Banksy in Bristol: 3 Walking Tours (With Printable Maps!)

Do you fancy heading out on a self-guided Banksy walking tour of Bristol? Read on for three different routes you can take and street art maps for each of them…

Banksy & Bristol

Did you know that world-renowned street artist, Banksy, had some very humble beginnings?

He (or she) was born in the very cool and quirky city of Bristol, England in the 1970s, and grew to be what is now possibly the most famous street artist in the world, with works now selling for obscene amounts of money.

Although his work can now be found in auctions, as well as out on the streets of places like London, Los Angeles and New York City, Bristol in the UK is home to a number of Banksy’s earlier works.

And it’s just one of many great things about living in Bristol!

This blog aims to equip you with the knowledge you need to embark on a self-guided Banksy walking tour (for free) of either 0.5 miles, 3 miles or 4.5 miles, and includes custom street art tour maps (previews below):

Bristol Banksy Walking Tour – 0.5 Miles – Stokes Croft

This short half-mile walk takes you through possibly one of the coolest areas of Bristol – Stokes Croft. It’ll take you about 45 minutes depending on how long you hang out in pubs.

Here, you’ll find three Banksy murals as well as lots of other pieces by lesser-known street artists. You also have the option to chill out in the popular drinking hole, The Canteen, which is also home to a Banksy work of art.

Why not try this walk as an epic Bristol date idea?

You’ll find a street art tour map of the Banksy murals found on this 0.5 mile walk beneath the photos and descriptions of the Banksy murals you’ll see on this walk.

1. Blowpop Records

This stencil mural was originally designed as album artwork, of which there are less than 100 surviving copies… and one street art version right here in Bristol.

This stencil is now a little difficult to see, and the last time we saw it, it was behind some security fencing due to building works. But if you look closely, you can just make it out!

Banksy Address Book:

Cave St
Bristol
BS2 8RU

If you’re getting thirsty already, might I suggest you make a quick pit stop at Cosie’s? It’s a cute little bar in a cellar, which comes complete with caves outside and a very cosy feel inside.

2. The Mild Mild West

This mural is right on the side of a building overlooking The Canteen’s beer garden, a very popular spot for both food and drink.

I’d definitely recommend resting here with a cider and some delicious grub (food).

If the weather’s nice, sit out in the beer garden and you’ll be able to stare at Banksy’s ‘The Mild Mild West’ for as long as you like (or at least until closing time).

Banksy Address Book:

The Canteen
Hamilton House
80 Stokes Croft
Bristol
BS1 3QY

3. Rose on a Mousetrap

Found on the side of someone’s home, more than 20 local residents are said to have put their money together to buy a frame for this particular mural, (to protect it from vandalism), making this one of the best-preserved pieces in Bristol.

I think it’s safe to say that everyone’s super proud that Banksy comes from Bristol – so don’t you forget it!

Banksy Address Book:

Thomas Street North
Bristol
BS6 5TN

Check out our map here to see an option to print it from Google. And if you also want a PDF printout of all the Banksy addresses included below, you can sign up for it here!

UPDATE (May 2023):
Back in 2019, we updated these Banksy walking tours to remove two murals we’d initially included.

‘Take The Money And Run’ at 33 Bath Buildings was sadly graffitied over in 2019; a reader kindly shared a photo of how it looked when they visited in the blog comments below, so you can see why we decided to remove the mural from our tours.

Two other readers also contacted us in May 2023 to confirm the mural is sadly still graffitied over.

We’d also included a bonus mural in this short walk for ‘Elephant Missile’, which was at 4 Balmoral Road. That one has unfortunately also been painted over, this time in thick red paint, so you can no longer see it at all.

It’s a real shame that this has happened to such historic Banksy murals, however, we’ve still left the photos of them below so you can see how they used to look in their prime…

Take The Money And Run (Graffitied Over)

Banksy’s ‘Take The Money And Run’ is one of his earliest known works, and was created in collaboration with Inky and Mobz.

As per the update above, it was graffitied over in 2019. A reader kindly shared a photo in the blog comments below so you can see how it looked when they visited… such a shame!

