Graffiti, once considered a form of urban rebellion, has transformed into a celebrated art form that adorns the streets of cities worldwide. From political statements to intricate murals, graffiti artists use walls as their canvas to express creativity and provoke thought. Instagram, the popular social media platform, offers a unique lens into this vibrant subculture.
Here at Ratcliffe Cleaning Contractors alongside our SEO agency we wanted to find out which England cities had the most graffiti. Our methodology involved delving into the world of Instagram, using the #graffiti hashtag paired with each city name to gauge the frequency of street art in each area according to the number of posts. The results? Here are the top 10 cities as revealed by the global community of Instagrammers.
While graffiti can undoubtedly enhance the cultural fabric of a community, it’s essential to acknowledge its potential negative impacts. Businesses, property owners, and local authorities often face challenges associated with graffiti, including damage to property, negative perceptions, and potential impacts on tourism. Through our exploration, we aim to shed light on both the artistic contributions and the challenges posed by graffiti in urban environments. The results of our investigation, offer insights into the diverse graffiti landscapes across England’s top 10 cities.
Top 10 Graffiti Cities in England By Instagram Post Number
1. London (225,702 posts)
London stands as the undisputed capital of graffiti art in England, boasting a staggering 225,702 Instagram posts under the hashtag #graffitilondon. From the vibrant streets of Shoreditch to the gritty alleyways of Camden, London’s diverse neighbourhoods serve as a sprawling canvas for both local talents and international artists. Each mural tells a story, whether it’s a political statement, a homage to cultural icons, or a whimsical creation that adds colour to the urban landscape. With its rich history and ever-evolving street art scene, London continues to inspire and captivate graffiti enthusiasts from around the world.
2. Bristol (11,269 posts)
As the birthplace of renowned street artist Banksy, Bristol holds a special place in the heart of the graffiti world. With 11,269 Instagram posts tagged #graffitibristol, the city’s streets are a living gallery of thought-provoking murals and intricate stencils. Bristol’s vibrant street art scene reflects its creative spirit and cultural diversity. Whether it’s exploring the city’s famous graffiti hotspots or stumbling upon hidden gems, visitors to Bristol are guaranteed an immersive experience in urban artistry.
3. Manchester (5,905 posts)
Manchester’s graffiti scene thrives amidst its industrial backdrop, with 5,905 Instagram posts showcasing the city’s vibrant street art culture. The Northern Quarter emerges as a focal point for graffiti enthusiasts, with its labyrinthine streets adorned with colourful murals and striking backdrops. From bold political statements to whimsical illustrations, Manchester’s street art reflects the city’s rich history and resilient spirit. Whether it’s exploring the city’s iconic landmarks or wandering through its lesser-known alleys, visitors to Manchester are sure to be captivated.
4. Brighton (4,000 posts)
Brighton’s seaside charm extends to its vibrant graffiti scene, with 4,000 Instagram posts capturing the city’s colourful street art. From the iconic Brighton Pier to the bustling lanes of the North Laine, Brighton’s streets are adorned with a many artistic expressions. Whether it’s intricate murals, playful images, or thought-provoking installations, Brighton’s graffiti reflects the city’s eclectic spirit and creative energy. With its thriving arts scene and bohemian atmosphere, Brighton continues to inspire both local artists and visitors alike.
5. Sheffield (3,031 posts)
Sheffield’s industrial heritage provides a gritty backdrop, with 3,031 Instagram posts showcasing the city’s urban artistry. From abandoned factories to bustling city streets, Sheffield’s walls serve as a canvas for local talents and international artists alike. Whether it’s exploring the vibrant Kelham Island district or discovering hidden gems in the city centre, Sheffield offers a diverse range of graffiti experiences for enthusiasts and explorers alike.
6. Birmingham (2,344 posts)
Birmingham’s diverse communities contribute to a dynamic graffiti scene, with 2,344 Instagram posts capturing the city’s urban art landscape. From the Bullring to the creative hub of Digbeth, Birmingham’s streets are adorned with colourful murals and striking pieces of art. Visitors to Birmingham can immerse themselves in the city’s vibrant street art culture.
7. Newcastle (1,514 posts)
Newcastle’s historic streets provide a captivating backdrop for its thriving graffiti scene, with 1,514 Instagram posts showcasing the city’s urban artistry. From the iconic Tyne Bridge to the bustling Quayside, Newcastle’s walls serve as a canvas for local talents and international artists alike. Whether it’s exploring the city’s vibrant cultural scene or stumbling upon hidden gems in its lesser-known neighbourhoods, Newcastle offers a diverse range of graffiti experiences.
8. Nottingham (1,230 posts)
Nottingham’s rich history and creative spirit unite with its vibrant graffiti scene, with 1,230 Instagram posts capturing the city’s urban art. From the medieval streets of the Old Market Square to the bars of Hockley, Nottingham’s walls are adorned with colourful murals. Whether it’s attending graffiti workshops or exploring the city’s famous street art hotspots, Nottingham offers a diverse range of graffiti.
