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Mural
The Mild Mild West
Banksy mural of a teddy bear facing three riot police, at the junction of Stokes Croft and Jamaica Street.
A mini guide to
Stokes Croft, St Pauls & Montpelier
Street art, independent venues and Georgian squares north of the centre
Photos
1 / 6Welcome to the area
Street art, independent venues and Georgian squares north of the centre
Stokes Croft is the road, and informal district, just north of the city centre. It is known for street art, independent shops and music venues, and for the community group the People's Republic of Stokes Croft. Banksy's mural The Mild Mild West is at the junction with Jamaica Street, and the Carriage Works, built in 1862 in Bristol Byzantine style, was regenerated as a mixed-use development in 2022.
St Pauls, to the east, was laid out in the early 18th century as one of Bristol's first suburbs around Portland Square, and hosts the St Pauls Carnival, an annual Caribbean carnival that began in 1968. Montpelier, to the north, is a conservation area with its own station on the Severn Beach Line, and Cheltenham Road has a run of independent restaurants.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Street and district
Stokes Croft
Road and informal district of street art, independent shops and music venues, home to the People's Republic of Stokes Croft.
Historic building
The Carriage Works
Bristol Byzantine building of 1862 by E. W. Godwin on Stokes Croft, regenerated as a mixed-use development in 2022.
Cinema and venue
The Cube Microplex
Volunteer-run, non-profit cinema and event venue with a bar, open since 1998.
Circus school
Circomedia
School for contemporary circus and physical theatre, based since 2004 in the former St Paul's Church on Portland Square.
Georgian square
Portland Square
Grade I listed Georgian square in St Pauls, laid out in the early 18th century as one of Bristol's first suburbs.
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Stokes Croft, St Pauls & Montpelier and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
View street art from the pavement
Most murals are on private buildings and can fade, be altered or painted over. Look from the pavement, ask before photographing people at work and check Visit Bristol's street art page for current suggestions.
2
Banksy on Stokes Croft
Visit Bristol names The Mild Mild West on Stokes Croft as one of its main Banksy draws. It is on a private building, so do not touch it or climb on it.
3
Carnival dates
The St Pauls Carnival is described as usually held on a Saturday in early July. Check the organisers for the current date and road closures.
4
Cheltenham Road and Montpelier
Independent restaurants and pubs run up Cheltenham Road towards Montpelier. Montpelier station has trains on the Severn Beach Line.
Tips from the Britlens editors
Explore this guide
Everything for Stokes Croft, St Pauls & Montpelier
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Georgian chapel, village greens and a long street of cafés and restaurants, a mile north-west of the centre
Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Stokes Croft, St Pauls & Montpelier (area photo): Derek Harper, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- The Mild Mild West: Earthkingfather, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Stokes Croft: Neil Owen, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- The Carriage Works: William Avery, CC BY-SA 2.5, source
- The Cube Microplex: User:Kellen, Public domain, source
- Circomedia: Joe D, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Portland Square: The original uploader was Rodw at English Wikipedia., Public domain, source
- City Road Baptist Church: William Avery, CC BY-SA 2.5, source
- The Bearpit: RedSquirrel, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Montpelier Station: mattbuck (category), CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Montpelier: Stephen Craven, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- St Pauls: Tadeusz Hare, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Cabot Circus: Mike Buck, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Redcliffe, Temple Meads & Bedminster: The wub, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Avon Gorge, Leigh Woods & Ashton Court: Tiia Monto, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Whiteladies Road & Redland: Steve Daniels, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Gloucester Road & Bishopston: Derek Harper, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Harbourside & Millennium Square: Andrew Abbott, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Old City, King Street & Park Street: Hyspaosines, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Clifton & the Suspension Bridge: Anthony O'Neil, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits