A local’s guide to the best public art and free art trails in London, from London Bridge to Canary Wharf and secret Broadgate Art Trail – free spots to visit!
I’ve mentioned, here and there in passing, many of the free art trails and public art installations ‘gatherings’ in the past.
Stumbling upon free artsy places in London is one of my favorite things to do, and I have to admit I have my favorites; the London Bridge art trail and Sculpture in the City.
Like all art trails, the pieces renew regularly – either every few months, or every year, keeping a visit to London ever so interesting!
Free Art Trails in London: 7 Beautiful Artsy Places to Visit
Many people live in London on a budget – like most, I like coming across free quirky places; art pieces, in particular, always make me excited to get my phone out and snap a few shots.
Artsy places have this power over me, that of brightening up any grey day – and they’re one of countless hidden gems London houses.
Best Free Art Trails in London: Broadgate Art Trail
All around Broadgate Circle close to Liverpool Street Station, you’ll find an art trail much less advertised than the likes of Canary Wharf or London Bridge.
You’ll find many different sculptures in the Broadgate Art Trail, including:
- The Broadgate Venus, a huge, laying sculpture of a woman
- Leaping Hare on Crescent and Bell, by Barry Flanagan: you have to go up Broadgate Circle to see it, facing the Rolex store.
- Rush Hour by George Segal, which are cast figures of commuters in motion, and one of my favorite sculptures in London!
Best Public Art Trails in London: Paddington “Little Things” Art Trail
Artists Gillie and Marc see their sculptures regularly exhibited in various London neighborhoods and piazzas, from Paternoster Square to Tower Bridge.
More recently, the Little Things art trail in Paddington has taken on the role of raising awareness about kindness and respect towards the environment.
There are about 20 miniature sculptures, many animal-human hybrids or whimsical creatures adorning local businesses: they’re spread across the Paddington area and you’ll see them outside cafes and shops.
To find all The Little Things art trail sculptures easily, you can check out the Explore Paddington map.
Best Free Art Trails in London: Sculpture in the City
As I said at the beginning of this guide, the Sculpture in the City art trail in the City of London is one of my favorite trails to follow when I’m in the area.
This art trail goes from Bishopsgate near Liverpool Street station and Spitalfields, to Aldgate closer to the City of London, and you’ll find many contemporary sculptures walking the trail.
Sculpture in the City is the one art trail that feels most like an open-air gallery in my book, nestled among skyscrapers – contemporary art mixing with crisp skyscrapers? Yes, please.
One of the sculptures I love most on this trail is Earthing by Jocelyn McGregor; such a strange, fascinating piece mixing snail shells, legs and hands!
Best Free Art Trails in London: Canary Wharf Sculpture Trail
There are many places to visit in Canary Wharf, from viewpoints to the secret Crossrail Place Roof Garden, and the amazing shopping center.
Around the skyscrapers are located over 100 permanent outdoor sculptures – this is one of the largest free outdoor art collections in London, and makes for perfect photo spots.
Canada Square and Westferry Circus house some of the Canary Wharf Sculpture Trail pieces, and you’ll find another great one near poplar, the mind blowing Traffic Tree Light with its dozens of heads.
Best Public Art Trails in London: Leicester Square Scenes in the Square Trail
Some time ago, I showed you the gorgeous Leicester Square Scenes in the Square Trail here.
It’s made of sculptures of iconic film characters, from Paddington Bear to Mary Poppins, Charlie Chaplin, and Mr Bean.
The Leicester Square Sculpture Trail is also one of the Harry Potter locations you’ll find in Central London, with a statue of Harry riding a broom right outside the square.
Also, you’ll find a Shakespeare sculpture in the heart of Leicester Square at the fountain – a must-visit if you’re into a more literary itinerary at some point!
If you’re visiting London with kids and are looking for a free activity to keep little ones on their toes, do go on this short, playful trail for film lovers.
Best Free Art Trails in London: London Bridge Art Trail
All around London Bridge station are located various art pieces; sculptures and paintings alike. You could start by walking around The Shard, London Bridge and Borough Market to find some of them.
Or, you could go down Southbank towards Tower Bridge, passing by Hay’s Galleria.
For instance, inside Hay’s Galleria is located The Navigators by David Kemp, a 60 feet sculpture of a ship featuring sea monsters, gothic fantasy elements and oars.
Closer to Tower Bridge, you’ll also often see Gillie and Marc sculptures – the first time I came across them, it was sculptures of endangered chimps, later replaced by various animal statues along the Thames river.
And, if you’re into historical sites as well, you’ll find secret statues of Shakespeare at Southwark Cathedral and John Keats at the beautiful Guy’s Hospital!
Best Public Art Trails in London: The Line, East London
Connecting the Greenwich Peninsula with the River Lea and the Olympic Park, The Line is another great public art trail to follow on a clear day.
Of course, treading those trails during spring in London would be better weather-wise, but autumn makes for beautiful pictures too!
Along The Line, you’ll find many large-scale sculptures and mixed-media artworks; a trail that combines a soothing riverside walk, nature, art, and urban sights.
Free Art Trails in London: 7 Beautiful Artsy Places to Visit
There you have them, the best free art trails in London, from Central London with Leicester Square to West London with Paddington, and the dozens of public art installations at Canary Wharf!
We always say that London’s a really expensive city, and it’s true that living in London can be tough.
However, when you know about all the free activities you can do, the hidden gems forgotten by time like Lincoln’s Inn Chapel and places like the art trails we’ve just seen, you quickly find you’ll never get bored in London.
And if you’d like to see other secret spots in the city, here are a few guides and reviews I’ve recently shared with you: