Alternative Tours Of London: The Mural Walk

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By M@ Last edited 141 months ago

Last Updated 10 July 2012

Alternative Tours Of London: The Mural Walk
Ruth Miller in front of the Tawny Way mural near Surrey Quays, showing birds whose names can be found on the surrounding estate. The mural was created by Positive Arts in 2012.
Ruth Miller in front of the Tawny Way mural near Surrey Quays, showing birds whose names can be found on the surrounding estate. The mural was created by Positive Arts in 2012.
Commissioned by Tony Banks, this anti-nuclear mural on Coldblow Lane must be the only one to feature a missile-riding Michael Heseltine. It was created in 1983 by Brian Barnes and the London Muralists for Peace.
Commissioned by Tony Banks, this anti-nuclear mural on Coldblow Lane must be the only one to feature a missile-riding Michael Heseltine. It was created in 1983 by Brian Barnes and the London Muralists for Peace.
The dockers' shelter mural in Surrey Quays. Made in the 1990s by Bermondsey Art Group, it tells a chronological history of the former docks.
The dockers' shelter mural in Surrey Quays. Made in the 1990s by Bermondsey Art Group, it tells a chronological history of the former docks.
Unusually, Tesco commissioned and paid for two large murals inside Surrey Quays shopping centre. They're from Greenwich Mural Workshops and include work by Brian Barnes and others.
Unusually, Tesco commissioned and paid for two large murals inside Surrey Quays shopping centre. They're from Greenwich Mural Workshops and include work by Brian Barnes and others.
This much-faded and partly obscured mural in Shadwell was created for the 1985 anti-racist year. The bottom was painted out to hide an image of a skinhead attacking an Asian.
This much-faded and partly obscured mural in Shadwell was created for the 1985 anti-racist year. The bottom was painted out to hide an image of a skinhead attacking an Asian.
The famous Cable Street mural, showing the battle between local residents and fascist marchers, with the police caught in the middle. This is thought to be London's largest painted mural, with work from several artists.
The famous Cable Street mural, showing the battle between local residents and fascist marchers, with the police caught in the middle. This is thought to be London's largest painted mural, with work from several artists.
A new mural on Mile End Road, showing characters from Whitechapel's history. It was painted by Mychael Barratt in 2011.
A new mural on Mile End Road, showing characters from Whitechapel's history. It was painted by Mychael Barratt in 2011.
The Hackney Peace Carnival mural in Dalston. It was designed by Ray Walker in 1984, but he died before realising it. The wall was instead painted by his wife and Mick Jones.
The Hackney Peace Carnival mural in Dalston. It was designed by Ray Walker in 1984, but he died before realising it. The wall was instead painted by his wife and Mick Jones.

The London Mural Preservation Society (LMPS) does sterling work repairing, retouching and generally raising the awareness of the capital's bounty of murals. The mural's natural habitat is the inner-suburbs, places like Brixton, Battersea, Dalston and Shadwell, but you can also find them in the centre of town, viz the famous Soho and Fitzrovia murals.

We recently joined Ruth Miller, founder of the LMPS, on her debut tour of east London's finest. The tour starts at New Cross, from where it heads north along the route of the East London Line, taking in murals at Surrey Quays, Whitechapel and Shadwell. Ruth discusses the impetus for each piece, the stories behind the painters, and the difficulty raising funds to ensure these uniquely communal works of art are maintained. Click through the gallery above to see some of the highlights.

The tour is completely free (other than transport) and lasts around three hours.

The LMPS doesn't have a fixed schedule for walks, but will run the next Brixton tour on 15 July. Additional free tours of Brixton and east London highlights will follow in the near future. To register interest, get in touch with them at [email protected].

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