A local’s guide to the most beautiful public art installations with mosaics in London; places off the beaten path for artsy people to visit for something fresh!
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been sharing many more hidden gems than I thought would be possible, taking my favorite things in life and transposing them into the London life I know and love.
Lately, for instance, Paddington bear spots have been one of the highlights of The Working Line, although I’ve also been working on all the prettiest spots I’ve found for lovers of stained glass in London.
Today’s all about off the beaten path places to find beautiful mosaics in London.
I’m not talking about art cafes, or museums – I’m talking about actual places in London you can physically visit to find secret mosaic artworks.
Mosaics in London: 12 Artsy Places Off the Beaten Path
From London Bridge to the Thames Path, and from Walthamstow to Tottenham Court Road, I’ve gathered here all the most beautiful mosaics in London.
Some are hidden in plain sight, like the Tottenham Court Road station mosaics, while others, like the Shepherdess Walk mosaics, are tucked in between buildings – you’d never think such amazing places are located, well, where they are.
Lovers of all things secret in London, embark with me on a walk through London’s history and creativity!
Beautiful Mosaics in London: In a River a Thousand Streams, Adam Nathaniel Furman, London Bridge
If you ever pop by London Bridge (to explore Borough Market’s food stalls, for instance) or hidden gems in the area, you should definitely check out the public artwork at the station called In a River a Thousand Streams.
The mosaic was designed by British artist Adam Nathaniel Furman and created to last for up to 150 years.
It is located along the concourse of London Bridge Station near the entrance to the Shard Quarter, where I used to work, at Oblix Restaurant, as a receptionist before the pandemic.
You could start with breakfast in one of London Bridge’s cafes, which are many, or pop by after a filled doughnut at Bread Ahead Bakery in Borough Market.
If you are searching for secret photo spots or just on the hunt for gorgeous mosaics in London, this one is easily accessible and a perfect place to pause and admire the city’s creativity.
Where to Find Mosaics in London: Queenhithe Mosaics, Thames Path
Then, along the River Thames, you will find the Queenhithe Mosaic.
Completed in 2014, it measures about 30 meters and serves as a visual timeline of London’s history, from its Roman origins to the 2012 Queen’s Jubilee.
To find it, you have to go behind the Queenhithe residential complex, where you’ll stand on the only surviving Anglo-Saxon dock in the world; a forgotten historical site perfect for lovers of the quirky and the old.
The Queenhithe Mosaic shows many key moments of London’s history and famous figures, including the Roman conquest, the construction of St Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare, and the 2012 Olympic Games.
The Thames path is one of my favorite things to do in London as an overthinker, and whether you start around Rotherhithe or London Bridge, you’ll find that it offers peace and soothing views, even when it rains.
Beautiful Mosaics in London: Tottenham Court Road Station Mosaics by Eduardo Paolozzi
Completed in 1986 by Eduardo Paolozzi, the platform mosaics make Tottenham Court Road Station one of the most beautiful Tube stations in London.
Even if the change between the Central Line and Northern Line can feel daunting, the mosaics cover an impressive 950 m² across the platforms and connecting passageways.
The ultra-colorful design was inspired by the area’s proximity to London’s electronics and hi-fi shops – now, it’s true that some sections were removed during the Elizabeth line development.
Still, most of the original mosaics were carefully preserved and restored, and make Tottenham Court Road Station an unexpected photo spot right in the heart of central London.
Where to Find Mosaics in London: Shepherdess Walk Mosaics by Tessa Hunkin
Like the Queenhithe Mosaic, the Shepherdess Walk mosaics were designed by artist Tessa Hunkin, and you can find them in Hackney, East London, one of the best neighborhoods for art lovers and hipsters.
Completed in 2012, the Shepherdess Walk mosaics are hidden and accessible via a narrow alley between 107 and 128 Shepherdess Walk, and displayed on both the walls and pavements.
The mosaics depict life in Hackney through the four seasons, and while they feel antique with classical Roman mosaic techniques, they could not be more modern in theme.
If you are looking for artsy things to do in Hoxton, these mosaics are just a five-minute walk away from the station.
When you’re done, I definitely urge you to pop by one of my favorite curiosity shops in the city, Hoxton Street Monster Supplies, and the outstanding Museum of the Home with its gorgeous period rooms.
Beautiful Mosaics in London: Mosaic House, Chiswick
Located on Fairlawn Grove, the Mosaic House in Chiswick is one of the most special public artworks you will ever find in London.
It was created by British ceramics artist Carrie Reichardt, who lives there, and first appeared in the early 2000s.
Over the years, it has evolved into a collaborative artwork that features lots of different patterns and symbols by various artists – it’s made to stand as a testament to the power of art.
When you’re done admiring the Mosaic House, walk around Chiswick; it’s one of the city’s most secret neighborhoods, filled with vintage shopfronts, quirky bookstores, winding streets, and pure nature.
Where to Find Mosaics in London: Alfred Hitchcock Mosaics, Leytonstone Underground Station
When planning your first ever trip to London, did you ever expect to come across Alfred Hitchcock mosaics?
Well, these can be found at Leytonstone Underground Station in East London: the mosaics celebrate the legacy of the filmmaker, who was born in the area in 1899.
You will find them around the station’s entrance, and the easiest way to reach them is to start at Church Lane and follow the passageway to Gainsborough Road outside the ticket barriers.
