Legal Graffiti Walls in London: The 2026 Guide

London has hundreds of painted walls, but only a handful where you're actually allowed to pick up a can and paint. This guide covers the legal graffiti walls and halls of fame in London that are known to be open as of September 2026, what the rules are, and how to paint them without causing problems for the next person.

Before you go: legal walls open, close and change hands. Always check the latest reports on legal-walls.net and follow any signs posted at the wall itself. If a spot looks like it has been closed off, respect that.

Leake Street Tunnel, Waterloo (SE1)

The best-known legal wall in London and the longest, running under the platforms of Waterloo station. The tunnel has been open to painters since Banksy's Cans Festival in 2008, and it's now managed by Leake Street Arches.

The official tunnel rules are clear on a few points worth knowing before you arrive:

• Painting is allowed on the tunnel walls only. Anything outside the authorised area gets removed.
• No discriminatory or political pieces, and no unauthorised advertising or branding.
• Group activity, filming, photoshoots and workshops need the landlord's permission in advance.
• No alcohol outside authorised events, no smoke grenades, and keep noise down after 10pm.

Full details are on the Leake Street Arches tunnel rules page. Pieces here get painted over fast, sometimes within hours, so photograph your work as soon as it's done.

Stockwell (SW9)

Stockwell has two long-standing spots: the Stockwell hall of fame and the walls around Stockwell Skatepark. Both have been painted for well over a decade and are still reported as legal. Expect a mix of old-school pieces and fresh throw-ups, and be ready to share the space with skaters.

Mile End (E3)

A long-running East London spot near Mile End Park. Worth combining with a wander round the wider East End if you're making a day of it.

The Pit, Ladbroke Grove (W10)

A West London wall with a long history in the UK scene, close to the Westway.

Tottenham (N15/N17)

Concrete walls near the railway by Markfield Park, reported as legal and regularly painted.

North London: Crouch End and Ally Pally

Two smaller North London spots, both listed as legal. Good options if you live north and don't want to trek to Waterloo.

Feltham Bowls (TW13)

Out west near Feltham, around the skate bowls. Quieter than the central spots, which makes it a decent place to practise.

Plaistow, the Greenway (E13)

A stretch of concrete walls along the Greenway footpath behind the East London Cemetery. Popular with photographers as well as painters.

What about South East London?

Honestly, there are very few open legal walls in Lewisham, Deptford and New Cross right now. Most of the painted walls you'll see around here, including the 25 Deptford High Street shutters, are commissioned pieces rather than open walls, so please don't paint over them. If you're local and looking for somewhere to paint, drop into the shop at 389 New Cross Road and ask. We'll point you in the right direction.

Legal wall etiquette

• Don't go over a piece that's still being painted, and wait until the artist has finished before you start next to them.
• If you're going over older work, go over it with something better, not a quick tag.
• Take your empty cans and caps home. A wall covered in litter is a wall that gets shut down.
• Be polite to neighbours, dog walkers and anyone asking questions. Legal walls survive on local goodwill.
• Wear a mask, especially in tunnels where fumes build up. Our guide to handling spray paint safely covers the basics.

What to bring

A mix of cans for outlines and fills, a handful of spare caps (they clog), gloves and a proper respirator. If you're not sure which paint suits you, read our comparison of MTN 94 vs MTN Hardcore, or browse our spray paint and caps online.

Want to paint with an artist alongside you?

If you've never painted before, a legal wall can be intimidating. Our private graffiti workshops and tour and paint sessions give you all the kit and an artist to show you the basics first.

Know a legal wall in London we've missed, or one that's closed? Let us know and we'll update this guide.