Thursday doors – 3 July 2025 – Street art doors

Doors 314 – Street art and graffiti doors of Bristol, Manchester, London and Nottingham, February to April 2024

Having completed the marathon of doors from Copenhagen and three weeks’ worth of doors from Leicester, I couldn’t make up my mind what to move on to next, so this week I have decided to go for some street art doors, which combines my love of doors and street art.

These doors were originally posted in February to April last year as part of my street art/graffiti category, but may have been photographed some time before that. I hope you enjoy them. Normal service will resume next time, but I still need to decide what to share next.

Djembello, Ridgeway Road, Bristol, February 2024
Djembello, Ridgeway Road, Bristol, February 2024
D7606, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
D7606, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
Sikoh, Richmond Road, Bristol, March 2024
Sikoh, Richmond Road, Bristol, March 2024
Sikoh, Richmond Road, Bristol, March 2024
Sikoh, Richmond Road, Bristol, March 2024
Ethan Lemon and Fredrik, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
Ethan Lemon and Fredrik, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
Kid30, Nottingham, March 2024
Kid30, Nottingham, March 2024
Dan Kitchener, Southampton Row, London, March 2024
Dan Kitchener, Southampton Row, London, March 2024
Dan Kitchener, Southampton Row, London, March 2024
Dan Kitchener, Southampton Row, London, March 2024
Dan Kitchener, Southampton Row, London, March 2024
Dan Kitchener, Southampton Row, London, March 2024
3Dom, Sevier Street, Bristol, April 2024
3Dom, Sevier Street, Bristol, April 2024
Door with witty street art, Nottingham, November 2023
Door with witty street art, Nottingham, November 2023
Graffiti door, Nottingham, November 2023
Graffiti door, Nottingham, November 2023

That’s it for another week. I prepared this post in advance, and I am publishing it very early (UK time) on Thursday, because when I did this by mistake a few weeks ago, I had far more views than I would normally expect. I am testing the idea once again, but this time deliberately, to see if that was an anomaly or a real effect.

If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.

Thursday Doors

Thursday doors – 9 January 2025 -Street art doors

Doors 291 – Street art and graffiti doors of Bristol, Nottingham, Manchester and Sheffield, November to December 2023

I am on holiday in Marrakesh, lucky me, and so am re-purposing some doors from my street art archives for Thursday doors, because I don’t have access to my home PC. Of course I am collecting dozens of Moroccan doors to share with you later in the year.

Today’s doors were originally posted in November and December 2023, but may have been photographed some time before. I hope you enjoy them. Normal service should resume next time.

Laura Decorum, Nottingham, November 2023
Laura Decorum, Nottingham, November 2023
Creamy Lines, Leonard Lane, Bristol November 2023
Creamy Lines, Leonard Lane, Bristol November 2023

A partial shutter (cheating a bit)

Mr Crawls, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023
Mr Crawls, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023
Unknown collaboration, The Carriageworks, Bristol, November 2023
Unknown collaboration, The Carriageworks, Bristol, November 2023

Artwork on a ghost door.

Kid30, Nottingham, November 2023
Kid30, Nottingham, November 2023
3Dom, The Carriageworks, Bristol, November 2023
3Dom, The Carriageworks, Bristol, November 2023

Artwork on a ghost door.

Rob Lee, Sheffield, November 2023
Rob Lee, Sheffield, November 2023
Mr Cenz, Northern Quarter, Manchester, November 2023
Mr Cenz, Northern Quarter, Manchester, November 2023

That yer lot for this week, wishing you all a fabulous week from North Africa. Back to freezing cold Britain for next time (boo).

If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.

by Scooj

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Thursday doors – 15 August 2024, Manchester

Doors 274 – Doors of Manchester, UK, November 2023 (Part III)

A quick one from me this week. I have a meeting in London today and had to prepare this post last night, along with several other posts. This is the third and final instalment of doors from my November trip to Manchester last year with my daughter.

As with last time, nothing too out of the ordinary, just doors that I saw on my ramblings. I particularly like the four-story building, not for its nor its neighbour’s doors, but because I’d love to know more about the merchant who originally had it built, showing off their wealth with four whole floors compared with the two-story buildings either side.

I hope you enjoy.

Old wholesale fish market entrance gateway, Manchester, November 2023
Old wholesale fish market entrance gateway, Manchester, November 2023
Old wholesale fish market entrance gateway, Manchester, November 2023
Old wholesale fish market entrance gateway, Manchester, November 2023
Stuart Little's house in reverse, Manchester, November 2023
Stuart Little’s house in reverse, Manchester, November 2023
Just an ordinary black door with little awning, Manchester, November 2023
Just an ordinary black door with little awning, Manchester, November 2023
Grand doorway, security gate and black door with notice panels, Manchester, November 2023
Grand doorway, security gate and black door with notice panels, Manchester, November 2023
Take a rest, as a friend - modest grandeur for this pub door, Manchester, November 2023
Take a rest, as a friend – modest grandeur for this pub door, Manchester, November 2023
Fancy stonework and ironwork around a fairly utilitarian door, Manchester, November 2023
Fancy stonework and ironwork around a fairly utilitarian door, Manchester, November 2023
LS Banksy (Lowry) door shutter, Manchester, November 2023
LS Banksy (Lowry) door shutter, Manchester, November 2023

Well that’s all folks for another week. I’m not too sure what I’ll be posting next time. Prepare for a surprise (for me as much as for you).

