The Insider Guide to the Bristol Street Art Scene

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Lucas Antics, Burning Candy and of course Banksy – are all synonymous with the vibrant and sometimes controversial Bristol Street Art scene. And all have roots linking them to the cultural quarter; Stokes Croft, Bristol.

The Stokes Croft street art acne is thriving. Stokes Croft and neighbouring Montpelier have always been the underdogs of the city. Although in recent years, have had a bit of a resurgence. Every Bristolian knows Stokes Croft, the good and the bad bits, however, under its gritty facade, the area is one of the more soulful parts of Bristol.

I went on a walking tour with a local guide to discover more about the messages behind the Stokes Croft graffiti scene and how it evolved to be the thriving cultural hub it is today.

A woman standing on the corner looking at the murals painted on the walls — ^{_{he playground for street artists, artwork is frequently painted over, Picton Lane}}

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Street Art in Stokes Croft, Bristol

Stokes Croft is home to the highest concentration of street art in the City. The most iconic artist on the Bristol street art scene is Banksy, you’ll spot his work all over Bristol, including Stokes Croft.

Bristolians have seen Stokes Croft and Montpelier evolve over the years and over the last decade have seen a boom in independently run businesses crop up; cafes, restaurants and shops selling locally made and sourced products.

Stokes Croft is also home to a group of activists called The People’s Republic of Stokes Croft (PRSC) who back community-based projects with the goal of keeping the soul of Stokes Croft alive for the people who reside in the area.

A vibrant murals wrote a quote on the wall of the building — ^{_{Murals written on the walls of the PRSC}}

Insider Guide to the Bristol Street Art Scene

Everyone has their opinion of Stokes Croft & Montpelier, including property developers and investors.

They see some of the buildings as opportunities to create modern hipster-style accommodation (pricing out the local residents) and to redevelop parts of Stokes Croft to get rid of the gritty appearance of the area and to make it more attractive for a new swathe of non-locals to the area and in turn, destroying Stokes Croft soul.

Outside the PRSC you’ll find the ‘news’ wall and murals. This allows anyone who doesn’t have access to a TV or Radio, such as the homeless, to have access to the latest news.

It’s the people of Stokes Croft who have to make Stokes Croft unique. It’s easy to fall in love with the curiosity of this diverse, artsy, slightly quirky soulful little gem of a place.

If you are visiting the City of Bristol, I highly recommend you head to Stokes Croft, Montpelier and Gloucester Road.

Spend some time checking out the uniqueness of the areas, each very different, but each home to locals who live and work there, all three areas still hold on to their community feel as well as being refreshingly non-commercial.

The Wild wild west is on a wall painted with murals outside of Hamilton House — ^{_{Bristol’s most famous street artist, Banksy has worked all over the city. The Wild Wild West is on a wall outside Hamilton House}}

Stokes Croft Street Art – Bristol Street Art Scene and Its People

Stokes Croft is just a single road, however, over the years it affectionally evolved to become the name of the area that spans all the way from ‘The Bear Pit’ (don’t worry, there aren’t actually any bears here!), heading out of the City centre up to where Cheltenham Road starts.

'The Little Shop' on the junction where Stokes Croft and Cheltenham Road meet with people passing by — ^{_{‘The Little Shop’ on the junction where Stokes Croft and Cheltenham Road meet. The shop features artwork by Lucas Antics}}

Getting Under the Skin of Stokes Croft

Local photographer, and guide for the day, Colin Moody, became fascinated with the range of characters and people who reside or work in Stokes Croft and Montpelier.

Initially taking photographs of ‘classic’ Bristol (think Balloons, the Suspension Bridge, The Downs), he branched towards people as his subject.

Colin aims to capture the story behind the character and document this in his photos, he’s driven by the stories behind the people and delves beyond what you would see on the surface.

‘I wanted to represent 80 different walks of life’ says Colin who spent over a year following, talking to, and understanding the people who feature in his book.

