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Home » Travel » Hey Street Art Fans, Here’s the One City You Need to See.

Hey Street Art Fans, Here’s the One City You Need to See.

September 7, 2017 City Guides, Travel

Yes, it’s the home of Banksy. Yes, there’s much more to it than that.

Explore the city’s top spots and find the most vibrant street art of Bristol, England with me now!

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A Guide to Bristol Street Art (And More)

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bristol street art guide - where to find street art in bristol

Of all the interests I’ve developed over the years, one I never expected to find myself enjoying so much is street art.

Most definitions make a distinction between street art and graffiti, though both are created in public spaces and often without permission. Among the differences: street art is constructive whereas graffiti is destructive, street art is about its audience whereas graffiti is about its artist. And while graffiti is often thought of as delinquent and defacing, street art is becoming prized, praised, and in some cases…sold in galleries.

I suppose what fascinates me most about street art is the manner in which it expresses the political and social issues of its environment. I’ve become more and more enthralled with street art living in San Francisco, but it all began with traveling.

So when I had the chance to visit Bristol, an English city known for its thriving street art scene (and one where the world’s most famous street artist got his start,) I set off on the quick train ride from London to see it for myself. I quickly learned that while Bristol isn’t as well-known to travelers, it’s beloved by Brits for its high-quality of life and has a ton of city pride. Aside from its rich local culture (they even have their own dialect and currency!) Bristol has grown to become the European capital of street art.

bristol street art guide

Start with a Bristol Walking Tour

The best introduction to Bristol’s street art is through Where the Wall Bristol walking tour. It’s a lively, educational, and thoroughly entertaining overview of the city’s past and present street art culture, created by people who actually know *gasp* Banksy and many of the other artists from the city. They also make a fantastic Bristol Street Art map you can purchase if you prefer to seek them out on your own.

When they called street art ‘a direct form of free expression in this world of decreasing artistic vocal platforms,’ I knew we were on the same page.

My tour began, fittingly, with a Banksy piece called “The Well-Hung Lover.” Now before you chuckle too much, have a look at the image, which was overwhelmingly voted by Bristolians to be preserved on its original wall:

Banksy Bristol - The Well-Hung Lover
Throughout the city you’ll find not only local artistic expression but also the commissioned works of some of the world’s most respected street artists.

Where to find street art in BristolUnique street art in BristolBest Bristol mural artistsBeautiful Bristol art on wall
Another favorite thing about street art is how public and accessible it makes art. It isn’t something just be viewed in a museum or put on a pedestal — it is a living, breathing form of expression and often a reflection of politics and culture.

Banksy in Bristol
My last point as to why street art is amazing (I swear:) it is impermanent. Though some works or spaces are untouched out of respect for the artist, many others consistently rotate and change. I love the idea that the artist creates knowing that his or her art may not last long; that’s not why they continue to create. It is materialized in a public space for the eyes of others, but there has to be detachment to the lasting nature of art painted on a shared surface.

Stokes Croft, Bristol, UK
Mild Mild West by Banksy
Breakdancing Jesus street art in Bristol, England
From Harbourside and the trendy Wapping Wharf to the Old City and elegant Clifton Village, there’s so much to explore in Bristol. But if street art is the focus of your day or your visit, here are the areas you’ll find most of it concentrated in:

Where to Find Bristol Street Art

Bristol Street Art
Stokes’ Croft and Gloucester Road

The Bohemian heart of Bristol that is almost like an outdoor gallery.

Nelson Street

Larger scale murals that create a visually fascinating downtown. Be sure to look up!

North Street

The area where Upfest, one of the largest street art festivals, is held — with some remnants of the work from it.

M Shed Museum

This worthwhile (free) museum tells the story of the city and has some preserved pieces (including Banksy’s Tesco Value Petrol Bomb and The Ferryman.) This was one of my favorite experiences in Bristol, and I almost overlooked it.

A Guide to Bristol Street Art

Banksy Bristol

You now know where to find his two most famous pieces — the Well-Hung Lover and Mild Mild West — above. Another worth seeking out is ‘The Girl with the Pierced Eardrum’ in Hanover Place. There are also other Banksys on outskirts of the city, as well as Bedminster where many new artists are emerging. The city is covered in street art, so you can always walk around and see what you can find yourself once you’ve got your bearings and context.

