Millennium Bridge Gum Art
masterpieces painted on old chewing gum
Hundreds of tiny paintings created on flattened blobs of chewing gum along the Millennium Bridge by artist Ben Wilson.
Free to visit · Bankside · St Paul's · EC4V 3QH
Opening: Viewable any time
Look down as you cross the Millennium Bridge and you will see them, hundreds of tiny, intricate paintings, each created on a flattened blob of discarded chewing gum stuck to the bridge surface. They are the work of the artist Ben Wilson, known as the Chewing Gum Man, who lies down on the pavement and turns litter into miniature artworks, often featuring messages and dedications requested by passers-by.
Because they sit on gum rather than the bridge itself, the work occupies a clever legal grey area. It is free to hunt for them, a wonderful reminder to look down as well as up, and proof that art can flourish in the most unlikely few centimetres of the city.
Getting there: On the deck of the Millennium Bridge between St Paul's and Tate Modern.
Best time to go: Daytime, looking down as you cross the bridge.
Insider tip: Walk slowly and scan the bridge deck for the small, colourful painted blobs, easy to miss among the foot traffic. Many carry personal messages and dates, so they double as a hidden diary of Londoners' requests.
Free things to do in London · London Free Guide