It was through images of this on his Instagram account that he commissioned for his book; ‘Stokes Croft and Montpelier’.

With such a knowledgeable guide, it’s fair to say I was in pretty good hands to discover the soul of Stokes Croft and what makes it tick.

The materials and equipment used for Street Artists — ^{_{The PRSC provide equipment and materials for Street Artists}}

"Beauty from Ashes" store with a "Stokes Crofts" painted Infront of the building — ^{_{‘Beauty from Ashes’}}

Discover the Cultural Quarter of Bristol to see the stunning street art and learn about how Stokes Croft Bristol has become the City's Hippest area and why the Bristol Street Art scene is so important here. #Bristol #StreetArt #VisitBritain — ^{_{Outside the PRSC showing the ‘news’ wall and murals. This allows anyone who doesn’t have access to a TV or Radio, such as the homeless, to have access to the latest news.}}

A Very Brief History of Stokes Croft

The areas of Stokes Croft and Montpelier have always fallen outside of the main city of Bristol. Up to the mid-1800s, the area was nothing much more than fields. Then from the 1850s Victorian Britain, the area saw a boom in development, and the city started to spread.

However, it was always an area of miscellany having been dubbed an area where ‘…a surprisingly diverse range of tenants…’ reside, way back in the 1800s – not much has changed!

During World War 2, the area was badly damaged. This led to a post-war redevelopment of social housing, which you will see in the streets around the Stokes Croft area.

The area fell into dilapidation with shops and businesses closing down. With little money being pumped into the area, the abandoned buildings became a bit of a haven for graffiti artists who would use the area as their playground. And voila! The Bristol street art scene was born.

A street full of colorful arts and murals painted on the walls — _{^{Hepburn Road gained its name ‘Crack Alley’ after appearing on a TV show}}

How Stokes Croft and Montpelier Become So Vibrant

With the absence of new developments from big corporations, the value of property in the area stayed affordable. This gave the perfect opportunity for small businesses and artists to move into the area due to cheap rent, and so Bristol’s cultural quarter was born.

In more recent years, this surge in independent style and hipster culture has meant that Stokes Croft is THE place to be in the city. As a consequence, it’s pushing up property prices making housing unaffordable to the locals (a bit like what happened with Spitalfields in London).

^{_{Large skull by street artist Toof which was painted on Westmoreland House}}

The people are the soul of the area, so the PRSC (Peoples Republic of Stokes Croft) are billing hard to keep the property developers and commercialism out.

Frequently political graffiti will line the streets and buildings. The iconic artwork on abandoned Westmoreland House is donned with the work of Rowdy (Crocodile) and Toof (Skull) and is flagged for redevelopment which locals worry will change the area.

Update: Since first writing this article, the developers won and Westmoreland House was demolished.

Westmoreland House clad with scaffolding and street art scenes painted on different walls of the building — ^{_{Westmoreland House clad with scaffolding awaiting its fate}}

Unapologetically Stokes Croft

Stokes Croft isn’t pretending to be anything it’s not, it’s unapologetic honesty showing its warts and all.

The haters of the area will say it has ‘major problems with crime and drugs’ (the infamous ‘Crack Alley’ aka Hepburn Road is situated here). True, parts of it are very run down and crime including stabbings and muggings is higher here compared to other parts of the city. However, these are still very isolated incidents.

The lovers of Stokes Croft will argue that it’s the only area in Bristol that encourages freedom of expression in terms of speech, imagery and music, where people can communicate openly about local and worldwide issues.

This is what led to the area becoming the Cultural Quarter of the city – it’s blissfully vibrant, a stimulus for the senses – and that’s nothing to do with the smell of weed in the area!

Things to Do in Stokes Croft Bristol

Although you could spend hours browsing the independent shops and cafes, there are points of interest in Stokes Croft Bristol.

Here’s what to look out for.