We’ve also had other readers contact us in May 2023 to confirm the mural is still graffitied over.

Banksy Address Book:

33 Bath Buildings
Bristol
BS6 5PT

Elephant Missile (Painted Over)

This Banksy mural was a tiny piece that used to pack a huge message, and you would likely have walked right by it when it was here.

It used to be on the side of a house, right under the St. Andrews Road sign, however, it has since been painted over.

In the photo above taken a few years ago, you can just about see that this mural used to depict an elephant carrying a missile. 

Banksy Address Book:

4 Balmoral Rd
Bristol
BS7 9AZ

Need more Banksy in your life? Check out this photo essay of a Banksy exhibition in Amsterdam!

Bristol Banksy Walking Tour – 3 Miles – Central Bristol

This slightly longer 3 mile walk takes you through Central Bristol and around the Harbourside to see some of Banksy’s more famous Bristol murals and takes about 2 hours to complete.

You’ll also finish at one of the best restaurants in this area for food, which has cuisine from a number of different regions from around the world!

Once again, we’ve created a street art tour map, which you’ll find beneath the photos and descriptions listed below.

1. Paint Pot Angel

Found inside the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, this is actually not a mural, but a statue and again, a must for Banksy fans.

But don’t worry! This museum is free to explore, and alongside this Banksy masterpiece, you’ll find loads more awesome artwork!

Banksy Address Book:

Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
Queens Rd
Bristol
BS8 1RL

2. Well-Hung Lover

What a name, eh? This is Banksy at his finest, playing on words to his heart’s content!

And the best bit? This mural is on the side of a sexual health clinic – how’s that for strategic placement?

Sadly, since the mural was painted, it’s been shot at with a paintball gun… so you’ll spot a slightly different mural from the one shown above today.

Banksy Address Book:

Frogmore Street
Bristol
BS1 5NA

3. Grim Reaper

This haunting piece was originally painted on the side of Thekla – a boat housing a bar and restaurant.

To help protect it from wear and decay from the harbour, the piece was moved to Bristol’s M Shed and is on display for everyone to see for free there. 

Banksy Address Book:

M Shed
Wapping Wharf
Bristol
BS1 4RN

4. Girl with a Pierced Eardrum

When I first found this mural, I had no idea it was by Banksy, and listed it as one of my top discoveries in Bristol.

At the time, I just thought how clever it was! I’ve since found out that it’s a Banksy mural from 2014.

Banksy Address Book:

Albion Dockyard
Hanover Place
Bristol
BS1 6UT

5. You Don’t Need Planning Permission to Build Castles in the Sky

Perhaps one of Banksy’s simplest works of art, yet one that conveys so much meaning – proof that Banksy is a true artist.

This piece simply quotes: “You don’t need planning permission to build castles in the sky”, shaped like a smiling face.

Banksy Address Book:

99 Lower Lamb Street
Bristol
BS1 5QR

Check out our walking tour map to see an option to print it from Google. And if you also want a PDF printout of all the Banksy addresses included below, you can sign up for it here!

After your walk, I’d recommend having dinner at Za Za Bazaar, a very popular place with tourists and locals alike here in Bristol.

They offer different cuisines from around the world including Italian, American, Asian, British and Indian and are an “all you can eat” buffet-style place.

They even have an island dedicated to desserts! If you want to find out more about this quirky restaurant, take a look at our Bristol city guide.

Looking for more things to do in Bristol? Check out this epic list of 75 things you must do in Bristol!

Bristol Banksy Walking Tour – 4.5 Miles – Stokes Croft and Easton

This is a much longer walk that includes some of the murals found on the half-mile walk, but also takes you out to a couple of Bristol suburbs where you’ll find another couple of Banksy’s more famous Bristol murals.

You’ll need 3-4 hours to complete this walk. And you’ll end your walk in Cabot Circus, where I’d recommend checking out the various restaurants found here – you’re sure to find something you like, even Vegan and Gluten-free!

As this is a longer walk, you’re going to need your sustenance! If you haven’t yet had lunch, I’d recommend starting at Biblos for delicious wraps. The jerk pork wrap is particularly tasty!

