Banksy Art In Bristol

Banksy’s street art in Bristol: discover the artist and the city

Street artist Banksy arguably put Bristol on the map with his witty and thought-provoking graffiti. Many of his pieces are spread out across the city, but with a bit of planning can be easily visited. So make a tour, enjoy Bristol, and see Banksy’s amazing artwork first-hand.

Although Banksy is now a famous – if very secretive – artist, he was once an unknown, armed with only a spray-can and living in Bristol. Much of his work is scattered across the city, including the suburbs, so use a car or bus and make sure you see them all during your weekend visit in Bristol.<o:p></o:p>



A few of Banksy’s pieces have been removed and placed in Bristol’s museums but some of his early works can still be seen on buildings in the city centre. So whether you want a short break or a longer visit, you’ll still be able to enjoy at least a few of his iconic works.

‘You don't need planning permission to build castles in the sky’, Lower Lamb Street<o:p></o:p>

In the city centre, near Bristol cathedral, you’ll find Lower Lamb Street. At the end of the road, behind the central library, is one of Banksy’s most simple pieces, painted in 2011, with the words: 'You don't need planning permission to build castles in the sky'.

While you’re in the area, why not take a look at Bristol Cathedral? It’s one of the world’s finest examples of a medieval hall church. Or simply watch the world go by from a bench on College Green.<o:p></o:p>


Well Hung Lover, Frogmore Street<o:p></o:p>

From College Green it’s an easy stroll to Park Street. As you head up the road, you can see Banksy’s ‘Well-Hung Lover’ painted on the walls of the last house on Frogmore Street. A woman and her husband peer out of the window while a naked man hangs from the sill, out of sight. The piece is actually on the wall of a sexual health clinic.

The area has some trendy and fun fashion and record shops, so have a browse while you’re here.

Paint-pot Angel, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery<o:p></o:p>

At the top of Park street, you’ll find Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, next to Bristol University’s Wills Memorial Building. In the foyer, you can see Banksy’s ‘Paint-pot Angel’. Here, the traditional angel sculpture has been subverted to have a paint pot on her head. The artist left it with the museum after the hugely successful Banksy Versus Bristol Museum exhibition in 2009, where queues were hours long.

From here, head down the hill to M Shed in the Harbourside district.<o:p></o:p>


The Grim Reaper, M Shed<o:p></o:p>

One of Banksy’s most famous works, the Grim Reaper, was originally on the hull of a boat and the Reaper looked as though he was rowing across the River Styx. However, when it started to deteriorate, the mural was removed and taken to be displayed at the M Shed museum. Entry is free and you can also explore the museum’s collections about Bristol and its history.

Girl With The Pierced Eardrum, Hanover Place<o:p></o:p>

Head along Harbourside and enjoy the views. The former dockyard is now a hub of restaurants, cafes and hotels.  Look out for Brunel’s SS Great Britain, which was once one of the world’s longest passenger ships. The At-Bristol science centre, the Bristol Aquarium, and the Watershed arts centre are also all here.

When you reach the car park at Hanover Place, you’ll see Banksy’s ‘Girl With The Pierced Eardrum’ on the side of a building near the clock tower. The mural first appeared in October 2014 and is a parody of Vermeer’s ‘Girl With A Pearl Earring’. In Banksy’s version, the pearl is replaced with an outdoor, and potentially noisy, security alarm.  

The Mild Mild West, Stokes Croft<o:p></o:p>

This mural can be found at 80 Stokes Croft, the bohemian and artistic quarter of Bristol. It depicts a teddy bear throwing a Molotov cocktail at three riot police and is on an outside wall by popular local bar/restaurant, The Canteen. Many of the surrounding buildings and walls are covered in colourful graffiti and the area is a bit of an external art gallery.

When you’ve enjoyed the outdoor exhibits, nip into The Canteen for some affordable, home-cooked food – there are also displays by local artists and free live music every evening.<o:p></o:p>


Masked Gorilla, Easton<o:p></o:p>

The last stop is a little bit out on a limb in the suburb of Easton, a short bus or car ride from Stokes Croft.

Banksy was local to Easton before he was famous and signed up to a local football club, the Easton Cowboys, in the 1990s. A few of his early works can be found in the area: ‘Cat And Dog’ (on the corner of Robertson Road and Foster Street); ‘Click Clack Boom’ (on the wall of a house in Cato street); and possibly the most well-known, ‘Masked Gorilla’ on a wall in Fishponds Road. The image of the soulful gorilla in a pink mask was accidentally painted over in 2011 but has since been restored to the delight of Banksy fans everywhere.

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