Turbo Island

To most, this is nothing more than a little triangular patch of grass in Stokes Croft. Before WW2, a shoe repair shop stood here, after the war, it was never rebuilt.

The quirky name of this patch of grass apparently comes from the super strong cider that homeless people could be seen drinking here. For many, it’s the central area of Stokes Croft, you will often see street art donning the wall here with political messages.

Sometimes pop-up stalls and bands are playing too! Turbo Island near the PRSC is at the heart of Stokes Croft, the frequently changing murals often have political statements in them.

Turbo Island painted a yellow drawings and colorful mural arts — ^{_{Turbo Island neat to the PRSC is at the heart of Stokes Croft, the frequently changing murals often have political statements in them.}}

Hamilton House & The Canteen

Once an office block, but now a hub for anything artsy or community-based. Inside there’s a wall covered in community notices of up-and-coming events ranging from talks, meetings, local services, poetry readings, yoga classes etc.

If it’s not on the board, it ain’t happening.

Hamilton House is also home to resident artists, a gallery and a shop selling all things locally made. The Canteen, situated on the ground level, is a lively bar and eatery.

Outside, on the decked area you’ll find two of Bristol’s more iconic murals; one of Jesus and the iconic ‘Mild Mild West’ by Banksy.

Giant Jesus mural painted on upside down outside of Hamilton House — ^{_{Giant Jesus mural outside of Hamilton House}}

Art inside the Hamilton House gallery painted by a local artist — ^{_{Inside Hamilton House is a gallery, this piece was by local artist, Lucas Antix}}

Picton Street

Just a stone’s throw from the main high street is Picton Street. Home to cute and colourful houses, yoga studios, artist galleries and THE best Italian deli in town.

Look out for the ‘we are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars’ quote by Oscar Wilde, a mural by Lucas Antix

A colorful quote mural 'We are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars' — ^{_{‘We are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars’ quote by Oscar Wilde, mural by Lucas Antix}}

The studio, gallery, and shop of Lucas Antix is at the end of Picton Street with a large black cat the counter — ^{_{The studio, gallery, and shop of Lucas Antix is at the end of Picton Street}}

Picton Lane

Just off Picton Street head down the little alleyway aptly called Picton Lane. Keep walking down this lane to discover the ‘practice area’.

The walls along this little lane and alley are covered in smaller murals and motifs and is where street artists have practised their trade.

Picton Lane full of colorful murals featuring a large bird painted on a wall — ^{_{Picton Lane is full of colourful murals,}}

The Old England, Pub

Tucked away in a corner of a street near Montpelier Health Centre you’ll find the oldest pub in the area.

Stokes Croft China

Selling straight-to-the-point, tongue-in-cheek and kitsch china items. Often with quotes summing up the whole freedom of speech and thoughts that the PRSC encourages. Locally designed and made on-site.

Stokes Croft China sells kitsch Bristol-themed china items made on-site. Items also have the ethos of the PRSC on the freedom of speech and thought decorating their products

Stokes Croft sell a cup with Bristol theme — _{^{Stokes Croft China sell kitsch Bristol-themed china items made on-site}}

A tea pot with paint quotes saying "Would those who say it can't be done please stand clear of those doing it" — _{^{Items also have the ethos of the PRSC on the freedom of speech and thought decorating their products}}

Bristol Street Art Around Stokes Croft

You won’t get far in Stokes Croft and Montpelier without seeing some outstanding street art. The PRSC provide materials and equipment to local artists to make them accessible to everyone.

Stokes Croft Mural News is written high up on a wall so it’s visible from the street. Part of the reasoning behind this is so that homeless people in the area can access local and international news. Lots of the content is politically based and the content on the wall changes every few weeks.

Look out for the….

