Everyone looks up on the Millennium Bridge, at St Paul’s, the Shard, the Thames…
I did too, until one day I looked down and spotted a tiny London skyline painted on a blob of chewing gum.
It turns out it’s part of Ben Wilson’s incredible chewing gum art, hiding in plain sight all over the bridge.
Welcome to London’s smallest (and stickiest) art gallery!
Who is Ben Wilson, the chewing gum man?
Ben Wilson is a North London artist who turns something most of us step over (chewing gum) into tiny works of art.
He started experimenting with discarded objects years ago, but chewing gum became his signature canvas.
Using a small blowtorch, enamel, acrylic paint and lacquer, he transforms each little blob into a miniature painting. Some can take hours (even days apparently) to finish.
Since the early 2010s, he’s been covering the Millennium Bridge with these tiny artworks, creating one of London’s most unusual art trails, right under your feet.
What to look for: hidden chewing gum paintings on the Millennium Bridge
The paintings are tiny, blink and you’ll miss them!
Look down and you’ll spot little London skylines, St Paul’s, flowers, creatures and colourful abstract shapes, all painted onto old chewing gum.
The bridge’s ridged surface gives each piece its own strange shape, which makes every little painting completely unique.
You’ll also find names, dates and dedications, from anniversaries to memorials and personal messages.
And if you’re really lucky, you might even spot Ben himself, crouched on the bridge with his tiny brushes!
Is the chewing gum art still there?
Yes, but not all of it.
When the Millennium Bridge had a deep clean in 2023, most of the chewing gum art was removed. After a petition by fans, Ben Wilson was allowed to save 75 pieces.
So if you spot one, take a closer look, these tiny artworks aren’t guaranteed to be there forever!
Why the chewing gum man trail is one of the best free things to do in London
It’s free, you can visit anytime, and it’s right between two London favourites: St Paul’s and Tate Modern.
But what I love most is that it turns a simple walk across the Thames into a little treasure hunt. Once you start looking down, you’ll want to spot them all!
No ticket, no queue, no gallery, just tiny original pieces of art hiding in plain sight!
So next time you cross the Millennium Bridge, don’t just look up. Look down. You might be surprised by what you find!
How to find the chewing gum art on the Millennium Bridge
Walk slowly and look down, especially near the ends of the bridge and the edges of the walkway.
Go early in the morning if you can. Fewer crowds, softer light, and you won't be dodging commuters while crouching for photos.
Bring your phone's zoom or macro mode. These paintings reward a close look.
And be kind to the art: don't scrape, pick or stand on pieces while photographing others.
What I love about the Chewing Gum Man is how he makes you pay attention. London is full of beautiful things we walk straight past!
Ben Wilson took the most unloved thing on the pavement and gave it a second life. There's something quietly hopeful about that as well...
Everything you need to know about the Chewing Gum Man art on the Millennium Bridge:
Address: Millennium Bridge, London. North side at Peter's Hill (EC4, below St Paul's Cathedral), south side at Bankside (SE1, beside Tate Modern).
Nearest stations: St Paul's, Mansion House, Blackfriars (north); Southwark or London Bridge (south).
Tickets: No ticket, no booking and it's entirely FREE!
Opening hours: The bridge is open 24 hours a day, though it can occasionally close for maintenance.
Online: Follow Ben Wilson on Instagram at @benwilsonchewinggumman. The bridge is managed by the City Bridge Foundation.
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