Leake Street Arches

Leake Street Arches, often known as the Banksy Tunnel, is a 300-metre subterranean passage that serves as London’s largest legal graffiti space. Located directly beneath the platforms of Waterloo Station, this former Eurostar taxi rank was transformed in 2008 when the world-renowned street artist Banksy hosted the Cans Festival here. Today, it is a high-energy explosion of color where the walls are constantly evolving. As you walk through the dimly lit tunnel, the air is thick with the scent of fresh spray paint, and you are almost guaranteed to see artists at work on intricate murals or bold tags. It is a raw, authentic, and ever-changing gallery that perfectly captures the grit and creative spirit of London’s urban underground.

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Alles über Leake Street Arches

Was Sie erwartet

The Leake Street Arches are located in the Waterloo area of the South Bank. As a public thoroughfare, the tunnel itself is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There is absolutely no entrance fee to walk through and admire the art, making it one of the best free experiences in the city. Within the arches, you will also find a variety of independent businesses, including the board game cafe Draughts, several bars, and restaurants like Banh Bao Brothers. While the tunnel never closes, these individual venues typically operate from 11:00 or 12:00 until late evening. For those who want to do more than watch, professional graffiti workshops are often held here and can be booked in advance for around £40 to £50.

Warum diese Tour buchen

Because this is a legal graffiti zone, anyone is allowed to paint on the walls at any time. This means the masterpiece you see today might be painted over by tomorrow morning, so take your photos immediately! If you want to try your hand at street art, you are welcome to bring your own spray cans, provided you stick to the tunnel walls and avoid painting over signage or outside the designated area. The ground inside can sometimes be slippery or dusty with paint particles, so avoid wearing your finest clothes or shoes. While generally safe and well-traveled by tourists and locals alike, it is still a busy urban tunnel; stay aware of your surroundings and be respectful of the artists while they are focused on their work.

Die richtige Tour auswählen

Accessing Leake Street Arches is incredibly simple due to its location right next to London’s busiest railway hub. The most common way to arrive is via Waterloo Station, which is served by the Jubilee, Northern, Bakerloo, and Waterloo and City lines, as well as extensive National Rail services. From the station, follow the signs toward York Road or Lower Marsh to find the tunnel entrances. Lambeth North station is also a short five-minute walk away. If you are exploring the South Bank near the London Eye, it is only a few minutes' stroll to reach the York Road entrance. For those using the river bus, the London Eye Waterloo Pier is very close, offering a scenic arrival by water.

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For the best photography lighting and a quieter atmosphere, aim to visit on a weekday morning. During these times, you can capture the scale of the tunnel without the large weekend crowds. However, if you want to see the "theatre" of the space, Saturday and Sunday afternoons are when the tunnel truly comes alive with multiple artists working simultaneously. Evening visits offer a different, more industrial vibe as the neon signs from the bars within the arches begin to glow, though the lighting for photos becomes more challenging. If you are visiting in 2026, keep an eye out for seasonal events like "Miracle on Leake Street," an alternative Christmas festival that turns the tunnel into a festive urban wonderland.

Leake Street Arches