Psst! Don’t forget to check out our Banksy walking tour map. You’ll find it below the following photos and mural descriptions!

1. The Mild Mild West

Found on the side of a building overlooking a popular bar called The Canteen, is one of Banksy’s more famous Bristol murals.

Plus, it’s handy being able to stop off for a drink or a bite to eat here if you want, while looking up at a Banksy masterpiece.

Banksy Address Book:

The Canteen
Hamilton House
80 Stokes Croft
Bristol
BS1 3QY

2. Rose on a Mousetrap

It’s said that at least 20 residents put their money together to help protect this mural from vandals with a glass and wooden frame; making this one of Bristol’s most preserved Banksy murals.

It’s found on the side of someone’s home and with the frame around it, you can’t miss it!

Banksy Address Book:

Thomas Street North
Bristol
BS6 5TN

3. Blowpop Records

This small mural was originally designed as a limited-edition album sleeve.

Although the stencil is difficult to see nowadays and is obscured slightly by fencing, you can still make it out if you look closely.

Banksy Address Book:

Cave St
Bristol
BS2 8RU

Whilst you’re here, I’d also recommend a stop off at Cosie’s – a cute bar found in a cellar, which is just as cosy as the name suggests.

4. Graffiti Cat and Dog

Another of Banksy’s earliest works, this piece can be found alongside loads of different street art pieces.

This makes it the perfect spot for creating a colourful Bristol photo essay or simply admiring the best of local art.

Banksy Address Book:

Corner of Robertson Road and Foster Street
Easton
Bristol
BS5 6JE

5. Masked Gorilla (No Longer There)

This final Banksy mural has an interesting story to tell. Although it’s an early Banksy masterpiece, it was accidentally painted over in 2011 and later restored. However, we understand it now does not exist at all.

Banksy Address Book:

Fishponds Road
Eastville
Bristol
BS5 6PN

Check out our map here to see an option to print it from Google. And if you also want a PDF printout of all the Banksy addresses included below, you can sign up for it here!

After your walk, you’ll probably need to make your way back to the City Centre.

I’d recommend you head to Cabot Circus shopping centre, which has an upper level dedicated to restaurants and fast food places.

From Italian, to American, to Asian, there are lots of food choices here so you’re sure to find something you like, including Vegan and Gluten-free friendly options!

Banksy Bristol Update (May 2023)

Back in 2019, we found out that ‘Take The Money And Run’ at 33 Bath Buildings was sadly graffitied over.

A reader kindly shared a photo of how it looked when they visited in the blog comments below, so you can see why we decided to remove the mural from our tours.

We’ve also been contacted by other readers in May 2023 to confirm the mural is still graffitied over.

It’s a real shame that this has happened to such a historic Banksy mural, however, we’ve still left the photos of it below so you can see how it used to look in its prime…

Take The Money And Run (Graffitied Over)

One of Banksy’s earlier works, ‘Take The Money And Run’ was created in collaboration with Inky and Mobz…

Although it was in really good condition when we saw it a couple of years ago, a couple of readers have since found out that the mural has been graffitied over.

One of those awesome readers (thanks Jim!) kindly shared a photo in the blog comments below so you can see how it looked when he visited… such a shame! 

Banksy Address Book:

33 Bath Buildings
Bristol
BS6 5PT

Moving to Bristol? Read more in this detailed expat guide to colourful Bristol!

Banksy Bristol Update (February 2020)

You may have heard that a brand new Banksy appeared in Bristol just before Valentine’s Day 2020.

Although it was vandalised within just a couple of days, which Banksy is apparently happy about, we managed to snap a quick photo of it before then.

The mural has since been boarded over so we’ll be keeping an eye on it to see what happens next.

As soon as the mural is back on display (and ideally restored), we’ll update our Banksy walking tours to include it.

For now, though, we thought you’d like to see what it looked like pre-vandalism:

I hope this Banksy walking tour guide comes in handy when you next visit Bristol! Which walk do you think you might head on first? Feel free to jot down a few notes in the comments, or if you’ve still got questions, then let me know!

And did you remember to check out our walking tour maps and handy PDF? Grab your maps here, or sign up for the PDF version now!

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