 out of 5
Sally Herne –
Fantastic. Our guide is obviously so passionate and knowledgeable about the art and artists. I used to work not far from Shoreditch and had no idea all this amazing work was down the road. Highly recommend it
Rated 5 out of 5
David Drury –
I did the Street Art walk today. David did a fantastic job, loud enough voice for us to hear, and kept the fairly big group together even with the crowds on the streets. London Walks has a wonderful reputation and it’s easy to see why.
Rated 5 out of 5
Irena –
One of the best London Walks. Leo’s a fantastic guide – knowledgeable and funny. We had a great time.
Rated 5 out of 5
Angela –
Leo took us on a walk through the back streets of the “East End” showing us a range of colourful art, including short bios on many of the creators. She directed us to various murals and paste art, leaving you with a fresh perspective to keep an eye out yourself!
Rated 5 out of 5
Sara –
What a wonderful, educational guide Leo was today! The pace was great for such a large group and questions were encouraged. Would recommend, especially if your knowledge (like mine) is limited – Leo really brought it to life for us.
Rated 4 out of 5
Vivienne Little –
Fabrizio showed us street art we would never have seen. Together with his knowledgable and informative commentary it was a fascinating morning. Shame it was so cold.
Diane Cummings –
Fabrizio made the Street Art Tour a success! He was knowledgeable and brought the art to life for my grandson Leo who enjoyed it immensely. An extremely happy Grandma, Grandson and mini schnauzer! I have been on quite a few over the years but this was the best! Highly recommend Fabrizio!
Heather –
Just got back from doing this tour with Fabrizio and am absolutely buzzing! It was so interesting, the art was brilliant, and as a South-East Londoner it was great to get a glimpse of a new area of London. Best London Walk I’ve done so far, would definitely recommend it. Thank you Fabrizio 😊
Garth Munro –
Leo is a wonderful guide. Her knowledge of the area history, artists and their art is vast and she brings it to life with her enthusiasm. We had a wonderful time weaving through the streets to see an array of street art in hidden places sometimes. Leo was greeted by some of the artists themselves which was a bonus to get to see them, too. Her passion for the subject makes the walk fly by. A five star walk.
Janice Jent –
We just toured with Leo this afternoon and had a wonderful time! She so knowledgeable about both street art and history that it was like two tours in one. Couldn’t recommend Leo and this interesting and creative tour more highly.
Sally Herne –
Fantastic. Our guide is obviously so passionate and knowledgeable about the art and artists. I used to work not far from Shoreditch and had no idea all this amazing work was down the road. Highly recommend it
David Drury –
I did the Street Art walk today. David did a fantastic job, loud enough voice for us to hear, and kept the fairly big group together even with the crowds on the streets. London Walks has a wonderful reputation and it’s easy to see why.
Irena –
One of the best London Walks. Leo’s a fantastic guide – knowledgeable and funny. We had a great time.
Angela –
Leo took us on a walk through the back streets of the “East End” showing us a range of colourful art, including short bios on many of the creators. She directed us to various murals and paste art, leaving you with a fresh perspective to keep an eye out yourself!
Sara –
What a wonderful, educational guide Leo was today! The pace was great for such a large group and questions were encouraged. Would recommend, especially if your knowledge (like mine) is limited – Leo really brought it to life for us.
Vivienne Little –
Fabrizio showed us street art we would never have seen. Together with his knowledgable and informative commentary it was a fascinating morning. Shame it was so cold.