The Graffiti Tunnel on Leake Street runs roughly 300 metres beneath the platforms of Waterloo Station in Lambeth, and it is one of the few places in London where painting the walls is openly permitted. Street artists, photographers and curious passers-by come here to watch a free, constantly changing outdoor gallery being painted over in real time.
The tunnel’s modern identity dates to May 2008, when Banksy staged the Cans Festival in what had been a taxi rank for the Eurostar terminal (Excursion Mania). Today, layers of spray paint coat the brick arches, ceiling pipes and even the bins. Pieces rarely survive more than a few days, so expect fresh wildstyle lettering, portraits and stencils on any visit, along with the hiss of aerosol and the smell of paint. The renovated Leake Street Arches house bars, restaurants and entertainment venues along the route, which makes the tunnel a lively evening thoroughfare as well as a daytime art stop.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
The tunnel is free and generally open around the clock. Weekday mornings bring the fewest people and the cleanest light for photography. Weekend afternoons draw the most artists, so they are the best time to watch work in progress. You can enter from York Road or Lower Marsh, both a short walk from Waterloo Underground and mainline station. Guided graffiti workshops run regularly, with tickets around £54.88 (Eventslist). Combine your visit with the South Bank, the London Eye and the Lower Marsh market stalls nearby.
