Banksy's Bristol street art
Bristol is Banksy's home city and several of his original works survive on its walls. The best starting point is Well Hung Lover, seen from the bridge on Park Street, followed by Mild Mild West in Stokes Croft and The Girl with the Pierced Eardrum near the harbourside.
What it is and why it matters
Well Hung Lover appeared in 2006 on the side of a former sexual health clinic on Frogmore Street. After residents backed it in an online poll, the council granted retrospective permission, making it the first legal street art mural in the UK. It was hit by blue paintballs in 2009, and some of the splashes remain. Mild Mild West is on Stokes Croft, while The Girl with the Pierced Eardrum is near Bristol Marina. Inside M Shed museum you can see his Grim Reaper.
Visiting practicalities
The works are outdoors and free to see, spread across the city centre and harbourside, so plan a walking route to link the main pieces. Visit Bristol lists a self-guided walking trail, guided street art tours, an audio tour app and the Banksy Bristol Trail app with an interactive map. Some earlier works, such as Aachoo!! in Totterdown, have gone, so check a current map before you set out. Well Hung Lover is about five metres up a wall and is best viewed from the Park Street bridge.
Nearby and combining your visit
Stokes Croft is packed with work by other street artists, and the harbourside route to the Girl with the Pierced Eardrum passes M Shed, so it is easy to combine both.
Highlights
- Well Hung Lover (2006), the UK's first legally kept street art mural
- Mild Mild West on Stokes Croft
- The Girl with the Pierced Eardrum near Bristol Marina
- Banksy's Grim Reaper on display inside M Shed
Good to know
- All outdoor works are free to see
- Guided tours, audio tours and trail apps are available
- Some works have been removed; check a current trail map
- Well Hung Lover is best seen from the Park Street bridge
Frequently asked questions
Sources: visitbristol.co.uk · en.wikipedia.org