Walking trail: Banksy (1)

Banksy is a pseudonymous England-based graffiti artist, political activist, film director and painter. His satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine dark humour with graffiti done in a distinctive stencilling technique. Such artistic works of political and social commentary have been featured on streets, walls and bridges of cities throughout the world.

There are more than 18 graffities made by Banksy around the city. Today, I propose a 30-40 minute walking route around Stokes Croft, St. Pauls and St. Werburghs which will guide you through the six stencils located in those suburbs. All the pictures posted were taken in April 2013. I have planned to do two more trails like this one with the rest of the works, and another last trail with the ones that are gone now. I hope you enjoy them.

The proposed trail starts in Portland Square, St. Pauls, where you will find the first stencil.

Detailed map in Google Maps: click HERE

1. Blowpop Records: This is a design that Banksy did for Blowpop Records from around 2000. It is located in Cave Street. The house is not well preserved and the stencil is very faded, making the lettering difficult to read. But it is still visible in the right side of the column, as you can see in the picture.

From Portland Square, you should go towards Stokes Croft, which will be around 3 minutes if you go by walk.

2. The Mild Mild West: The artwork is at a side of Hamilton Building (BS1 3QY). The best best views are from the Jamaica Street Junction. After being around for 9-10 years, the piece was defaced with red paint in 2009. Fortunately, the clean-up work was quick, meaning it was largely restored. They are currently doing some cleaning work in the building beside and the artwork is partially covered.

The next work is located in Cotham. It will take you a little longer than before because it is slightly uphill. I would say 5 minutes.

3. Rose On A Mousetrap: The art work from early 2000s is located on the wall in Thomas Street North, next to a blue door. It is still there although it is framed around to protect it. 

Take other 6 minutes to go back the hill and keep Cheltenham Road to see the next graffiti.

4. Take The Money And Run: It is one of the longest surviving early wall pieces involving Banksy collaboration with Inky and Mobz. It is located in St. Andrews Road with Bath Buildings It is remarkably intact.

From Bath Buildings road, keep walking 5 minutes towards Shaftesbury Avenue.

5. Picnic Area: Old Banksy stencil from 2005 or perhaps earlier even. While it has probably remainded largely unnoticed, it certainly stands out now. It is located in Shaftesbury Avenue 39A, in a parking entrance. They painted the rest of the wall, leaving the stencil intact, although nowadays it is very difficult to read what it says: "designated picnic area".



Take a breath, as the way to the last stencil included in this trail will take 10 minutes uphill. :)




6. Elephant Misile: Judging by the fading this appears to be quite an old Banksy. It is located in the crossroad of St. Andrews Road with Balmoral Road, below the street sign. 

The way back to the starting point in Portland Square should take you around 18 minutes.