The UK is brimming with street art, but not all of it is easy to find. Beyond the famous murals and landmark sculptures, many artworks are hidden in plain sight, tucked away in quiet corners, underpasses, and alleyways. But which pieces stand out as the UK’s best hidden artworks?
To find out, Betway Casino has uncovered the country’s top hidden artworks, from the more widely recognised to some of the best-kept secrets. Each one was ranked based on how hidden it is, alongside online attention and visitor engagement.
Leake Street Tunnel is the UK’s best hidden artwork, with 64,800 annual searches and over 81,000 Instagram hashtags
Leake Street Tunnel in London takes the crown as the UK’s best hidden artwork. Just a short walk from Waterloo Station, this tunnel has become a hub for graffiti and street art. With 64,800 annual searches and over 81,000 Instagram hashtags, it draws both urban explorers and art lovers.
| Artwork | Location | Average annual search volume* | Instagram hashtags | Hidden score |
| Leake Street Tunnel | London | 64,800 | 81,646 | 1.4 |
| Traffic Light Tree | London | 64,800 | 2,739 | 4.2 |
| Dream Sculpture | St Helens | 52,800 | 1,410 | 4.7 |
| The Singing Ringing Tree | Burnley | 52,800 | 5,331 | 4.3 |
| Quantum Cloud | London | 34,800 | 961 | 6.8 |
| The Lady in the Woods | Otterden | 1,080 | 62 | 11.0 |
| The Hare and the Minotaur | Cheltenham | 1,320 | 117 | 8.0 |
| The Mild Mild West | Bristol | 34,800 | 887 | 1.4 |
| Brixton David Bowie Mural | London | 15,600 | 370 | 3.7 |
| The Colinton Tunnel | Edinburgh | 840 | 217 | 5.3 |
| Marcus Rashford Mural | Manchester | 2,520 | 270 | 4.4 |
| Cable Street Mural | London | 22,800 | 409 | 1.7 |
| Face of Wigan | Wigan | 1,680 | 144 | 4.3 |
| Silvas Capitalis | Kielder | 8,640 | 552 | 3.3 |
| Verity | Ilfracombe | 28,800 | 65 | 0.7 |
London’s Traffic Light Tree ranks second. Located in Canary Wharf, this kinetic sculpture mimics the rhythm of city life, and sees 64,800 annual searches and appears in nearly 7,240 Instagram posts. Thanks to being tucked away from the area’s busiest routes, it secures a hidden score of 4.2.
The Dream Sculpture takes third place. Standing at 20 metres tall, its secluded setting gives it a hidden score of 4.7. With 52,800 annual searches and 1,410 Instagram posts, it offers a moment of quiet reflection for those who make the journey.
Outside of those that feature in the top 15, Bristol’s Well Hung Lover is the most Instagrammed piece of hidden art
While some of the UK’s hidden artworks can be easy to miss, their striking visuals and unexpected locations make them perfect for sharing online. Leading the way is Leake Street Tunnel, followed by the Singing Ringing Tree and Traffic Light Tree, each proving popular with social media users.
Banksy’s Well Hung Lover in Bristol continues to delight visitors with its playful, cheeky humour. Featuring in 2,479 Instagram posts, it remains one of the city’s most photographed artworks, along with The Mild Mild West, another Banksy piece with 887 hashtags. Both pieces reflect Bristol’s bold and irreverent street art culture.
For those seeking something more thought-provoking, the Knife Angel in Oswestry and the Tommy mural in Seaham offer experiences that go beyond visuals alone. The Knife Angel, created from over 100,000 confiscated knives, appears in 1,893 Instagram posts, while the Tommy mural, honouring First World War soldiers, features in 756. Together, they highlight how street art can combine powerful storytelling with widespread social engagement.
From tucked-away tunnels to hilltop sculptures, the UK’s hidden artworks prove that creativity can be found in the most unexpected places. For those willing to look just a little bit closer, these pieces encourage visitors to look beyond the obvious and discover something new.