9. Hull (1,083 posts)
Hull’s revitalised waterfront and cultural quarter provide the perfect canvas for its increasing graffiti scene, with 1,083 Instagram posts showcasing the city’s urban artistry. From thought-provoking murals to playful images, Hull’s walls are adorned with a diverse range of artistic expressions. Whether it’s attending street art festivals or exploring the city’s historic landmarks.
10. Liverpool (1,082 posts)
Liverpool’s streets are a living gallery of graffiti art, with 1,082 Instagram posts capturing the city’s vibrant landscape. From the iconic docks to the vibrant Baltic Triangle, Liverpool’s walls serve as a canvas for local talents and international artists alike.
Graffiti Cities in England By Instagram Post Number
| Cities | Hashtag | Number of posts |
| London | #graffitilondon | 225,702 |
| Bristol | #graffitibristol | 11,269 |
| Manchester | #graffitimanchester | 5,905 |
| Brighton | #graffitibrighton | 4,000 |
| Sheffield | #graffitisheffield | 3,031 |
| Birmingham | #graffitibirmingham | 2,344 |
| Newcastle | #graffitinewcastle | 1,514 |
| Nottingham | #graffitinottingham | 1,230 |
| Hull | #graffitihull | 1,083 |
| Liverpool | #graffitiliverpool | 1,082 |
| Leeds | #graffitileeds | 1,020 |
| Leicester | #graffitileicester | 955 |
| Norwich | #graffitinorwich | 532 |
| Lincoln | #graffitilincoln | 192 |
| Portsmouth | #graffitiportsmouth | 137 |
| Southend | #graffitisouthend | 117 |
| Derby | #graffitiderby | 115 |
| Worcester | #graffitiworcester | 92 |
| Peterborough | #graffitipeterborough | 79 |
| Southampton | #graffitisouthampton | 52 |
| York | #graffitiyork | 47 |
| Wolverhampton | #graffitiwolverhampton | 45 |
| Oxford | #graffitioxford | 43 |
| Cambridge | #graffiticambridge | 39 |
| Bath | #graffitibath | 33 |
| Coventry | #graffiticoventry | 27 |
| Plymouth | #graffitiplymouth | 26 |
| Exeter | #graffitiexeter | 22 |
| Milton Keynes | #graffitimiltonkeynes | 20 |
| Sunderland | #graffitisunderland | 16 |
| Preston | #graffitipreston | 15 |
| Chelmsford | #graffitichelmsford | 14 |
| Doncaster | #graffitidoncaster | 11 |
| Colchester | #graffiticolchester | 9 |
| Bradford | #graffitibradford | 8 |
| Gloucester | #graffitigloucester | 8 |
| Durham | #graffitidurham | 5 |
| Salford | #graffitisalford | 4 |
| Chester | #graffitichester | 3 |
| Chichester | #graffitichichester | 3 |
| St Albans | #graffitistalbans | 3 |
| Stoke | #graffitistoke | 2 |
| Wakefield | #graffitiwakefield | 2 |
| Carlisle | #graffiticarlisle | 1 |
| Westminster | #graffitiwestminster | 1 |
| Canterbury | #graffiticanterbury | – |
| Ely | #graffitiely | – |
| Hereford | #graffitihereford | – |
| Lancaster | #graffitilancaster | – |
| Lichfield | #graffitilichfield | – |
| Ripon | #graffitiripon | – |
| Salisbury | #graffitisalisbury | – |
| Truro | #graffititruro | – |
| Wells | #graffitiwells | – |
| Winchester | #graffitiwinchester | – |
Professional Graffiti Cleaning
Graffiti, once synonymous with urban rebellion, has evolved into a celebrated art form that enriches the streets of cities worldwide. However, it’s important to recognise that not all graffiti qualifies as art; some can be seen as vandalism that damages property and tarnishes the aesthetics of a neighbourhood. While graffiti can undoubtedly enhance the cultural fabric of a community, it’s essential to acknowledge its potential negative impacts. Businesses, property owners, and local authorities often face challenges associated with graffiti, including damage to property, negative perceptions, and potential impacts on tourism.
In the ongoing battle against graffiti vandalism, professional graffiti removal services play a crucial role in restoring the integrity and aesthetics of affected properties and public spaces. At Ratcliffe Cleaning, we harness state-of-the-art cleaning equipment and effective chemical solutions to remove graffiti safely and effectively without causing further damage to surfaces.
Professional graffiti removal not only eliminates the visual damage caused by vandalism but also sends a clear message that graffiti will not be tolerated in the community. By swiftly addressing graffiti occurrences, property owners can deter future vandalism and preserve the visual appeal of their surroundings.
