Traveler’s Guide to Banksy in Bristol

Mexican poet and academic Cesar A Cruz once famously said that “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” Nobody in recent history has emulated that more than the world-famous and equally elusive guerrilla street artist Banksy. A vandal to some and a hero to others, the artist’s subversive and satirical street art blends graffiti in a distinctive stenciling technique with dark humor. His identity remains famously unknown to date, except for one fact: he was born in the gorgeous city of Bristol, England. When you speak of Banksy in Bristol, his social and political commentary-driven artwork is visible just about everywhere – on walls, bridges, and streets.

However, this anti-establishment figure and self-styled prankster is revered in Bristol. That’s why we were extremely excited for this tour, which turned out to be the experience of a lifetime. Through wide squares, winding streets, and sunken lanes of Brizzle, as the city is fondly called, we discovered the life and times of this revered yet unknown artist on an ultimate walking tour.

Where is Banksy in Bristol

Everywhere! Firstly, the artist’s artwork in Bristol is spread all over the city, as he spent time and effort diligently working against the establishment. What’s more, this amazing tour, officially called Blackbeard to Banksy – The Ultimate Walking Tour of Bristol, showed us more than just the titular artist’s artwork. We also explored the city’s history of artwork and resilience and saw murals by a lot more artists who’ve left their inimitable mark on the city’s walls and streets.

This tour is led by Luke, who led us through the streets of Brizzle while regaling us with stories, tales, and information about the city. He was funny and informative and really knew Bristol like the back of his hand. It made sense, since he’s been in the city for nearly 20 years after he followed his wife, who found a job here! Our tour group, which comprised 10-12 adults, met Luke at College Green, in front of the Bristol Cathedral, which is where the tour began. He walked us safely through the main streets and squares, quiet lanes, winding passages, and sunken alleys (yes!), all while answering our unending list of questions about the life and times of Banksy and the city.

To give you some perspective, this tour includes not just Banksy’s most accessible artwork in the heart of the city, but also a whole lot of other murals and artworks by artists who drew inspiration from them and have made the city their canvas. Furthermore, Luke did a deep dive into the history and architecture of the city and how it came to be the Bristol it is today.

The Tour

Firstly, let us tell you that Luke’s company hosts 2 tours every day, at 11:30 am and at 2:30 pm. Unfortunately, the day we were supposed to be in Bristol showed no tour for 2:30 pm. I’d reached out to Luke, requesting him to let me know if and when slots would open up for another tour that day, and voila! I received a message from him saying he’d created a tour for 2:30 pm. We were blown away by his promptness, which made us look forward to the tour even more. In fact, we ate a walking lunch on the tour since we’d landed in Bristol very late, and Luke and our fellow tourmates were very kind enough to accommodate us. It was a great start to the tour indeed!

Starting The Tour

The tour began at the Bristol Cathedral, going past the bronze statue of Indian revolutionary Raja Rammohan Roy, who spent his final days in this city. Our first stop was Banksy’s 2011 creation, “You Don’t Need Planning Permission to Build Castles in the Sky,” — and perhaps their most obscure. This discreet creation sits just behind the Central Library in Lower Lamb Street, which was painted over again after a doorway access was required for the building.

Next up is Banksy’s 2006 creation Well-Hung Lover, perhaps one of his most famous creations. Painted on the side of a sexual health clinic, it features a naked man hanging from his lover’s window, with her husband unexpectedly returning even as the woman looks on. Even though it features defacing and paint stains today, the mural is a landslide victory over the city’s council, as residents voted not paint over it!

“It was thrilling to listen to the tales of Bristol’s artwork, and there’s no better storyteller than Luke.”

WOW Travel

Bristol’s Bawdy Past

Our next stop was the famous Queenshilling bar on Frogmore Street, Bristol’s oldest LGBTQ+ bar. On the wall next to it is a stunning stenciled mural of late Welsh actor Andy Whitfield. A creation by street artist JPS, who’s often confused with Banksy, the mural features the late actor in his well-known Spartacus avatar and is a sight to behold.

This is where the Blackbeard bit from the tour’s title comes in. Across the street sits The Hatchet Inn – JW Bassett Pub, a former brothel, haunt, and gambling den of pirates that frequented the city. Not only is it the city’s oldest inn/pub (dating back to 1606), but it’s also rumored to have been a favorite haunt of Edward Teach, a.k.a. the pirate Blackbeard. In fact, according to rumors, the front door is covered in human skin. Sitting beneath layers and layers of paint, the door did feel cool to our touch, and we did shudder!

The tour continued to some of the oldest parts of Bristol Old City, including Orchard Street. Home to lovely 18th-century Merchant’s houses, this street is believed to be the place where the first cider in the city originated.