The mosaics depict scenes from Hitchcock’s most famous films, like Psycho, The Birds, and Rear Window, as well as moments from his own life in Leytonstone.
It’s one of the most unique places in London, and when you see the Psycho mosaic, I promise you will feel like you are standing in one of the creepiest spots in the city.
Where to Find Mosaics in London: Bedford Road Mosaic Trail, Walthamstow, East London
In Walthamstow, East London, the Bedford Road Mosaic Trail can be found really close to Lloyd Park.
It was created by local residents in collaboration with mosaic artist Monge Milton and project director Angela McDermott.
There, the mosaics depict various elements of urban wildlife, with a different design for each one, from fungi to bees, peacock butterflies, and even dandelions.
Walthamstow is especially famous for its natural reserve, aside from the quaint Walthamstow Village, so it makes sense that this mosaic trail would be located there, in an attempt to integrate art and nature into public spaces.
It’s also an especially beautiful reminder that even in a busy urban city like London, creativity and nature can coexist harmoniously.
Where to Find Mosaics in London: Hackney Downs Mosaic
In Hackney, there’s another Tessa Hunkin mosaic called the Hackney Downs Mosaic, located right inside Hackney Downs Park.
Completed in 2014, it decorates the walls of a playground shelter and is filled with intricate details featuring wind, animals, trees, and plants.
It’s free to access and probably one of the most secret places in London.
Like other mosaics in London by Tessa Hunkin, the Hackney Downs Mosaic is part of the Hackney Mosaic Project, founded by the artist in 2011, which engages individuals facing addiction and mental health issues challenges in the creation of these mosaics.
This one is one of the most striking artworks in the city, beautifully crafted, and it also makes for a perfect secret Instagram spot.
Where to Find Mosaics in London: Globe Primary School Mosaics, Bethnal Green
I still remember the first time I came across Globe Primary School in Bethnal Green: it was right after having breakfast at nearby Italian cafe Quarantacinque, which I’ve been loving ever since I used to live nearby.
The Globe Primary School mosaics immediately caught my eye: these were created in collaboration with the local community and are to be admired around the school.
The mosaics feature animals from all around the world, reflecting the school’s name.
All the designs were drawn by children during workshops led by Artyface, a community arts organization, and the pieces were then installed by a team of artists and volunteers, including local residents.
If you visit Bethnal Green, you’ll find plenty of cool spots around Globe Primary School.
There’s the Jambala Bookshop, a charity bookshop with a gorgeous shopfront, as well as Lama’s Pyjamas, another amazing charity shop.
The area is also full of historical sites and secret streets waiting to be explored.
You could, for instance, walk back down to the Bethnal Green Library, then down Bethnal Green Road for some local shops until, on the left, you find Brick Lane and its lively street art!
Where to Find Mosaics in London: Peace Mosaics, King’s Cross
King’s Cross is not all about Harry Potter and brunch spots.
There’s also Coal Drops Yard, a shopping area with lots of independent shops, and the Peace Mosaics located in a small garden near King’s Cross railway station.
The garden is usually locked, but you can still view the mosaics through the railings – they’re colorful and make for a really unexpected spot to see when you’re in the area.
When you’re done admiring the Peace Mosaics, I’d definitely recommend taking a walk through the industrial area that has been transformed into Coal Drops Yard.
As you browse the shops, don’t miss Roseur, one of the most beautiful flower shops in London.
This is one of my favorite places around King’s Cross, with wonderful bouquets and unique workshops if you want to treat yourself or someone you love.
Where to Find Mosaics in London: William Blake Mosaics, Lambeth
In Lambeth, South London, not too far from Vauxhall and Nine Elms, the William Blake Mosaics are a truly striking public art installation, celebrating the works of poet and artist William Blake.
To access them, you’ll need to head to the railway arches near Carlisle Lane, close to Lambeth North Station – you can already spot them from the street.
The mosaics – over 70 in total – were created over a decade by local volunteers, and are inspired by Blake’s delicate poetry and feature scenes from his works, including Jerusalem, Songs of Innocence and Experience, and The Marriage of Heaven and Hell.
If you’re looking for artsy spots in London, this is a place full of inspiration, with allegorical figures, angels, demons, and vibrant colors, all rendered in intricate detail.
Where to Find Mosaics in London: The House of Dreams, East Dulwich by Stephen Wright
The last spot I want to mention when it comes to finding beautiful mosaics in London is the House of Dreams Museum created by Stephen Wright.
Granted, it’s quite far from Central London (we’re in East Dulwich), but when it comes to hidden gems in the city, it’s hard to find a place more unique than the House of Dreams Museum.
Originally created as a personal tribute to Wright’s late partner and his parents, and it explores themes of loss, identity, memory, transformation, and beauty.
It’s open on select Saturdays, and you’ll need to book in advance – after all, it’s the artist’s home.
Inside, the space is filled with broken dolls, toys, bottle caps, teacups, and a myriad of lost and found objects, making it one of the most colorful and unusual places in London.
Mosaics in London: 12 Artsy Places Off the Beaten Path
There you have them, all the best spots to find colorful, historical, and contemporary mosaics in London!
You’ll hopefully have found here a few off the beaten path places you didn’t expect; these all add a little something more to any London itinerary.
I’ve been a lover of all things quirky ever since I was a kid, and well, isn’t quirky a perfect word to describe London?