If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.

by Scooj

Thursday doors – 1 August 2024, Manchester

Doors 273 – Doors of Manchester, UK, November 2023 (Part II)

Life is speeding up. It is already 1 August, the days are getting shorter, and so far 2024 has been a blur – it would be nice to be able to slow things down, at least for just a little while. It is probably my age, and a realisation that every moment is precious, but why would that make time go by faster? I am sure there must be studies on this kind of phenomenon, but I don’t have the time to seek them out and read them!

These doors were photographed last November while visiting Manchester with my daughter, who is currently travelling in Laos some 5,678 miles away from home, a stark contrast with Manchester, apart from the rain.

We are often our own worst critics, and I would say that there is only one ‘special door’ in this selection – I wonder if you can guess which one I think that is. Enjoy.

Royal Exchange Theatre doors and vaulted doorway, Manchester, November 2023
Royal Exchange Theatre doors and vaulted doorway, Manchester, November 2023
Three doors and grand doorway - Corn/Produce Exchange/Grocery, Manchester, November 2023
Three doors and grand doorway – Corn/Produce Exchange/Grocery, Manchester, November 2023
Not really a door, but just liked the view, Manchester, November 2023
Not really a door, but just liked the view, Manchester, November 2023
Shuttered door and wonderful tiles at Arthur Kay & Bro, Manchester, November 2023
Shuttered door and wonderful tiles at Arthur Kay & Bro, Manchester, November 2023
Green door, red tiles and an unintentional doorfie, Manchester, November 2023
Green door, red tiles and an unintentional doorfie, Manchester, November 2023
Ornate wooden scrolls and steps up to this door within an archway, Manchester, November 2023
Ornate wooden scrolls and steps up to this door within an archway, Manchester, November 2023

That’s all for this week. Happy August.

If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.

by Scooj

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Thursday doors – 25 July 2024, Manchester

Doors 272 – Doors of Manchester, UK, November 2023 (Part I)

My wife and I spent several of our weekends last autumn touring the country with our daughter, looking at potential universities. As it turns out, she has decided on Leeds University (one that I didn’t go to), and starts there in September. I did, however, accompany her to check out Manchester Metropolitan University, and these doors were snapped up during that visit.

I don’t know the city at all well, and so I struggle to place where these photographs were taken, but I think that most were in the sort of Piccadilly and surrounding areas, where we did most of our walking. Furthermore, I was very taken with the city, which had a great vibe about it and felt that my daughter would have enjoyed it there, but the campus at Leeds won her over.

I hope you enjoy this first of three sets of doors from this trip to Manchester. I say ‘this trip’ because I had another one a little bit later with work, and managed to capture a few more doors… to come.

Magnificent doorway and doors to redbrick building, Manchester, November 2023
Magnificent doorway and doors to redbrick building, Manchester, November 2023
Magnificent doorway and doors to redbrick building, Manchester, November 2023
Magnificent doorway and doors to redbrick building, Manchester, November 2023

Six beautiful doors and a very grand entrance archway. I am not sure what the building was (University, commercial, flats?), but it was very impressive.

New Union pub door, Gay Village, Manchester, November 2023
New Union pub door, Gay Village, Manchester, November 2023
China Town gateway, Manchester, November 2023
China Town gateway, Manchester, November 2023
Tall red doors, China Town, Manchester, November 2023
Tall red doors, China Town, Manchester, November 2023
Manchester Cathedral doors, China Town, Manchester, November 2023
Manchester Cathedral doors, China Town, Manchester, November 2023

I must confess that I was rather underwhelmed by Manchester Cathedral, but only because I have been spoilt by seeing so many magnificent ones in recent months.

Entrance and doors to The Old Wellington pub, China Town, Manchester, November 2023
Entrance and doors to The Old Wellington pub, China Town, Manchester, November 2023

More from Manchester next time. Until then, may I wish you a most enjoyable end of week and weekend.

If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.

by Scooj

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5925. Manchester, Northern Quarter

LostHills, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
LostHills, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024

I wanted to make sure I posted a few more pieces from Manchester before moving on and losing them in my archive. As I have said many times before, I would think that 60% or so of all the street art I find and photograph never gets published on Natural Adventures, and my backlog now spans almost ten years. I try to find ways to upload as much as I can, but it is difficult, especially as I like to write a little about each piece.

I am going to break from tradition a little with this post, and present it as a gallery of wonderful paste ups from LostHills and portrait pieces by Ethan Lemon and Frodrik.

Back to normal for my next post.

