Stockport’s vibrant street art trail

Stockport’s vibrant street art trail

Everyone’s always going on about hitting their 10k steps a day, but if you’re not a fan of nature, this can feel like a chore. Hills, mud, cows, sheep… it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. On the other hand, travelling into the city centre for a more urban stroll can be a hassle in itself.

So, why not take a wander through Stockport and discover the bold, vibrant street art tucked into the town’s lesser-known corners. Follow our guide to explore these hidden gems and discover the stories behind them.

The Jimi Hendrix Mural by Otto Schade 

Did you know that in 1967, Jimi Hendrix actually played at the Underbanks. At the height of his fame, he played at the old ‘Sinking Ship Club’ which was based on Royal Oak Yard. Known for his ribboned pieces, Otto Schade was commissioned for this piece to show off Stockport’s bouncing music scene and commemorate this rock and roll legend.

The Garden Tiger Moth by Paintsmiths 

Opposite Robinsons brewery, this Garden Tiger Moth was created in collaboration with Cheshire Wildlife Trust to raise awareness of this local endangered species. 

Its location is key to the moths’ story, as the barley used in breweries like Robinsons relies on nighttime pollination by the local moths to grow. These moths fly mainly at night but can often be found in the day and so are commonly mistaken for butterflies. The markings on the moth act as a deterrent to predators as its body fluids are poisonous.

Shop Small, Love Local by Emily Flanagan

This piece can be found underneath St Petersgate Bridge, paying a tribute to the long-standing history of local businesses at Underbanks. The Underbanks area has hosted local shops since the Victorian era and contains 42 listed buildings, and 17 locally listed ones. Its blend of Georgian, Victorian, and Tudor architecture makes it a perfect filming location, and it has featured in several TV shows, including the BBC sitcom Scarborough and the Netflix thriller The Stranger. 

This mural was created by local Stockport artist Emily Flanagan, who is known for her fun, quirky characters. 

Underbanks Mural by Qubek

Opposite the Cracked Actor on Little Upperbanks is a beautiful mural of fish and flowers to salute the Tin Brook that runs just below. The river, which was once used to power early silk and cotton mills in the 18th century is now a pinnacle of Stockport town. The river experienced one of the UK’s worst aviation tragedies; in 1967 a plane crashed into a substation overlooking the brook, killing 72 of the 84 people on board. 

This piece was created by Qubek, also known as Russell Meehan, who is best known for his famous 22 bee’s mural in the Northern Quarter. 

Water Mural by Sally Guilford, Tasha Whittle, Anne Louise Kershaw

Also paying homage to the Tin Brook, this piece takes a slightly different perspective, instead focusing on the fauna above the water instead of underneath. The artists were inspired by traditional Victorian botanical sketches, using a mix of print and illustration methods including gel printing. 

La Boca La Stocka

Sitting on Lower Hopes Carr near Canal Street, it is one of the largest hand-painted outdoor works in Northern England and contributed to Stockport winning the Greater Manchester Town of Culture Award in 2023. 

The Argentinian artists, from Buenos Aires: Eva Luna Maissa, Patricia Salatino, Melina Lluvia, Omar Gasparini and Alejandro Fenochio, who created this piece, also collaborated with 12 local artists, and 200 members of the community to create this vibrant piece. 

Sarah Harding Mural by Deggy

Based at 11 High Street, this commemorates Stockport grown Girls Aloud singer, Sarah Harding who sadly died of Breast Cancer aged only 39. Winner of Celebrity Big Brother 2020, Sarah was a much-loved Stopfordian and attended the local Hazel Grove High School before studying hair and beauty at her local collage. 

The Bottle Cap Mural by Caitlin Atherton

Finish off at the UK’s largest recycled bottle cap mural, representing endangered local wildlife opposite the Air Raid shelters at Merseyway Shopping Centre. The mural consists of approximately 80,000 bottle caps, which local businesses, cafes, schools and residents collected and donated over a series of months.