Bristol Street Art: Beyond Banksy
Bristol is Britain’s street art capital. Banksy started here, and his early works still adorn walls across the city. But Bristol’s street art scene is so much more than one artist—it’s a thriving ecosystem of local and international artists, legal walls, abandoned buildings transformed into canvases, and a community that celebrates creativity on the streets.
This guide reveals Bristol’s street art beyond the famous Banksy pieces, exploring areas where local artists flourish, legal walls where new works appear daily, and the spaces that make Bristol Britain’s street art capital.
1. Stokes Croft
Stokes Croft is Bristol’s spiritual street art heartland. A formerly industrial area, it’s been transformed into a canvas for artists from around the world. Walking along Stokes Croft is like visiting an outdoor gallery—every available surface, from walls to doors to utility boxes, features artwork.
What makes Stokes Croft special is its concentration and quality of art. This isn’t haphazard graffiti but curated street art, with permission granted by building owners. The art is constantly changing—old pieces are painted over, new ones appear, creating a living, evolving gallery.
Key works: Look for large-scale murals by international artists, political commentary pieces, and work by Bristol favourites like Inkie and Nick Walker.
Getting there: Walkable from Bristol city centre (10-15 minutes). Bus routes 8, 9, 50, 51, 52 stop nearby.
Photography: Excellent lighting in early morning or late afternoon. The street is busy—visit early for fewer people in your shots.
Area character: Stokes Croft also has independent cafés, bars, and shops. Combine art exploration with coffee or lunch.
2. Nelson Street
Nelson Street became famous in 2011 during the “See No Evil” street art festival, when artists from around the world descended on Bristol to transform the street’s buildings into a massive outdoor gallery. The street remains one of Bristol’s most spectacular street art destinations.
What makes Nelson Street special is its scale. The artworks here are large-scale, often covering entire building fronts. Walking the street is like visiting a museum where every wall is a masterpiece. The quality of work is extraordinary—this isn’t amateur graffiti but world-class street art.
Key works: Look for massive pieces by international artists, portraits, landscapes, and abstract works. The art is high on buildings, bringing a camera with zoom capabilities.
Getting there: Central Bristol, near the Hippodrome. Bus routes 8, 9, 50, 51, 52 stop nearby.
Best viewing: The opposite side of the street often gives better perspective on large pieces. Walk both sides.
Timing: The street is quiet at night—good for photography, though safety considerations apply.
3. St Werburghs
St Werburghs is a bohemian neighbourhood with a distinct street art vibe. Less concentrated than Stokes Croft or Nelson Street, St Werburghs offers scattered artworks integrated into the community, often on residential walls, fences, and even houses.
What makes St Werburghs special is its residential context. Unlike the commercial streets of Stokes Croft, this is a neighbourhood where people live, and the street art reflects community values—environmental messages, local pride, playful humour.
Key areas: Focus on the streets around the City Farm and the climbing centre. Artworks are scattered rather than concentrated.
Getting there: Bus route 8 or 15 from city centre (15-20 minutes). Alternatively, it’s a 20-25 minute walk through residential streets.
Neighbourhood vibe: St Werburghs has independent cafés, a farm shop, and a community feel. It’s worth exploring beyond just the art.
Seasonal note: Some art is on residential walls—respect residents’ privacy and don’t trespass in gardens.
4. Bedminster
Bedminster is one of Bristol’s most exciting street art areas right now. The Southville area particularly has seen a explosion of creativity, with local businesses commissioning artists to transform their premises.
What makes Bedminster special is its community-driven approach. Unlike Stokes Croft (where art was largely initiated by artists), much of Bedminster’s street art comes from business owners actively commissioning artists, creating a more cohesive aesthetic.
Key areas: North Street and surrounding streets in Southville. Look for shop fronts, gable ends, and side streets.
Getting there: Bus routes 24, 75, 76, 77 from city centre (10-15 minutes).
Business engagement: Many businesses with street art are cafés, bars, or shops—support them while you admire the art.
Ongoing change: Bedminster’s street art scene is constantly evolving—new pieces appear regularly.
5. The Bearpit
The Bearpit is a sunken traffic circle in central Bristol that has been transformed from a no-go area into one of the city’s most vibrant street art spaces. The circular space is surrounded by walls that now feature an ever-changing gallery of artwork.
What makes the Bearpit special is its accessibility—it’s right in the city centre, making it an easy first stop on any street art tour. The art is varied, from large murals to smaller pieces, and the space has a buzz of activity with markets, events, and people passing through.
