Since the 90’s Bristol-born Banksy has been capturing the world with his thought provoking street art that has created a legacy worth millions. The elusive artist has made his mark in many of the world’s cities and towns and has recently created a new work of art in Reading called ‘Create Escape’. Here’s our list of the top 10 places to see world-famous Banksy artworks across the UK.
1. Reading
Photo by: Steve Daniels
It recently emerged that a new artwork outside the walls of Reading prison was in fact the work of Banksy himself. He confirmed the rumours by taking to Instagram with a post of him completing the work under the cover of darkness. The artwork shows a prisoner- possibly a representation of the playwright Oscar Wilde, who was once held at the prison- escaping while hanging onto a rope of tied up bed sheets attached to a typewriter. Since the site was closed to prisoners in 2013, there has been much debate as to whether the prison should be converted into an arts and culture venue. Locals and members of the council have taken Banksy’s work as a sign of support for the arts venue venture, however Banksy has remained characteristically quiet on the matter.
Where to go: Forbury Road, Reading.
Stay: Hotels in Reading
2. Bristol
Photo credit: Banksy
The lively maritime city of Bristol is the city most associated with Banksy so it’s no surprise that you’ll find many of his artworks dotted around the city. You’ll be able to see his first ever piece, ‘The Mild Mild West’ is on the side of a solicitors building on Stokes Croft, while his most recent work, ‘Aatchoo!’ was painted in December 2020 on an end terrace house on Vale Street, one of England’s steepest streets. Banksy’s work is as satirical as it is thought-provoking and this Dockyard piece ‘Girl with the Pierced Eardrum’ is a take on Vermeer’s iconic ‘Girl with the Pearl Earring’ but instead of an earring, Banksy’s girl has a security alarm. The Banksy discoveries needn’t stop there, the city is proud of its street art prowess and even offers a Banksy walking tour and a street art walking tour so visitors to the city can see and discover for themselves, the story behind the famous spray-can artist as well as the up and coming street artists who have been inspired by the illusive man himself.
Where to go:
– ‘Girl with the Pierced Eardrum’: Near Bristol Marina. Look out for the clock tower and the nearby burger van
– ‘Mild Mild West’: Head to the heart of Bristol’s cultural quarter, Stokes Croft. The artwork is located next to The Canteen with Jamaica Street providing the best views.
– Valentine’s Day Mural: Marsh Lane, Barton Hill.
Stay: Hotels in Bristol
3. London
Photo credit: Banksy
It’s no wonder Banksy was drawn to London with its diverse culture attracting people from all over the world. Many in the arts world would argue that the most famous Banksy piece is ‘There Is Always Hope’, completed in 2002, which depicts a young girl reaching for a heart-shaped balloon. This artwork also caused a stir again in 2018 when a framed version named ‘Love is in the Bin’ was shredded live at Sotheby’s just after it was sold at auction for just over £1 million. Since then, it has captured the imagination of many fellow street artists, and even businesses with big names such as Mcdonalds, Lidl and IKEA all adopting the shredded look for some of their campaigns. In 2017 Banksy again showed how he has been inspired by other artists, with his murals near London’s Barbican Centre. He confirmed the artworks were inspired by Jean-Michael Basquiat and his unique style. For fans of street art, a trip to London’s Shoreditch area is not to be missed with ‘Banksy’s Designated Graffiti Area’ amongst other unique and inspired street art work that characterises the district.
Where to go:
– Banksy Basquiat: Golden Lane, Barbican, EC2Y 8DL
– Banksy Designated Graffiti Area: Shoreditch
Stay: Hotels in London
4. Birmingham
Photo credit: Banksy
Birmingham has its roots placed firmly in the industrial revolution with much of its 18th Century buildings still visible to today’s visitors. Alongside it’s industrial character, the city has also been blessed with a few Banksy artworks. On Vyse Street, you can sit on the Banksy Bench which is conveniently located as part of Banksy’s reindeer mural. Perch on the bench and imagine you’re being pulled away to a magical place by the two reindeer. The real story behind the artwork is a very poignant one. According to the artist himself, the ‘Ryan and his Reindeer’ mural is in honour of a homeless man called Ryan who used to reside on the bench. On Banksy’s Instagram account, he posted a short video of Ryan with a caption commending the people of Birmingham’s generosity towards him while asking for nothing in return.
