Banksy’s The Girl With Pearl Earring in Bristol
Discover Banksy’s clever homage to Vermeer’s masterpiece, hidden in Bristol’s harbourside with a modern twist on a classic pearl earring.
Banksy’s The Girl With Pearl Earring is a striking 2014 mural located on a building in Hanover Place, Bristol’s harbourside. This clever street art piece parodies Johannes Vermeer’s classic painting by replacing the iconic pearl earring with a modern security alarm. Set amid Bristol’s historic dockyard area, it offers a witty commentary on surveillance culture and is a must-see for fans of street art and Banksy’s work.
A brief summary to Banksy’s The Girl With Pearl Earring
- Hanover Pl, Bristol, GB
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.25 to 1 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
- Monday 12 am-12 am
- Tuesday 12 am-12 am
- Wednesday 12 am-12 am
- Thursday 12 am-12 am
- Friday 12 am-12 am
- Saturday 12 am-12 am
- Sunday 12 am-12 am
Local tips
- Visit during daylight for the best natural lighting to photograph the mural through the fence.
- Combine your visit with a walk around Bristol’s harbourside or a Banksy street art trail for a fuller experience.
- Look out for the nearby clock tower and burger van as landmarks to help find the mural’s location.
- Wear comfortable shoes as the area involves walking on urban paths and docksides.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Bus
Take local buses serving Bristol Harbourside, such as routes 1, 2, or 8, which stop near Albion Dockyard. Travel time from Bristol city centre is approximately 10-15 minutes. Buses run frequently, but check schedules for evenings and weekends. A single fare costs around £2.50 GBP.
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Walking
From Bristol city centre, it’s a 20-30 minute walk along the harbourside paths to Hanover Place. The route is flat and paved, suitable for most walkers and wheelchair accessible. Walking allows you to enjoy other harbourside sights en route.
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Car
Driving to Albion Dockyard is possible with several nearby car parks, such as the Harbourside car park. Parking fees range from £2 to £4 per hour. Note that spaces can be limited during peak times, and traffic restrictions apply in some areas.
Banksy’s The Girl With Pearl Earring location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
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Rain / Wet Weather
Discover more about Banksy’s The Girl With Pearl Earring
A Modern Twist on a Classic Masterpiece
Banksy’s The Girl With Pearl Earring mural was created overnight in October 2014 on a building in Hanover Place, within Bristol’s Albion Dockyard area. It reimagines Johannes Vermeer’s 1665 painting Girl with a Pearl Earring by substituting the famous pearl with an actual yellow security alarm box affixed to the wall. This clever visual pun blends fine art heritage with a sharp critique of modern surveillance, characteristic of Banksy’s style. The artwork spans the height of the building, making it an imposing and memorable sight.Setting and Surroundings in Bristol’s Harbourside
The mural is tucked away at the end of a small alley near Bristol Marina, framed by old warehouses, cafes, and other street art pieces. The Albion Dockyard location offers an industrial yet vibrant backdrop, reflecting Bristol’s rich maritime history and its contemporary urban culture. The area is peaceful and less crowded than central tourist spots, allowing visitors to appreciate the piece in a relaxed atmosphere. Nearby landmarks include the SS Great Britain and the Bristol Marina, making this mural an excellent stop on a harbourside walk.Artistic Significance and Cultural Impact
Banksy’s work here is a witty homage to a Dutch Old Master, yet it also embodies the rebellious spirit of street art. By integrating the existing security alarm into the design, Banksy transforms a mundane object into a provocative symbol, challenging viewers to reconsider notions of art, security, and public space. This piece is part of a broader Banksy trail in Bristol, a city renowned for its vibrant street art scene and as the artist’s hometown. It exemplifies how street art can dialogue with art history and contemporary social issues simultaneously.Visitor Experience and Photographic Opportunities
Visitors often enjoy spotting the mural while exploring the harbourside or during a run along the docks. Although a fence prevents close access, you can capture compelling photos by peering through the bars. The mural’s scale and placement make it a striking subject for photography, especially in natural daylight. Many visitors combine this stop with other Banksy artworks in Bristol, making it part of a rewarding cultural walk or street art tour.Preservation and Public Reception
Unlike many street art pieces vulnerable to vandalism or removal, The Girl With Pearl Earring has remained a cherished part of Bristol’s urban landscape since its creation. It benefits from its location within a lively yet protected dockside environment. The mural continues to attract street art enthusiasts, art historians, and casual visitors, contributing to Bristol’s reputation as a global street art capital.Integration Within Bristol’s Artistic Heritage
This mural connects Bristol’s contemporary urban culture with its historical roots, referencing a masterpiece housed in the nearby Mauritshuis Museum in the Netherlands. It highlights Banksy’s unique ability to merge humor, social commentary, and artistic homage. The Girl With Pearl Earring stands as a testament to Bristol’s dynamic art scene and the enduring power of public art to engage and inspire diverse audiences.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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Unmissable attractions to see
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Being Brunel
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Capricorn Place
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Bristol Docks
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Historic Bristol Docks at Hotwells: Engineering brilliance and maritime heritage meet vibrant waterfront life.
