Where has Urban Sketchers London drawn over the years? Now there’s a map to find out.
We’ve gathered more than 200 past sketchwalk locations from our blog posts dating back to 2012, alongside some from our wishlist, and pinned them all on one map. It’s a little piece of USk London history, showing the places we’ve explored together and the many different ways we’ve got to know this city through drawing.
Some favourites come as no surprise. The South Bank and places along the Thames have featured time and time again, with their riverside views, bridges, changing light and constant activity. London’s museums, galleries and cultural centres have also drawn us back, offering everything from monumental architecture and historic interiors to collections, public spaces and the people who pass through them.
But the map is more than a record of where we’ve been. It’s a source of inspiration for those days when the question is simply: Where shall we go sketching? Perhaps an old favourite deserves another visit, or there’s a corner of London we’ve somehow overlooked.
Some ideas from earlier years are worth revisiting, too. How about a sketchwalk linking one Tate to the other, or a themed outing exploring Jack the Ripper’s London or the legacy of Sir Christopher Wren? There are plenty of possibilities beyond choosing a single location and settling in for the day.
As our community has grown, organising sketchwalks has become a little more complicated. Not every location can comfortably accommodate a large group, and some venues may have restrictions on returning with a crowd. That doesn’t mean they’re off the sketching map. Many places are still well worth exploring independently or with a few sketching buddies.
The map may also help us spot gaps in our coverage, discover new areas and identify places we might want to revisit. We’re always open to suggestions for future sketchwalks.
What makes a good sketchwalk location?
We’re looking for places that offer a combination of:
- Something interesting to draw: architecture, streetscapes, parks, markets, riverside views, people, historic sites or an unusual mix of subjects.
- Good transport links: somewhere reasonably easy to reach from different parts of London.
- Space for a large group: ideally somewhere that can accommodate 100+ sketchers without getting in everyone else’s way.
- Practical facilities: nearby public toilets and somewhere to buy food or a drink.
- Room to gather: a clear meeting point and a suitable place for throwdowns.
- Options for different weather: shelter, indoor alternatives or nearby cafés are always a bonus.
Not every location needs to tick every box, but the more of these it offers, the easier it is to organise a good day out for everyone.
A note about the pins
The pins on this map indicate general sketchwalk locations, not exact meeting points or throwdown spots. They are intended as a guide to the areas we’ve explored, rather than instructions for where to gather. For details of a particular sketchwalk, please refer to its original blog post.
Have a look around the map, revisit an old favourite, discover somewhere new and let us know where you think Urban Sketchers London should go next. After all, there’s always more of London to draw.