Where to go: Vyse Street, B18 6JZ
Stay: Hotels in Birmingham
5. Brighton
Photo by: David Anstiss
Brighton is known in the LGBTQ community as the ‘Gay Capital of the UK’ with its queer legacy dating back to the early 19th Century. The city has always been full of fun, uniqueness and character and what better way to solidify the city’s huge cultural reputation than with an iconic Banksy artwork. Every year Brighton hosts its Pride festival with events all over the city culminating in a huge summer celebration of inclusivity and diversity. In 2004, ‘Kissing Coppers’ was unveiled on the side of the Prince Albert pub which perfectly captured the character and population of the city and recognised Brighton’s place on the LGBTQ map. Today you can see the artwork surrounded by lots of other colourful and bold artworks depicting some of the UK’s most celebrated and iconic figures including rock star Freddie Mercury, John Lennon and George Michael to name a few.
Where to go: Frederick Place, BN1 1AX
Stay: Hotels in Brighton
6. Southampton
Photo credit: Banksy
A city well noted for its association with the RMS Titanic, the port city of Southampton also has a legacy as a hub for aviation, maritime and even literary history and thanks to Banksy, the city can also boast its connection to thought provoking art. In 2020, Banksy’s painting ‘Game Changer’ was delivered to staff at Southampton General Hospital which showed a boy holding a superhero toy dressed as a nurse complete with a note saying “Thanks for all you’re doing. I hope this brightens the place up a bit, even if it’s only black and white.” It was then hung in the hospital’s emergency department and acted as a huge boost to morale for staff working there. In May this year, the original painting was sold to raise money for NHS charities for a record-breaking £16m and replaced with a copy. You can also see the remnants of another Banksy mural, ‘No Future’ on Mount Pleasant Road.
Where to go: Mount Pleasant Road, SO14 0ED
Stay: Hotels in Southampton
7. Hull
Photo credit: Banksy
Hull is another city where Banksy works can be found dotted around the city with the most noted one being the ‘Draw the Raised Bridge’ artwork found on the Scott Street Bridge. However, since it’s unveiling in 2018, the bridge has been designated for demolition which means the mural will have to be moved to a new location in the city centre. While there’s been no further word on where this mural is going, you can see another on the city’s Queen Street. Located in a car park off the main carriageway, there is a mural depicting 2 children gazing up at Mary Poppins who is flying off with a Lidl bag in tow. There have been rumours among the locals as to whether it’s a genuine Banksy but given its styling and the characteristic nod to capitalism in the Lidl bag, it’d have to have come from a very good copy-cat.
Where to go: Queen Street, Hull
Stay: Hotels in Hull
8. Weston-Super-Mare
Not far from his hometown, the seaside resort of Weston-Super-Mare is another great Banksy art hotspot. In 2015, he created the dystopian theme park Dismaland- a twist on it’s cheerier counterpart Disneyland. The park featured a worn down version of the iconic castle, a slightly odd looking Ariel perched on a rock, and a big colourful pinwheel. Unfortunately, the park was only a temporary fixture, however, its famous Pinwheel still survives and it is said to be set for a more permanent home in the town centre. Plans for the 7 foot tall Bemusement park icon to come out of storage came after the town’s nostalgia for the hugely successful park and it is hoped that with it’s permanent home, it’ll cement Dismaland’s place in Weston’s history books.
Where to go: Italian Gardens, West-Super-Mare
Stay: Hotels in Weston-Super-Mare
9. Liverpool
Photo credit: Banksy
A city known for its connections to iconic musicians, now has a stake in the Banksy art landscape with the mural ‘Love Plane’. It was painted in 2011 on a car park wall between Rumford Road and Covent Garden. There has been some controversy over it’s removal and rehoming in an art gallery but if you look closely in the car park you’ll see that the love heart still remains. Another of Banksy’s Liverpudlian works has transcended the spray can to become somewhat of a Liverpool legend. Back in 2004, the painting of a giant was discovered on the side of what was the White House pub and was so popular that it was included in the 2004 Biennial arts festival. In 2013 the rat was taken down due to the pub being renovated and it was sorely missed by the locals. After it was taken down, it’s rumoured journey took it to a pop up bar in London but has since not been seen. However the legend of the giant rat still remains and it’s hoped that it might one day return home to the city.
Where to go: Rumford Street, Liverpool
Stay: Hotels in Liverpool
10. St Leonards on Sea, Hastings
Photo credit: Banksy
This quiet beach on the coast of Hastings was given a Banksy makeover in 2010 with the addition of the ‘Tesco Sandcastles’ mural on the steps leading down to the pebbly beach. The mural shows a boy building sandcastles on the beach with each of the sandcastles showing the name ‘Tesco’ on them. Despite being vandalised, the mural still lives on at the beach offering a great snap for visitors to add to their beach-day photo albums and Instagram feeds. As well as a beautiful beach and world-famous artwork, the town of St Leonards has plenty of cosy cafes to enjoy some tea and cake, while Hastings itself is a pretty seaside town with plenty of medieval history to discover.
Where to go: St Leonards beach
Stay: Hotels near St Leonards
