My SUP Stories

London has to be one of the world’s best cities for street art. And lucky for paddlers, some of the most interesting pieces sit right along the waterways. Artists have reclaimed bridges, canal walls, railway arches, tunnels, buildings and towpaths as places to be seen and heard. See it as vandalism, activism or art, graffiti adds a dynamic layer to the city. From the water, the vantage point is different and sometimes we can see pieces that stay hidden from land. The vibrant colours, bold statements and raw aesthetic really lift the mood, especially in this wet, grey winter season.

Here are 10 street art moments from my paddles while researching Paddle London:

1. Yes, it’s an obvious one, the Camden Lock railway bridge sign. A London landmark, painted by John Bulley in 1989. He proudly says it’s his bridge and Camden is just borrowing it. Such a classic photo opportunity, I couldn’t resist posing before paddling on Regent’s Canal.

Most people don’t know Hertford Union Canal, also known as Duckett’s. It’s a shortcut between the Lee Navigation and Regent’s Canal. London’s youngest canal (1830) and one of the shortest at just under 2 km, but it packs a punch. Three locks, rather practically named Top, Middle and Bottom Lock, with plenty of street art in between.

2. One of my favourites along the canal here states: “I’d rather die out of passion”. Pretty dramatic, but I took it as a reminder not to slip into autopilot and to follow my own weird path in life.

3. This paste-up in Hackney Wick made me pause: “The end is coming. The time for loving is now”. Glued over an already busy graffiti wall, the message felt urgent but also oddly gentle.

4. The construction hoardings in the Wick are impressive, photorealistic pieces mixed with cartoonish ones. I once got chatting to an American guy who had flown here to track down work by a particular graffiti artist. Dedication.

5. Along the Hackney Cut, the tone turns bold and political. I see messages calling out global injustice and showing international solidarity. And right beside them? A simple “Stay high.” Only in East London.

6. Regent’s Canal around Bethnal Green is another great stretch, with a high turnover of work. Blink and something new appears.

7. The Limehouse Cut, London’s oldest canal, runs from the Lee Navigation to the Thames through Poplar and Bow. Halfway along, I came across a memorial mural marking the shooting of two dogs, Marshall and Millions, in 2023. A nearby wall continues the tribute.

8. A cheerful one on the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal: “Smile, you’re alive.” I did. Simple but effective.

Further out on a more rural paddle along the Wey Navigation, there were two highlights:

9. The New Haw underpass is like an open-air gallery, the concrete surfaces layered with graffiti and often artists at work.

10. And finally, a clearly commissioned kingfisher mural in Guildford. Here the council took a different approach, using street art to transform a previously vandalised space and encourage more positive use of the area.

Street art is temporary, so some of these may already be gone, but that’s also the beauty of it. I’m sure you’ll spot equally great pieces that speak to you. Seen any good ones out there?

If you’d like more London paddling inspiration, my book Paddle London is now available to pre-order.