The Most Instagrammed Street Art in the North

The North of England and Scotland are vibrant hubs of creativity. Musicians from these regions dominate the charts, actors shine on screens worldwide, and artists consistently make bold statements. It’s no wonder that the streets of many northern cities are decorated with some of the most inspiring street art in the UK and beyond. Thanks to Instagram, this incredible art is being celebrated worldwide. But with over 68M posts for #streetart on the platform, which northern murals are capturing the most hearts and shares?

By tracking #streetart over the summer, TransPennine Express has identified the top cities in the North of the UK for street art, and the murals and artists that are getting the most Insta-love.

The Most Instagrammed Street Art in Manchester

Manchester’s street art hub is the city’s hipster hangout, the Northern Quarter. Sometimes used as a backdrop for NYC in the movies, the NQ is packed with old, red-brick warehouses complete with external fire escapes, quirky bars and plenty of street art. For a city that’s had a serious impact on pop culture, it’s easy to see this influence throughout the area’s artwork. It’s no surprise then, given the recent Oasis reunion tour announcement, that a mural of the Gallager brothers takes the top spot as the most Instagrammed piece in Manchester.

Want to explore Manchester’s street art for yourself? You can easily hop on a train to Manchester from all over the UK, including nearby cities like Liverpool or Leeds. Manchester Piccadilly station is just a stone’s throw away from the Northern Quarter too, so you can get your street art on as soon as you step off the platform.

1. Oasis mural – Painted by Snow Graffiti, located on Bury Old Road, Manchester.

   

   Credit: @misheleneous

2. Swan Buildings Mural – Painted by Case, located on Cable Street, Manchester.

   

   Credit: @afurthersea

3. Keely Hodgekinson – Painted by Global Street Art, located on Stevenson Square, Manchester.

   

   Credit: @notsosecretmanchester

4. Kurt Cobain – Painted by Akse, located on Sidney Street, Manchester.

   

   Credit: @bravo_ungrateful

5. Tib Street Mural – Painted by Mr Cenz, located on Tib Street, Manchester.

   

   Credit: @mpiagency

6. Enigma – Painted by Akse, located on Stevenson Square, Manchester.

   

   Credit: @my_street_by_anto

7. Danny Beard – Painted by IDa4, located on Canal Street, Manchester.

   

   Credit: @_mcr_photoart

8. Manchester Bee – Painted by Peter Barber, located on Houldsworth Street, Manchester.

   

   Credit: @manc_wanderer

9. Cavell Street Mural – Painted by Liam Bononi, located on Cavell Street, Manchester.

   

   Credit: @octure_visions

10. Thomas Street Mural – Painted by James Archer, located on Thomas Street, Manchester.

    

    Credit: @davidcolbran.photographer

The Most Instagrammed Street Art in Sheffield

Birds, bright colours and Yorkshire grit. That’s what the street art scene in Sheffield is all about. At the top of the list of the most Instagrammed artwork in the city, ‘Reverie’, by Peachzz brings two feathery friends to Carver Street. This new mural is one of the largest in the city, and its impressive visuals make it easy to see why it takes the top spot. ‘Now Then, Then Now’ by Rob Lee adds some vibrancy to Howard Street, and ‘The Snog’ by Pete McKee (which has been recently renovated) highlights the playful side of the city.

Feeling inspired to visit Sheffield? Sheffield station sits in the centre of the city and can be reached by train from most cities like Leeds and Manchester.

1. Reverie – Painted by Peachzz, located on Carver Street, Sheffield.

   

   Credit: @abdalla8338

2. Flight – Painted by Peachzz & Foundry, located on Upperthorpe Road, Sheffield.

   

   Credit: @alice_in_urbanland

3. Muriel – Painted by Pete McKee, located on Backfields, Sheffield.

   

   Credit: @graffiti_huntress

4. Skateboarder – Painted by Bubba 2000, located on Bardwell Road, Sheffield.

   

   Credit: @inkemma

5. Now Then Then Now – Painted by Rob Lee, located on Howard Street, Sheffield.

   

   Credit: @woollyvix

6. Everyone Has a Part to Play – Painted by Rob Lee, located on Burton Street, Sheffield.

   

   Credit: @steelcitysnapper

7. The Snog – Painted by Pete McKee, located on Broad Lane, Sheffield.

   

   Credit: @charny123

8. Chaucer Yard Mural – Painted by Jo Peel, located on Chaucer Yard, Sheffield.

   

   Credit: @streetartsheffield

9. The Fat Cat – Painted by Matt Cockayne, located on Alma Street, Sheffield.

   

   Credit: @starbuckruss

    

10. Liam Palmer Mural – Painted by Paul Staveley, located on Wadsley Lane, Sheffield.

The Most Instagrammed Street Art in Liverpool

Liverpool is a fiercely proud Northern city. Whether shown through their support for their musicians, the liver bird, or the famous faces with an affiliation to the city, there’s plenty of street art which reflects the city’s pride. At the top of the list in Liverpool is the Ringo Star mural by John Culshaw, which can be found near this Beatle’s childhood home. An awe-inspiring mural of Liverpool’s own medal-winning Olympian, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, takes the second spot, painted by Paul Curtis.

Liverpool has a mix of vibrant murals found across the city, making it a top destination to visit for those looking to up their Insta-grid game. Book train tickets to Liverpool for popular routes such as Glasgow Central and Manchester Piccadilly.

1. Ringo Star Mural – Painted by John Culshaw, located on High Park Street, Liverpool.

   

   Credit: @jdavis84

    

2. Katarina Johnson Thompson Mural – Painted by Paul Curtis, located on Dale Street, Liverpool.

   

   Credit: @itsabouttheheartuk

3. Sound of Freedom Mural – Painted by Somari & Neil Keating, located on Tempest Hey, Liverpool.

   

   Credit: @getahashtagkim

4. Human Search – Painted Liam Bononi, located on Great George Place, Liverpool.

   

   Credit: @grafittiseeker

5. Michael Jackson Moonwalker – Painted by Paul Curtis, located on Colquitt Street, Liverpool.

   

   Credit: @theogdogg

6. Amy Winehouse – Painted by Danny O’Connor, located on Victoria Street, Liverpool.

   

   Credit: @mattscorpio

7. Tempest – Painted by Nomad Clan, located on Tempest Hey, Liverpool.

   

   Credit: @getahashtagkim

8. Liver Bird – Painted by John Culshaw, located on Great George Place, Liverpool.

   

   Credit: @paul.smithuk

9. Philth’s Contrast Muralfest Mural – Painted by Philth, located on Kempston Street, Liverpool.

   

   Credit: @johnpaulshirley

10. The Penny Lane – Painted by Dutchie.art, located on Penny Lane, Liverpool.

    

    Credit: @dutchiestudio

Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Experience & Transformation Director for TransPennine Express, comments: “The North boasts some of the UK’s most captivating street art murals, enhancing the appeal of our cities and driving travel and economic growth.

These vibrant artworks attract both tourists and locals, boosting local businesses and displaying the region’s unique cultural heritage.

At TransPennine Express, we are proud to connect the North, enabling travellers to experience these vibrant cities firsthand.”

The full study, including a breakdown of the most Instagrammed street art murals for each of the biggest northern UK cities, can be found on-site here: https://www.tpexpress.co.uk/explore-the-north-and-scotland/blog/street-art-capital-north-uk