Key features: Walk around the entire circle—art on all walls, plus sculptures and installations in the centre.
Getting there: Central Bristol, walkable from most city centre locations (5-10 minutes).
Safety: The Bearpit has transformed but can still feel slightly intimidating at night. Visit during the day.
Community: The Bearpit hosts regular markets and events—check for special happenings during your visit.
6. Barton Hill
Barton Hill is a residential area with an extraordinary concentration of street art. Most famous is the Barton Hill Settlement community centre, whose walls feature one of Bristol’s most impressive street art collections—a veritable outdoor gallery curated over years by local artists.
What makes Barton Hill special is its authenticity. Unlike Stokes Croft or Nelson Street, which have been transformed into tourist attractions, Barton Hill’s street art serves the local community first, tourists second. This gives it a genuine, grassroots feel.
Key location: Barton Hill Settlement, Phil Street. The walls around the community centre feature numerous works.
Getting there: Bus route 6 from city centre (20-25 minutes) or a 30-40 minute walk.
Community respect: This is a working-class neighbourhood with genuine community spirit. Be respectful, don’t block pavements with photography.
Photography: The community centre walls offer excellent material. Explore the surrounding streets for additional pieces.
7. The Legal Walls
Bristol has several legal walls where artists can legally paint. These walls are constantly changing, with new works appearing regularly. They offer a chance to see artists in action and witness the street art process.
Key legal walls:
- The Bearpit: Walls surrounding the sunken circle
- Stokes Croft: Several legal walls where painting is permitted
- Montpelier: Legal walls on various residential streets
- Easton: Community walls where painting is encouraged
What to expect: You might see artists at work, particularly at weekends. Don’t interrupt artists while they’re painting—watch respectfully from a distance.
Photography: Legal walls are great for documenting the process of street art creation.
Etiquette: Don’t paint on walls yourself unless you have explicit permission. These are legal spaces, but that doesn’t mean anyone can paint anytime.
8. Upfest (Urban Paint Festival)
Upfest is Europe’s largest street art festival, held annually in Bristol’s Bedminster area. For one weekend in July, artists from around the world descend on Bedminster, painting dozens of new murals and transforming the neighbourhood into a living gallery.
What makes Upfest special is the scale and accessibility. During the festival, Bedminster becomes a pedestrian zone, and visitors can watch artists work, attend workshops, and experience street art in its purest form. The festival creates new artworks that remain visible year-round.
When: Usually mid-July (check Upfest website for exact dates). The festival runs over a long weekend.
Where: Bedminster area, particularly North Street and surrounding streets.
Cost: Free to attend. Some workshops and events have small charges.
Planning: Arrive early for best access. The festival attracts large crowds—be patient and respectful of artists working.
Year-round: Many Upfest pieces remain visible year-round, making a return visit worthwhile even outside the festival period.
9. Banksy Trail
This guide has focused on artists beyond Banksy, but Banksy’s Bristol roots are essential to understanding the city’s street art scene. Bristol has several original Banksy pieces, and seeing them helps contextualise the broader street art movement.
Key Banksy pieces in Bristol:
- The Mild Mild West: Stokes Croft. Famous teddy bear throwing Molotov cocktail.
- Well Hung Lover: Frogmore Street. Man hanging out window, naked with cherries.
- Paint-Pot Angel: Park Row. Angel with paint pot (weathered and partially lost).
- Girl with Balloon: Queen’s Road. (One of many versions worldwide).
Note: Banksy pieces are sometimes damaged, removed, or protected by glass/plastic. Check current status before visiting specific locations.
Photography: Banksy pieces are popular photo spots. Be patient and respectful of others waiting for photos.
Controversy: Banksy’s work sometimes provokes local debate—some see it as vandalism, others as art. Both perspectives have validity.
10. Street Art Walking Tour
For those who prefer a guided experience, Bristol’s street art scene is best explored with someone who knows the stories behind the works. Several companies offer walking tours led by local artists or street art enthusiasts.
Key tour operators:
Where the Wall: Run by street artists who’ve contributed to Bristol’s scene. Tours run regularly and include historical context, artist information, and visits to key areas. Approximately £15-20 per person.
Bristol Street Art Tours: Similar concept, different guides. Tours focus on Stokes Croft, Nelson Street, and other key areas. Approximately £12-18 per person.
