Stokes Croft Area, Bristol

Stokes Croft is an unofficial district situated between Kingsdown and Saint Paul's in Bristol, encompassing Jamaica Street and the southern part of Cheltenham Road. It has earned this name as a local nickname rather than an officially recognized area of Bristol. Known for its vibrant art scene, music culture, and independent shops, Stokes Croft serves as a hub for artistic expression in Bristol.

Prominent clubs such as Croft, Lakota, and Blue Mountain contribute to its lively nightlife. Additionally, BIMM Bristol, a music college located on King Square, further enhances the area's musical atmosphere. Stokes Croft proudly displays an array of graffiti art pieces and is home to Mickleburgh Musical Instruments Ltd, one of Bristol's oldest music stores.

Today, Stokes Croft is renowned for its derelict housing, squats, anarchist activity, counterculture, and alternative nightlife. The Carriage Works, a grade II* listed building recognized by English Heritage, currently sits unused and has fallen into disrepair. It, along with the neighboring Westmoreland House, has become a popular canvas for graffiti artists to showcase their work on the abandoned structures.

In 2006, Bristol City Council secured a Heritage Lottery Fund grant to combat the decline in economic activity, environmental quality, and rising social issues witnessed in the area since the 1970s.

At the intersection of Stokes Croft and Jamaica Street stands a notable mural called "The Mild Mild West," created by Banksy in the 1990s. This artwork portrays a teddy bear launching a Molotov cocktail at three riot police officers. In 2007, the mural was voted as an Alternative Landmark of Bristol.