London may be a bustling city, but tucked away in its many neighborhoods are green spaces perfect for relaxing. One such special place is Shepherdess Walk Park in Hoxton. It’s ordinary enough until you find a mysterious passageway… Follow it, and you’ll stumble upon a dazzling surprise – the Shepherdess Walk Mosaics!
I accidentally found this place on a trip to London in the summer of 2023. My hotel was close to the Angel subway station, and I used Google Maps to see if anything around the area might be interesting. I decided to see if there was anything special around Regent’s Canal Walk and stumbled upon the Shepherdess Walk Mosaics.
I always do that on my trips, and sometimes, I find exciting hidden gems that I wouldn’t be able to spot on my own.
One day, before I headed for a walk in the city, I went to the Shepherdess Walk Park in Hoxton to see how amazing these mosaics could look.
Uncover the Dazzling Details of the Shepherdess Walk Mosaics
These massive murals are made entirely of colorful tiles and look more than fantastic. Artist Tessa Hunkin and over 150 local volunteers worked for over two years to bring this project to life.
It was first shown to the public in 2012, right in time for the Summer Olympics.
The main artwork consists of two huge wall panels. Like ancient Roman mosaics, they show regular people having fun—but with a modern twist that matches our times quite well. When you go there, don’t forget to look for smartphones, skateboards, headphones, and other clues showing this is London life today.
A panel about the area’s history features shepherdesses and their sheep. This is quite interesting because it shows that this park wasn’t always a park. Long ago, it was a green field where sheep and other livestock grazed before going to market. The mosaics honor this unique history.
Later, two more mosaics were added to the ground, showing all sorts of local plants and animals.
How to Find This Hidden Gem
Next time you’re in Hoxton, in East London, look for the narrow, spooky-looking passageway on Shepherdess Walk. But you don’t need to be afraid – walk right through! The reward is the beautiful sight of the mosaics waiting for you in the park.
Tessa Hunkin is a star in the mosaic world. Her work can be found all over London. Want to see more? Look for the Queenhithe Mosaic, a stunning piece along the River Thames that tells London’s story in tiles.
If you love the Shepherdess Walk Mosaics, you’re in luck! Tessa and her team keep making more. They have a bunch of special projects that you can check here.
Follow a Secret Passage to This London Mosaic Wonderland:
- The hidden walkway that leads to the mosaic can be found between 128 and 107 Shepherdess Walk.
- The closest subway stations are Angel and Old Street, or you can take the Overground train to Hoxton station.
- You should visit Tessa Hunkin’s website to see even more of her amazing artwork around London.
Shepherdess Walk: Where London History Meets Modern Art
London N1 7QA, United Kingdom