What to expect: 2-3 hour walking tours covering 20-30 artworks. Guides explain techniques, artists, and stories behind individual pieces.
Booking: Book in advance, especially in summer. Tours run most days but spaces are limited.
Custom options: Some operators offer private or group tours if you’re visiting with a group.
Understanding Street Art Techniques
Different street art techniques create different effects:
Stencils: Banksy’s signature technique. Artist creates stencil, sprays paint through it onto wall. Quick, reproducible.
Freehand spray: Artists spray freehand, creating gradients, blends, and detailed work without stencils. Requires significant skill.
Wheatpaste: Artists create artwork on paper, then paste it onto walls using wheatpaste glue. Creates detailed, sometimes textured results.
Sticker art: Artists create stickers, often with political or humorous messages, and paste them in urban environments.
Mosaic: Using tiles to create large-scale works. Time-consuming but durable.
Street Art Photography Tips
Lighting: Early morning or late afternoon offers the best light. Harsh midday sun creates deep shadows that lose detail.
Framing: Include context—street furniture, pedestrians, buildings—to show street art in its environment.
Perspective: Try different angles—looking up at large pieces, including street level for smaller works.
Seasons: Street art looks different in different seasons and weather conditions. Sunny days reveal colours; overcast days show detail.
Respect: Don’t block pavements or interfere with other photographers. Many people photograph the same works.
Street Art Etiquette
Don’t touch: Oils from your hands can damage artwork. Keep a respectful distance.
Don’t add to: Unless you’re an invited artist, don’t add to or alter existing artwork.
Don’t remove: Taking pieces home is theft, even if the work appears abandoned.
Permission: Always ask before taking photos of people, especially if photographing artists at work.
Respect: Remember that much street art is on private property. Don’t trespass in gardens or buildings to photograph works.
Seasonal Street Art
Spring: Many artists work in spring as weather improves. New pieces appear regularly.
Summer: Peak season for street art. Artists work in good weather, and Upfest happens in July.
Autumn: Weather becomes less reliable, but many artists continue working. Some pieces weathered by rain and wind.
Winter: Fewer new pieces appear, but existing works take on a different character in winter light.
Combining Street Art with Other Activities
Independent cafés: Stokes Croft, St Werburghs, and Bedminster all have excellent independent cafés where you can rest and refuel.
Markets: The Bearpit hosts regular markets. Stokes Croft has occasional street markets.
Walking: Bristol is eminently walkable. Combine street art exploration with a broader city walk.
Boat trip: Bristol Harbour offers boat trips with views of waterside street art.
Bristol’s Street Art Community
What makes Bristol’s street art scene special isn’t just the artworks but the community that creates them. Unlike some cities where street art is individualistic, Bristol has a supportive, collaborative scene where artists work together, share techniques, and maintain relationships with property owners and the wider community.
This community focus is why Bristol’s street art continues to thrive. It’s not just about individual artists making names for themselves but about contributing to a broader visual culture that defines Bristol’s identity.
A Final Thought
Bristol’s street art scene is extraordinary not because of any single artist—though Banksy remains famous worldwide—but because of the depth and breadth of creative talent that calls the city home. From Stokes Croft’s vibrant galleries to Nelson Street’s massive murals, from community-led Bedminster to grassroots Barton Hill, Bristol offers one of the world’s most rich and varied street art experiences.
The key to enjoying Bristol’s street art is to explore beyond the obvious. Yes, see the famous Banksy pieces—they’re part of the story. But also spend time in Stokes Croft’s side streets, explore Bedminster’s business fronts, walk Barton Hill’s residential walls. That’s where the real magic happens, where local artists create works that speak to Bristol’s communities and define its urban character.
Street art is ephemeral—pieces weather, get painted over, disappear. That’s part of its beauty. But while they last, Bristol’s street artworks create an ever-changing outdoor gallery that’s free to visit, constantly surprising, and uniquely Bristol.
So grab your camera, put on comfortable shoes, and explore Britain’s street art capital. You’ll discover why Bristol isn’t just where Banksy started—it’s where street art lives and breathes.
This guide reveals Bristol’s thriving street art scene beyond Banksy, from Stokes Croft’s legendary walls to Nelson Street’s massive murals, from community-driven Bedminster to grassroots Barton Hill. Bristol’s street art ecosystem of local and international artists, legal walls, and community spaces makes it Britain’s street art capital. Explore beyond the famous Banksy pieces and discover Bristol’s vibrant street art culture.