LostHills, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
LostHills, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
LostHills, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
LostHills, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
LostHills, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
LostHills, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
Ethan Lemon, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
Ethan Lemon, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
Ethan Lemon, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
Ethan Lemon, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
Ethan Lemon and Fredrik, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
Ethan Lemon and Frodrik, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024

5871. Manchester, Northern Quarter

C215, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
C215, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024

When randomly walking the streets of a town or city I am unfamiliar with, I am reminded of the iconic line from the film Forrest Gump “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get”, and that is pretty much how my recent stroll in Manchester unfolded.

C215, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
C215, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024

I turned a corner and found this incredible stencil portrait piece by C215 staring out at me. He is an artist who has made a couple of appearances on this blog before, but I don’t think that he has ever painted anything in Bristol, surely it is time to change that (Upfest?). The stencils that C215 uses range from very small up to this kind of size, and he achieves this scaling without compromising his style at all. A memorable piece from my recent trip.

5870. Manchester, Northern Quarter

Liam Bononi, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
Liam Bononi, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024

Natural Adventures is a blog with three or four strands, the most dominant of which is the street/graffiti art of Bristol. I am finding it increasingly difficult to feature art from other cities and countries, that I would like to share, but without compromising Bristol posts. I have been pondering this conundrum for a little while and decided that my posts from other places will more likely be galleries, which makes sense because I don’t know very much about the artists in other places, This way I get to share a whole load more pieces. Having said that there are some pieces that simply deserve their own post, and this awesome portrait piece by Liam Bononi is one of those.

Liam Bononi, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
Liam Bononi, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024

One of my Favourite ever Upfest pieces is by Liam Bononi, and I have posted a different piece from a previous visit to Manchester where the artist is based. His incredible photorealistic portraits are disrupted by fractures and cracks, creating distortions, which I would guess are metaphors for disrupted and fractured minds behind the faces. The artwork is meticulous and beautifully presented. This piece was tucked away in a street with low foot fall, and you’d certainly have to go out of your way to find it. I only found it, because I was conducting a forensic tour of the streets of the Northern Quarter in Manchester. Another piece in my favourites folder (which incidentally doesn’t actually exist anywhere other than in my mind).

5841. Manchester, Northern Quarter

Dale Grimshaw, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
Dale Grimshaw, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024

While wandering around the Northern Quarter in Manchester, I came across a heavily boarded building site, inside which I could glimpse the top of a Dale Grimshaw mural. There was a small letter-box hole in the hoarding and I managed to take a snapshot of the piece together with some construction workers. I also took a picture over the top of the hoarding, without really being able to see what I was doing. I wasn’t unpleased with the results.

Dale Grimshaw, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
Dale Grimshaw, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024

Dale Grimshaw is no stranger to the pages of Natural Adventures, and his huge portraits featuring people of different regions and cultures are instantly recognisable. Here is a nice little bit of insight from the artist about the piece, written on his Facebook thread last November:

Storytime – So, this piece has been in central Manchester for quite a good, few years now. It was painted as part of the Cities Of Hope festival. It’s seen so many things – the environment around it has changed dramatically, from a potholed carpark to a new, trendy block of flats. The wall has been tagged & blasted with rain & sun over the seasons. It stood alone, staring out at the empty streets, during the years of lockdown. The wall it’s painted on is even crumbling & damp beneath it – yet it shines on! True warrior. Technically it’s not my best piece – (it was a bit rushed) but it seems to have captured something with the good folk of Manchester. 
Memories of painting – the alarm on the scissor lift was beeping for the entire time, day in, day out, (I swear I could fckin hear it in my sleep 😂) I got to know a few of the local addicts that occupied that spot. One day a pretty wirey guy ran at the scissor lift & climbed up it like Spiderman – I was about 5 meters up & he hung onto the platform edge with his finger tips, staring at an £800 camera within reach, like Gollum & the ring! After that incident, I decided to load all the spray paint in to a shopping trolley at night & take it up to my hotel room in the lift. I’ve always been sophisticated like that. 
All great stuff, a brilliant portrait from a very good artist.

5840. Manchester, Northern Quarter

D7606, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
D7606, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024

I recently visited Manchester for a work meeting, the second visit I have made in a matter of a few months, and made the most of the morning before the meeting started to revisit the Northern Quarter. I spend about an hour weaving my way through all the little backstreets, snapping away at so many pieces of street art and graffiti – it was like being a child in a sweet shop. Among all the pieces, I found several wheatpastes from D7606, who hasn’t appeared on these pages for a long while. I don’t know how old some of these paste ups are, but they appear to have weathered pretty well.

D7606, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
D7606, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024

I have met D7606 when he has been visiting Bristol for Upfest, but it is becoming increasingly difficult for wheatpasters at the festival, because the organisers have to remove posters and paste ups after the event, so they are discouraged, which is a pity.

D7606, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
D7606, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024

Here are some wonderful post boxes, telephone boxes and old style telephones with some celebrity additions for you to enjoy. Original ideas that are executed well and replicated all over the country. Great to see some more of D7606’s work (I feel a galley coming on).

D7606, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
D7606, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
D7606, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024
D7606, Northern Quarter, Manchester, February 2024