And I couldn’t leave you without some suggestions for where to eat and stay! Here’s where to fuel up in between all the walking you’ll be doing:

The Clifton Pub in Bristol


  

Bristol Restaurants I Loved:

  • St Nicholas Market (many delicious food options in the heart of Old City)
  • *The Canteen (an institution! Come for the food, drink, and live music)
  • *Shop 3 Bistro (comfort fine dining; when I asked a local their favorite hidden spot this was the answer!)
  • Pieminster (Savory pies)
  • Pinkmans (Bakery)
  • Thali Cafe (Indian, four locations in Bristol)
  • Little Victories (Coffee)
  • The Apple (Bristol’s floating bar)
  • *Bristol Cider Shop (amazing cider selection and friendly company)
  • The Milk Thistle (incredible cocktails at this Speakeasy)
  • *The Clifton (my favorite pub!)

*all of these are fantastic, but my personal favorites have the little star next to them!

Clifton Village, Bristol
Best Bristol Accommodation:

(High-end) Hotel du Vin (boutique style + a focus on wine never hurts.)
(Mid-range) Brooks Guesthouse (Stay in an airstream on the roof like I did!)
(Backpacker) Full Moon Backpackers (room decorated by street artists!)

Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol, UK

Bristol Sightseeing

  • The SS Great Britain (Harbourside)
  • Clifton Suspension Bridge (Clifton)
  • Colorful houses and cozy cafes of Clifton (a very charming part of town.)
  • Take one of the ferries across the harbour (if the weather is nice!)
  • See the views from Cabot Tower

For more of the best things to do in Bristol, check out this post from local blog Bridges and Balloons.

Bristol, St Nicholas Market
No matter what part of the city you choose to explore, there’s no doubt you’ll get a taste of what makes the city so exciting. The culture and creativity feels like energy pulsing in the streets, yet you still get the calm of the surrounding countryside.

That said, what stands out to me most about Bristol is how much the people who live there seem to love it. Just as New York City is not what most of America is like, I really believe it’s important to venture outside of London to see more of the U.K. (Guilty as charged!)

You won’t see as many tourists here, but you will see the famous Bristol street art…and experience a bit more of British daily life and all that makes this country one of my very favorites. <3

Disclosure: My trip to Bristol was made possible by a partnership with Visit Britain and British Airways. All thoughts and opinions shared here are truly and strictly my own.

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A Guide to Bristol Street Art

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About Anne

Anne Lowrey is an award-winning travel writer based in San Francisco.

After spending a year in the world, she insisted on building a life at home she loved as much as she loves travel. The result was a move to SF, which she affectionately calls her “soul city.” She believes in the balance of and connection between time spent at home and abroad.

Comments

  1. Jennifer says

    November 11, 2017 at 5:22 pm

    I am amazed by seeing these art pictures

    Reply
    • Anne says

      November 25, 2017 at 3:38 pm

      I’m so glad you liked them, Jennifer! Bristol is full of amazing art.

      Reply
  2. Josephine says

    November 25, 2017 at 3:37 pm

    I really love your style of writing. Thanks for writing about Bristol – I definitely want to check it out!

    Reply
    • Anne says

      November 25, 2017 at 3:38 pm

      Thanks so much, Josephine! Hope you enjoy Bristol as much as I did!

      Reply
  3. Greg Stevenson says

    March 22, 2019 at 8:33 am

    So glad you enjoyed Bristol. I was born in Bath (20 miles away) and these are my two favourites cities in the UK. Bath for beautiful Georgian architecture and Bristol (or Brizzle as the locals call it) for an amazing vibrancy.

    BTW there is no local dialect or currency. Just a slight accent like you might hear in S Carolina. Go Back! make sure you take the train to Bath and look in on the Roman baths there!

    x

    Reply
    • Anne says

      April 5, 2019 at 2:13 pm

      Ah I loved Bath, which visited on a prior trip, too! Bristol and Bath are both fantastic. I hope to be back soon.
      Thanks for reading!

      Reply

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