Exile Tattoo

Exile Tattoo has served Southend-on-Sea since 2009, founded on the idea of a family-run studio where quality tattoos are crafted with intention. The studio is now led by Charlie Noakes, son of the founders, who has been part of Exile since age 16 and specialises in black & grey tattooing rooted in Chicano culture. The wider team covers a broad spread of styles, from bold colour anime and ornamental designs to cover-ups, Japanese and neo-traditional work, black and grey realism, delicate line work and stipple shading, reflecting decades of combined experience alongside newer talent still developing their craft.

The atmosphere is warm, welcoming and genuine, with an emphasis on upholding high standards while nurturing both clients and artists. Accessibility is a real focus here, with one artist dedicated to creating a safe space for neurodivergent clients and working toward BSL qualifications to widen communication access. Whether you're after large-scale Japanese pieces, clean pattern work, realism or a considered cover-up, the studio's roster is built to handle a wide range of requests. Sessions can be booked directly, and the team is active on Instagram and TikTok for those wanting to see recent work before visiting.