THE ARTSY ULTIMATE GUIDE
London’s art scene is one of the best in the world. With world-famous museums, art galleries scattered around each neighbourhood and streets lined with street art that can be visited with free walking tours, it’s easy to see why so many art lovers travel to London each year. But not just limited to art, London has also become a mecca for the creatives, intellectuals, musicians, writers and fashionistas as well, who thrive in London’s many flourishing and artistic neighbourhoods.
In recent years the arts scene in London’s East End (or more specifically Shoreditch) has catapulted to international fame; but London’s artsy neighbourhoods don’t just stop there. Here are some of the best neighbourhoods in London known for their artsy, trendy vibes, that you can visit with a guide on a free tour or discover on your own:
Shoreditch
From artists and bohemians, to hipsters and hippies… no subculture goes uncovered in this artsy area. Before the 1990s, Shoreditch was known as as a cheap area for Londoners to buy a home, but over the years Shoreditch has become the epicentre for London’s thriving art scene. The area is packed full of art museums and street art (by the likes of Banksy and ROA), and attracts both artists and art lovers from all over the world.
Artsy places to visit in Shoreditch: Brick Lane, Brick Lane Gallery, Geffrye Museum, Whitechapel Gallery
Camden
All you have to do is stroll around Camden for half an hour to see why it’s considered one of the artsiest neighbourhoods in London. From goths in tight leather outfits, punks with mohawks, and hipsters with luscious bears, sometimes people-watching can be as much fun in Camden as checking out the cheap clothing markets.
Artsy places to visit in Camden: Camden Market, The Blues Kitchen, The Coffee Jar, Amy Winehouse’s house, The Roundhouse, The Jazz Cafe
Notting Hill
A lot of Londoners complain that Notting Hill’s artsy culture has been watered down in recent years, (especially after that cheesy Hugh Grant movie), but with a mixture of artists, musicians, writers and even celebrities, there’s no denying Notting Hill’s genuinely artsy vibes. While the northern areas of Notting Hill are known for their cultural and music scenes, Ladbroke Grove has become home to London’s hip-and-happening reggae and punk subcultures.
Artsy places to visit in Notting Hill: Portobello Road, Electric Cinema, Coronet Cinema, Westbourne Grove
Hackney
The trendy borough of Hackney has always drawn artsy people from all walks of life, but Dalston and Clapton in particular have become hubs for everything art and indie. Dalston was recently declared as “one of the coolest places in Britain” because of its many retro and vintage shops, while Clapton has been coined as one of “London’s coolest neighbourhoods.”
Artsy things to do in Hackney: Have a pint at The Hemingway, and watch a film at Rio in Dalston or a show at the Hackney Empire
Clerkenwell
Once a largely industrial neighbourhood, today Clerkenwell is considered London’s biggest creative quarter. Packed full of 20-somethings enjoying all the artsy vibes London has to offer, Clerkenwell is oh-so-chic and popular among artists, writers, musicians, architects and design companies.
Artsy places to visit in Clerkenwell: Barbican Centre, Exmouth Market, Sadler's Wells Theatre
Fitzrovia
Fitzrovia has always been one of London’s most artsy neighbourhoods, and in the late 19th century Fitzrovia was especially popular among many bohemians, writers, musicians and artists. Pink Floyd often hung out at The UFO Club (in the basement of 31 Tottenham Court Road), and Jimi Hendrix also performed at the Speakeasy on Margaret Street.
Artsy things to do in Fitzrovia: Visit Pollock’s Toy Museum, see Virginia Woolf’s house at Fitzroy Square, hear some live music at The 100 Club
South Bank
Forever-known as the entertainment district in London, South Bank is essentially the “cultural heart” of London, and is eclectic in every sense of the word. Not only is The Southbank Centre known as Europe’s largest arts centre, South Bank also hosts over 1,200 artsy events each year, such as the Udderbelly Festival and the BFI London Film Festival.
Artsy places to visit in South Bank: Southbank Centre, The Royal Festival Hall, National Theatre, Tate Modern
Deptford
For years Deptford was considered a “no-go-zone” because of its high crime rates, but recently the arrival of artists and creatives have helped put Deptford on the London arts map as “the apex of fashionability.” Not only has Deptford’s High Street been described as a “blissfully chain-free zone,” the neighbourhood has also given birth to many successful indie bands; (the most notable being Bloc Party).
Artsy places to visit in Deptford: The Old Police Station, Vinyl, Narrative Arts
If you're interested in discovering the most artsy neighborhoods in the UK's capital, you might want to take a look at the free tours in London that depart daily.