Giant Skull (Rowdy) and Crocodile (Toof) on Westmoreland House (Update: Now demolished)
Mild Mild West by Banksy on Hamilton House
Jesus on Hamilton House
Hepburn Road aka Crack Alley – a mixture of street art, tagging and stickers
Lucas Antix – On numerous building facades in the area.
Picton Lane – Just off Picton Street, the walls along this lane and alleyway are covered in smaller murals and images

Update: Since the first publication of this article, a lot of this artwork will have changed. That’s one of the beauties of street art – it’s ever-evolving.

Me standing at the center with open arms with a background of colorful artwork all over Stokes Croft — ^{_{Colourful artwork can be found all over Stokes Croft}}

A large street art in Stokes Croft painted in a spacious walls — _{^{Different styles of street art in Stokes Croft}}

Cartoon style street art in Stokes Croft — _{^{Cartoon-style street art in Stokes Croft}}

Soulful Stories of Stokes Croft & Montpelier

If you want to find out more about the stories surrounding the people of Stokes Croft, check out Colin Moody’s photobook.

His subjects come from all walks of life ranging from the homeless, local artists, refugees, musicians, people who work in the area and residents who have lived in Stokes Croft and Montpelier for their whole lives.

‘…connecting with new people and places is more important than ever, and photography has the power to take us out of our comfort zone and to challenge us to look deeper into our communities.’
Colin Moody

As you page through the book, you’ll quickly see that it’s not just about Bristol Street Art. ‘Stokes Croft and Montpelier’ is full of images celebrating the people of the area; social documentary photography.

Some of the notable images in the book are of a photo montage from all the staff who work at the Montpelier Health Centre, ‘End Austerity’ Protest March preparations from the PRSC yard and the tongue-in-cheek Graffiti conversation. The book is full of thought-provoking images.

The photobook by Colin Moody, titled ‘Stokes Croft & Montpelier’ can be purchased at The Arnolfini Gallery, Waterstones or Foyles in Bristol. Alternatively, it can be bought online directly through The History Press or this link to his Stokes Croft and Montpelier book.

If you are interested in finding out more about the people and the stories surrounding Stokes Croft, as well as checking out some of the amazing street art, Colin Moody is available for talks and tours of the area.

Stokes Croft Graffiti and Street Art – FAQs

Ready to delve into the vibrant and expressive Strokes Croft street art scene? Here are some answers to questions that will help your visit.

Where Can I Find Banksy Street Art in Bristol?

Banksy’s street art can be found in various locations throughout Bristol, with Stokes Croft being a prominent area to spot some of his iconic pieces. The “Mild, Mild West” and “The Well-Hung Lover” are among his notable artworks in the city.

Where Can I See Street Art in Stokes Croft?

In Stokes Croft, you can find Bristol graffiti and other amazing street art adorning walls, buildings, and shop shutters throughout the neighbourhood. Must-visit spots include Turbo Island, Hamilton House, and various side streets where artists have left their creative marks.

Why Is There So Much Graffiti in Bristol?

Bristol’s art scene, inclusive culture, and support for street art have contributed to the abundance of graffiti in the city. The city has a rich history of embracing street art as a form of expression, attracting both local and international artists to leave their mark on the walls and streets of Bristol.

Who Owns Turbo Island?

Turbo Island originated from a building that was bombed during World War II and left unreconstructed. In the 1960s, it transformed into an advertising hoarding, which is now under the ownership of London-based billboard advertiser ‘Wildstone’.

What Do You Think of the Stokes Croft Street Art Scene?

The Stokes Croft street art scene is a vibrant and dynamic expression of Bristol’s artistic culture.

Besides enjoying street art, there are plenty of other things to do in Stokes Croft, such as visiting trendy cafes, browsing independent shops, and experiencing the vibrant nightlife.

Whether you’re an art enthusiast or just looking to immerse yourself in the creative atmosphere, Stokes Croft has something to offer for everyone!

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The Insider Guide to the Bristol Street Art Scene: Stokes Croft Bristol

Street Art in Stokes Croft, Bristol

Insider Guide to the Bristol Street Art Scene