Winding Streets and Sunken Alleys

Cutting across the stunning Augustine’s Courtyard and a few more streets, we came through what is undoubtedly the most famous mural “destination” in Bristol, the utterly narrow Leonard Lane. It featured graffiti all over the walls and the street, making for one riotously vibrant walk, from artists who drew inspiration from Banksy. Don’t miss the Centrespace Gallery, the city’s oldest creative co-op and home to craftspeople and artists since 1987.

When we stepped out on Quay Street, our eyes were drawn skywards to a bowler-hatted gentleman occupying the entire side of a building. This is ‘The Vandal’ by Bristolian artist Nick Walker, which showcases the financial crisis with a ‘banker-like’ character dropping paint — a subject he’s repeated throughout his artwork. On the far right in the distance sat ‘Clothed with the Sun,’ a mural by American street artist El Mac showing his girlfriend holding a baby. Meanwhile, we saw ‘See no evil’ in a stunning, colorful 2012 installation by Italian artist Pixel Pancho on the left.

We also admired the mural by Italian artist Connor Harrington (“The Duel of Bristol”) and the stunning architecture of the Corn Exchange before Luke led us alongside the River Avon to the iconic 17th-century King Street. Home to a string of pubs and inns now, the street’s had former lives as the city’s economic hub and a pirate hangout, and even slave trade connections. In fact, the Llandoger Trow pub, which you see below, is said to have inspired Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe!

Ending The Tour

We passed a few more historic structures (we’d stopped counting), including what is Bristol’s oldest Chinese restaurant, to finally come to a stop at The Centre Plaza. An interesting fact that Luke told us was that rebellion ran in Bristol’s blood. The reason? A statue of the Bristolian transatlantic slave trader Edward Colston once stood here. It was toppled by anti-racism protestors in the 2020-born Black Lives Matter movement and now sits in the M Shed Museum.

With heads full of information, a camera full of photographs, and stars in our eyes, we bid Luke goodbye, with his tales of Brizzle lingering in our minds long after the tour was over.

P.S.: Don’t miss having delicious marinara pizza from Pizzarova, which is located right opposite the Bristol Cathedral!

What’s the Weather Like in Bristol

Since it’s a walking tour, you need to take into account the weather for that day. Interestingly, Bristol in May is cloudy without rain half the time, breezy, and moderately chilly.

The weather on the day we visited, a wonderful morning in mid-May, was very pleasant. Since it was cloudy for most of the tour, we didn’t feel the heat beating down on us. Nevertheless, since it’s a river city, the cold air blowing could certainly chill your bones. This is especially evident when the sun goes in, or it’s an afternoon tour, or when you walk down Leonard Lane, which could certainly make you whip out your jacket!

Just like in London, we’d recommend carrying UPF sun hats and sun umbrellas or travel rain umbrellas, depending on the season you’re traveling in.

However, one thing we’d definitely recommend carrying is a good camera, as Bristol’s sights, especially the colorful murals, are fantastic. If you’re looking for a good digicam, we highly recommend the Nikon D3500, an impressive DSLR camera with a 24.2MP sensor that produces sharp and high-quality images with remarkable clarity. Moreover, it’s compact and lightweight, and even features a ‘Guide Mode’ that helps beginners to start their photography journey. That’s why it’s one of the best travel digital cameras.

As you can see below, it was pretty much cloudy during the entire tour, after which the sun shone brightly, which is when we had a round of beer at Barbara’s Bier Haus Bristol!

What to Wear for Banksy Tour

Since May in Bristol is cloudier and generally breezier and cooler, you need to be prepared for everything — rain, wind, and sunshine. So, we recommend that you wear layers. That’s because the sun can really beat down, especially on a cloudless day. We’d recommend long-sleeved tops, t-shirts, or cardigans/sweaters, as well as trousers, jeans, or skirts. Additionally, we’d recommend that you carry lightweight waterproof jackets, as the weather could suddenly change and it could rain. It’s better if you carry a small hiking daypack, which can hold a lightweight jacket, a water bottle, some snacks, and other necessities like medications, etc.

However, one of the most important things you need to carry for the Banksy walking tour is comfortable walking shoes. Do check out the best walking shoes with high arches and the best walking shoes for plantar fasciitis, especially those who have foot problems.

One of the best walking shoes we’ve encountered is the New Balance 574 Walking Hiking Shoes. Designed in the brand’s iconic style, complete with special-edition Pride-inspired detailing, these shoes boast an ENCAP midsole cushioning and rubber outsole for support, durability, and comfort. You might want to check out the official product page for more details, too.

