Bearpit Commemorative Mug

£15.00

UK delivery £4.40 - Free delivery on orders over £80!

The sunken roundabout in the centre of Bristol, known colloquially as the "Bearpit", ran as a creative commons for eight years, during which time local community curated the space as an outdoor gallery, and all were welcome.

For decades the space had been a meeting place for the homeless and the addicted. During this time, the walls became community voice, and a series of extraordinary exhibitions took place; nobody was criminalised for painting on these walls.

In the summer of 2019, Bristol City Council closed the Bearpit and removed all trace of the cultural activity that had taken place over the past eight years. The walls are now all painted in bland colours, covered with a protective coat of anti-graffiti paint.

The area has become part of the "Broadmead Business Improvement District". Hanging baskets are the finishing touch to this makeover.

Scroll through the images to see pictures of the Bearpit and its demise.

This English bone china mug features a drawing of 'Ursa'; the iconic Bristol Bear sculpture and its drawing were created by artist and sculptor Jamie Gillman, and commissioned by the People's Republic of Stokes Croft (PRSC).

From her plinth in the Bearpit in the centre of Bristol, and likeness at the end of the M32, Ursa used to welcome thousands of visitors into Bristol every day. Her removal was ordered by Bristol City Council.

The Artist: Jamie Gillman

PRSC Studio resident Jamie Gillman creates sculptures and theatre sets using wood and mixed media. Jamie was commissioned by the PRSC to produce Ursa, the now-iconic Bristol Bear sculpture, once located in the Bearpit.

Product Specification

Material: Fine Bone China
Type: Mug

Dimensions: H 8.9cm
Weight: 300gm
Capacity: 350ml

Dishwasher Safe: It's up to you (here's why)
Microwave Safe: Yes, unless it has gold leaf or platinum lustre! (here's why)

Delivery and Returns

We decorate all our chinaware by hand and fire it here on site, so orders may take up to three weeks to arrive. If you're in a hurry please call us on 0117 944 4540 to check availability.

We offer FREE UK delivery on all orders over £80, or FREE Click & Collect from our Stokes Croft shop.
Standard UK delivery is £4.40. We post everything second class, but if you need it faster than that we're happy to help you arrange a courier. Click here for international delivery costs »

Our goal is to ensure complete customer satisfaction. We are happy to replace your item if faulty or damaged. For more information please see our returns page.