Bristol is regarded as the street art capital of England with numerous artworks by Banksy and quality murals by local and international artists. Matt from BA Street Art visited Stokes Croft last week and photographed some eye-catching murals in the area.
‘The Mild Mild West‘ mural by Banksy in Stokes Croft (photo © BA Street Art)
Stokes Croft is a road in Bristol and the name given to the district between St. Paul’s and Kingsdown. It’s regarded as the epicentre of street art and counterculture in Bristol. One of the most iconic artworks is ‘The Mild Mild West‘ mural by Banksy painted in 1999 on the side of a building at 80 Stokes Croft, now called The Canteen. It features a hows a teddy bear throwing a Molotov cocktail at riot police. Our understanding is it’s a representation of the people’s right to protest and relates to rave culture and demonstrations in Bristol in the 1990s with young people clashing with police.
Mural by Stinkfish on corner of City Road (photo © BA Street Art)
Stinkfish painted an eye-catching mural known as ‘The Yellow Lady’ on the corner of Stokes Croft and City Road in 2012. The mural project was organised by gallery owner Vince John who later invited the Colombian street artist back to Bristol to repaint the artwork in 2021.
Mural by Phlegm (photo © BA Street Art)
Sheffield-born street artist Phlegm visited Stokes Croft to paint a large mural on Hillgrove Street in 2008. The artwork was later painted over by the MM13 crew with Phlegm then returning to add some of his black and white characters featuring one with a telescope to the composition.
Mural by Alexandra Lucas (photo © BA Street Art)
Bristol street artist and illustrator Alexandra Lucas transformed the facade of this building (above) at 68 Stokes Croft in 2018. The colourful mural features marine life including a shark, a jellyfish, tropical fish with corals and anemones.
Mr Cenz mural relating to BLM (photo © BA Street Art)
In 2021, Mr Cenz painted a powerful mural of Jen Reid who stood on the plinth of the Edward Colston statue in Bristol when it was toppled during the Black Lives Matter protest in Bristol. The artwork can be found on the side of The Best Supermarket at 82 Stokes Croft.
Turbo Island (photo © BA Street Art)
Turbo Island
Turbo Island is a triangular plot of land located on at the intersection of Stokes Croft and Jamaica Street. It’s not in fact an island but a ‘mythical’ spot where locals gather for street parties, music performances, protests, informal and spontaneous events. Rumours are that Banksy bought the site for twice its value when it was under threat of being sold to developers. The big wall on the junction is also well known for artists painting graffiti pieces and creating paste-ups and stencils with Banksy himself painting a series of rat stencils here in the past. The giant billboard is often painted by graffiti artists or covered with posters to promote local gigs and music events.
Jamaica Street Studios (photo © BA Street Art)
Jamaica Street
Jamaica Street Studios is a complex with more than 30 artists workshops dedicated to painting, printmaking, sculpture, illustration, film and textiles. The studios at 46 Jamaica Street on the site of the former coach-building factory is run on a not-for-profit basis to support artists and public access to art. An old artwork by Sweet Toof can be seen on one side of the building.
Artwork with graffiti letters reading PRSC on Jamaica St. (photo © BA Street Art)
Many murals can be also seen decorating the buildings along and off Jamaica street. This artwork above features graffiti lettering with the initials PRSC referring to Peoples Republic of Stokes Croft and a cartoon koala painted by Dazcat.
Snakes & Ladders artwork with graffiti letters PLB on Jamaica St. (photo © BA Street Art)
Also on the same block was a fun snakes and ladders graffiti piece featuring the letters PLB.
Painted doors on Jamaica St. (photo © BA Street Art)
The fronts of these two houses (above) on Jamaica Street have been given a new look with a series of flowers painted on the walls and doors.
Butterflies mural by E5 Creatives on Hillgrove St. (photo © BA Street Art)
A group of more than 30 volunteers called E5 Creatives painted a mural entitled ‘Metamorphosis on the corner of Hillgrove Street in 2020. The theme features a series of butterflies and crystal formations relating to change and diversity.
Masters of the Universe mural by Janey (photo © BA Street Art)
Love this cartoon mural by Janey that appears to have been inspired by He-Man and The Masters of the Universe with Castle Grayskull in the background and a skeleton riding a green horse.
Tribute to Gerald Valentine Phillips by Vandalist (photo © BA Street Art)
Artist Vandalist painted a moving tribute to community figure Gerald Valentine Phillips in 2025 on the front of these shutters of this local business at 111 Stokes Croft. The artist wrote on his Instagram page: “Gerry was a pillar in the local community. Despite his history as an addict he spent 25 years clean, helping people through their own recoveries and founded a number of care based charities in Bristol including Emerge and Cherry Orchard Care.
Mural by Silent Hobo at Last Chance Saloon (photo © BA Street Art)
Was really happy to come across this cool three-story mural covering two walls by Silent Hobo painted with aerosol in November 2025. It’s located at Last Chance Saloon on the corner of Nine Tree Hill. Features a girl lying down on a lily pond with a waterfall on an Avatar-style floating island filling up her glass. Above is a DJ and a chic girl drinking a cocktail and a balloon reading ‘Cheers Bristol’. The city is of course famous for its annual Bristol Balloon Fiesta.
Detail of mural featuring Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol + cartoon characters (photo © BA Street Art)
In front of Armada House is a cartoon mural with a tree featuring the phrase “If it’s nice, play it twice” is a tribute to the late local reggae and soul DJ, Derek Serpell-Morris (DJ Derek). One section of the artwork (above) also features the Clifton Suspension Bridge that is probably Bristol’s most celebrated piece of architecture.
Lion on door by Lucas Antics (photo © BA Street Art)
At 80 Stokes Croft, we came across this funky lion painted on a door by Lucas Antics.
Tescopoly
Think Local Boycott Tesco mural on Stokes Croft (photo © BA Street Art)
Tesco’s role in destroying small shops and local businesses in the U.K. cannot be understated. This mural on the roof terrace above Elemental Collective reads ‘93% of local people say no to Tesco’ and Think Local Boycott Tesco’. The ‘Boycott Tesco’ part of the mural has been buffed. It was organised by Peoples Republic of Stokes Croft (PRSC) in 2010 as a protest against plans to build a new Tesco supermarket on the Stokes Croft/ Montpelier border and to encourage people to shop in the area to help the local economy.
NTS graffiti (photo © BA Street Art)
Picton Lane
Around the alleyways and lanes off Stokes Croft, you can also find more cool graffiti pieces and street art.
Graffiti piece by KOSC off Picton Lane (photo © BA Street Art)
A few pieces by graffiti writer KOSC can be found along Picton Lane. This one (above) is located next to a yoga studio.
Amy Magee (photo © BA Street Art)
These garage doors painted by Amy Magee have been given a new look with a striking portrait of this woman (above).
Trump stencil (photo © BA Street Art)
We also came across this stencil (above) featuring Donald Trump holding a dog lead tied to Israeli prime minister Benjamín Netanyahu.
Dennis the Menace graffiti (photo © BA Street Art)
Also came across this cool Dennis the Menace graffiti painted in 2016 featuring the character from ‘The Beano‘ comic. Lasted pretty well. Also check out our street art cities page for more in depth guides to the best street art in different cities around the world.
All photos © Buenos Aires Street Art