Best Places to Stay around Banksy in Bristol

YHA Bristol

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We begin with YHA Bristol, the perfect budget option for exploring the city. Formerly a wharf-side grain warehouse, this hostel features an industrial-chic look and a funky vibe, all while boasting a crackling city center location. The ground-floor Grain House Cafe served great food, coffee, and even drinks, while the staff were amazing, even helping arrange bike hire, boat trips, and other activities. Even the EUR 6-costing continental breakfast is a bargain, given the unlimited cold items, or the EUR 10 one, which included unlimited hot and cold items! Rooms are more functional than bare-boned, but they’re comfortable and squeaky clean, and boast fantastic waterfront views. 

Berkeley Suites

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If stylish accommodations are what you’re looking for, head straight to the Berkeley Suites. They sit in a lovely Grade II-listed redbrick Georgian crescent near the eponymous Berkeley Square. These well-appointed apartments are the flagship offering of Clifton Hotels and have luxury touches, including fully-fitted kitchens and two swish bedrooms. You even have the choice of having essential food hampers delivered door-to-door. Of course, there are options for paid breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. The best bit? There was a bunch of thoughtful extras, like digital projectors, espresso machines, Roberts radios, and daily room service. Did we mention access to the private coworking space, members’ club, and complimentary passes to the Nuffield gym? Yep.
 

Artist Residence Bristol

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If you’re in Bristol to see Banksy’s work, then what better place to stay than the Artist Residence, Bristol? Nestled in a Georgian townhouse in the hippy Stokes Croft neighborhood, this place boasts some amazing communal areas. Think a library lounge well-stocked with books and board games and featuring an open fire and a pub-restaurant with a buzzing bar and delicious breakfasts. Metered parking is nearby, and the staff is lovely. Choose from 23 rooms and suites across 3 floors, all with different sizes and spaces but similar amenities like well-stocked minibars and Nespresso machines. If you want to splurge, go for the Artist Suite, the biggest in the house, with expansive spaces and huge floor-to-ceiling windows.

Brooks Guesthouse Bristol

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Brooks Guesthouse Bristol, in the heart of Old City, is an urban twist to the glamping experience — think a converted office building complete with ‘Rocket’ caravans on the roof! This affordable guesthouse radiated a young urban vibe, complemented by the amazing staff, an honesty bar, and an open-plan, sociable breakfast room/lounge opening onto a sun-kissed courtyard. Breakfasts with cooked egg dish choices, pastries, juices, etc., are a delight, especially since they’re available until 11 am on weekends! Rooms might be small, but featuring all mod-cons, cloud-like beds, TVs, coffee/tea-making trays, and modern bathrooms. The standouts are the Astroturf-set British-made ‘Rockets’ (American-style aluminum caravans). Not only did they have full-sized double beds, but they also had gorgeous views of Old City and mini showers.
 

The Bristol

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Located right on the banks of the River Avon is the smart harborside hotel, The Bristol. With a fantastic, lush city center location, a superb ground-floor riverfront brasserie with buffet-style breakfasts, and lovely views ofthe River Avon, the hotel is a top choice to stay in the thick of things. Attentive and efficient staff, a concierge service, a fitness center, and a paid but secure and convenient car park next door — what could be better? Even the digs were subtly luxurious, with generously-sized beds and contemporary bathrooms, with the best ones offering harbor views.

Premier Suites Bristol Cabot Circus

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We might have been a very short bus ride to College Green (we even walked it up once), but we couldn’t have found better digs than Premier Suites Bristol Cabot Circus. Just down the street from NCP Bristol Broadmead car park (where we parked our rental), this suites-hotel had the smoothest check-in, with the instructions sent directly to our e-mail. Our second-floor two-bedroom apartment was huge, complete with a living room, a fully equipped kitchen, and two huge bedrooms with two bathrooms. We could even see a lovely square from our living room digs and were surrounded by the energy of Cabot Circus, with two bus stops to the city center within walking distance. Space, the freedom to make our own breakfasts, and all mod-cons we could ask for, all just for EUR 270 for 2 nights!

Is the tour dog-friendly and child-friendly?

Absolutely! You can bring both dogs and children on this tour. Even though the tour does cover sensitive subjects, the guide will let you know in advance and use content friendly for younger ones too.

Do tours run when the weather is bad?

According to Luke, Simon et al (the peeps who run the tours), all the art looks better in a bit of rain. However, they do monitor the situation when there are severe weather warnings, issuing refunds/rescheduling as necessary. Otherwise, the tours run all days of the year, rain or shine.

What should I bring on the Banksy tour?

Suitable clothing for the weather, comfy shoes, a drink/snack (if you want), and cameras/smartphones for memories!