A walking guide of best public art in Central London

Trafalgar Square has long been a magnet for Londoners and visitors alike, but its Fourth Plinth brings fresh meaning to an otherwise empty pedestal. Since 1999, this spot has hosted a rotating show of contemporary commissions – each one a public art statement that sparks curiosity and conversation.

As of September 2024, the Fourth Plinth is graced by Mil Veces un Instante (A Thousand Times an Instant) by Mexican artist Teresa Margolles. Delicate, haunting, and powerful, the sculpture features over 700 plaster casts of trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people, arranged in a form inspired by Mesoamerican tzompantli (skull racks). It’s both a memorial and a call for solidarity.

Distance covered: Start of the route.

Suggested duration: 15–20 minutes to explore the square and view the plinth.

Nearest Tube stations: Charing Cross (Northern, Bakerloo), Leicester Square (Northern, Picadilly).

 

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The Southbank is one of London’s most vibrant cultural hubs in Central London, and it also doubles as an outdoor gallery. Stretching along the Thames, the Riverside Walk features striking sculptures, playful installations, and seasonal commissions that transform the riverside into an ever-changing art space.

What to see:

•   ★  Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms – water jets create shifting walls of water, turning play into performance. A favourite with children and a truly family-friendly piece.
•   ★  William Pye’s Zemran – a reflective steel sculpture that seems to shimmer in the riverside light.
•   ★  Mandela Bust – a bronze bust by Ian Walters near the Royal Festival Hall, a reminder of Southbank’s role as a place of cultural and political gathering.

Seasonal installations: Each year the Southbank Centre invites artists to reimagine public space, from colourful murals to light-based works.

Why it matters: This is one of the best free activities in Central London, combining public art with lively riverside atmosphere, street performers, and unbeatable views across the Thames.

Insider tip: Go in the late afternoon. The riverside light adds atmosphere, and it’s a great spot to pause for a coffee or photograph the city skyline.

Distance covered: 1.2 miles from Trafalgar Square (about a 30-minute minute walk)

Suggested duration: 30 minutes to explore the artworks and enjoy the riverside

Nearest Tube stations: Waterloo (Jubilee, Bakerloo, Northern), Embankment (District, Circle, Bakerloo, Northern)

London’s Tube isn’t just a way to get around – it doubles as one of the city’s most surprising art galleries. At Tottenham Court Road station, public art is woven into the very fabric of the station itself, turning the daily commute into a cultural encounter.

What to see:

Eduardo Paolozzi’s mosaics – Bright, playful and unmistakably 1980s, these vast mosaics are made up of thousands of colourful tiles. They cover walls, passageways, and platforms, mixing references to pop culture, technology, and classical art.

Daniel Buren’s geometric designs – Added as part of the station’s modern upgrades, these bold patterns provide a contemporary counterpoint to Paolozzi’s work.

Rotating commissions by Art on the Underground – The initiative regularly brings in artists to create new installations, making London’s transport network one of the most accessible art projects in Europe.

Explore other sculptures and murals:

•   ● The One and The Many
•   ● Fitzrovia Mural
•  ●  5th Duke of Bedford statue

A note for family visits: Because the mosaics are bright and instantly engaging, this stop works well as one of those easy school holiday activities where art is accessible to all ages.

Distance covered: 0.27 mile from Southbank Centre (about 15 minutes’ walk via Waterloo Bridge and Aldwyart).

Suggested duration: 20–25 minutes to explore mosaics and station art.

Nearest Tube stations: Tottenham Court Road (Central, Northern, Elizabeth lines).

Fitzrovia has long been a neighbourhood of writers, creatives, and bold thinkers, and its streets reflect that spirit. Tucked between Oxford Street and the leafy squares north of Soho, it’s an easy stop for anyone interested in blending art with everyday city life.

What to see:

  ★  Mural on Mortimer: A large-scale public artwork on 63-65 Mortimer Street. The latest mural, unveiled as part of the London Festival of Architecture 2025, was led by Oliwia Bober and celebrates creativity in the heart of Fitzrovia.

Nearby to Fitzrovia Quarter:

•   ★  George Orwell Statue: Outside Broadcasting House, a bronze statue by sculptor Martin Jennings honours the writer, who once lived in Fitzrovia. The piece shows Orwell leaning forward as if mid-conversation, a fitting tribute to his enduring voice.
•   ★  Statues of Terence Donovan & Twiggy: Located near Whitfield Gardens, these works pay homage to the photographer and model whose partnership helped define 1960s London style. They anchor Fitzrovia’s reputation as a place of fashion, media, and artistic innovation.

Distance covered: 450 metres from Tottenham Court Road (10 minutes on foot through the West End)

Suggested duration: 30 minutes to explore artworks and nearby cafés

Nearest Tube stations: Goodge Street (Northern), Oxford Circus (Victoria, Bakerloo, Central), Warren Street (Northern, Victoria).

The City of London isn’t only about glass towers and financial bustle. Each summer, its streets and plazas host Sculpture in the City, a programme that installs contemporary works right in the heart of the Square Mile. It turns the district into an open-air gallery where art and architecture collide, perfect for an outdoor day at London.

Right now, its 14th edition is currently running from 16 July 2025 through to Spring 2026, including 11 artworks from renowned and emerging artists.

Some special features:

•   ★  Ai Weiwei’s Roots: Palace – a cast-iron tree root sculpture located by St Botolph without Bishopsgate. It’s a striking visual statement about displacement, environmental destruction, and resilience.
•   ★   Jane and Louise Wilson’s Dendrophiles – a site-specific piece beneath The Leadenhall Building’s escalators. It combines scans of ancient oak timber from Roman-era London with DNA imagery, weaving together architecture and hidden heritage

Distance covered: 4.3 miles from Fitzrovia Quarter (25–30 minutes by Tube)

Suggested duration: 45–60 minutes to stroll and enjoy several of the installations.

Nearest Tube stations: Liverpool Street (Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan), Aldgate (Circle, Metropolitan), Monument (District, Circle).

 

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After a day of exploring Central London’s public art, Fitzrovia makes an ideal place to pause and soak it all in. The neighbourhood blends history with creativity, offering not only the striking Mural on Mortimer but also cultural landmarks, stylish cafés, and tucked-away green squares.