Hannover Quay
0.5 km
Discover Hannover Quay, Bristol’s vibrant harbourside district blending historic charm with modern waterfront living and cultural buzz.
Brandon Hill
0.6 km
Bristol’s oldest park with panoramic city views, a nature reserve, and family-friendly spaces just minutes from the city centre.
Millennium Square
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Lloyds Amphitheatre
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Cabot Tower
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We The Curious
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Discover Bristol’s vibrant science centre with interactive exhibits, creative workshops, and the UK’s only 3D Planetarium in a playful, inclusive space.
Guided Walking Tour - From Blackbeard to Banksy
0.8 km
Explore Bristol’s rich history and iconic Banksy street art on a captivating guided walking tour from College Green.
Bristol Cathedral
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Explore Bristol Cathedral’s majestic medieval hall church with soaring vaults, Gothic Revival nave, and centuries of rich history in the city’s heart.
The Bristol Wheel
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M Shed
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Bristol Aquarium
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Essential places to dine
New MoOn On The Quay
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Steak of the Art
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The Pump House
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The Chef's Table
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The Olive Shed
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Mediterranean tapas and seafood with stunning harbour views in a cozy, waterside Bristol setting.
Souk Kitchen
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Root
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Las Iguanas - Bristol - Harbourside
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Lively Latin American dining and cocktails with vibrant vibes by Bristol’s picturesque Harbourside waterfront.
BOX-E
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A tiny 14-seat restaurant in Bristol’s Wapping Wharf shipping containers, serving inventive Modern British tasting menus and seasonal dishes in an intimate, industrial-chic setting.
Gambas
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Harbour & Browns
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1 York Place
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An intimate European bistro in Clifton offering seasonal dishes and a warm, stylish atmosphere for a refined dining experience.
Tare Restaurant
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COR Restaurant
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Vibrant Mediterranean small plates served in a stylish, intimate setting at Bedminster’s acclaimed COR Restaurant.
Coppa Club, Clifton
0.9 km
Stylish Italian dining and vibrant social hub in Clifton Village, Bristol, perfect for all-day meals and lively evenings.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Zhyper
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Orendo
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Discover unique ladies' fashion at Orendo, a chic clothes shop in Bristol that embodies the city's vibrant style and trends.
Fig1
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Discover Scandinavian-inspired homewares and unique gifts at this independent Bristol gem, where clean lines meet creative curation in the heart of Wapping Wharf.
Something Elsie
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Discover vibrant 80s and 90s vintage fashion, dazzling jewellery, and quirky gifts in Bristol’s colorful Something Elsie shop at Cargo 2.
Independent Design Collective
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Discover unique artisan gifts and crafts from Bristol’s vibrant local artists at Independent Design Collective in Southville.
Rhubarb Jumble
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Discover timeless vintage fashion and unique home treasures in the heart of Bristol’s vibrant Southville neighborhood.
Bristol General Store
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Independent boutique celebrating local creativity and curated global design in Bedminster.
Ganesha
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Alices Secret Empourium
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Uncle Sam's Vintage
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my a2space
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Village
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
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Barrelhouse
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The Cocktail Club - Triangle Bristol
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Nightclubs & after hour spots
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Tranquil
- Scenic
- Unique
- Casual
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Minimalist Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Industrial
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Waterfront
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Leave-No-Trace Critical
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Day Trip
- Weekend Getaway
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- LGBT Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Wheelchair Access
- Pet Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly