Knitters, Stitchers & Crafters
As we prepare for the Summer 2026 Dartford Bear Hunt Art Trail, we’re rallying our amazing community of makers to help bring this heart warming event to life.
Get Ready for a Bear-illiant Art Adventure!
In Summer 2026, Dartford will be transformed by 30 stunning large Bear sculptures inspired by the beloved classic We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.
Designed by local and national artists, these Bears will form an exciting, free public art trail through the town’s streets, parks, and open spaces.
Alongside them, 30 Bear cubs, decorated by local schools and community groups, will be displayed in indoor locations such as museums, libraries, and storefronts—making this an event for the whole community!
The story’s famous mantra—”We can’t go over it, we can’t go under it… we’ve got to go through it!”—perfectly reflects ellenor’s mission. Just as the family in the book faces obstacles together, ellenor supports families through life’s challenges.
Working with Walker Books
We are delighted to be working with The Walker Books Group to bring Were’ Going on a Bear Hunt to Life!
This beautiful, hand-drawn animation based on the classic book by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury follows the intrepid adventures of a family of children as they venture through whirling snowstorms, oozing mud and dark forests in search of bears…
‘This is an exciting and unique opportunity for ellenor to partner with Walker Books and the beloved classic, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.
Based on our experience, this partnership is a perfect fit for Dartford, offering not only a high-profile, family-friendly theme but also the potential to create a truly engaging and successful art trail.
It’s a wonderful chance to bring people together, celebrate creativity, and raise valuable funds for ellenor’s work in the process’.
Charlie Langhorne MD and co-Founder Wild in Art
Join the conversation #dartfordbearhunt
let’s make a real impact
By sponsoring a Bear or joining us in partnership, your business will step into the heart of this creative, community-driven event. You’ll connect with customers in a unique and engaging way, showcase your support for the arts, and make a real difference by raising funds for your local hospice.
Join us on this adventure and let’s make a real impact—together!
Get in touch with the team at ellenor today to find out more about all of the ways your business can get involved.
dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#wildinart #arttrail #ellenor #hospicecharity #dartfordbearhunt #charityinkent
Bear hunt art trail coming 2026!
Each Bear sculpture will be a unique work of art, designed by a mix of local artists from Dartford and the surrounding areas, alongside skilled artists from across the UK.
While we’re excited to bring in national talent, we’re especially proud to showcase the incredible creativity within our own community—giving local artists a platform to share their work with thousands of visitors.
dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#wildinart #dartfordbearhunt #arttrail #bearhuntarttrail #ellenor
Exciting!
📅 4 February — Art Selection Event! 🎨
Sculpture Sponsors and Trail Partners, it’s nearly time to choose your design!
Join us for this exclusive event where your bear’s artistic journey truly begins. 🧸✨
Find out more: DartfordBearHunt.co.uk
#DartfordBearHunt #ArtSelectionEvent #CreativeCommunity #KentEvents #SponsorExperience #wildinart
Our bears have been having an absolute blast zooming around Dartford with Fastrack — our fantastic Transport Partner! 🧸✨
From mini adventures to big journeys, they’ve loved every moment… and there’s so much more excitement coming in the New Year!
Stay tuned — the fun has only just begun!
For more info: DartfordBearHunt.co.uk
@kent_fastrack
#DartfordBearHunt #Fastrack #DartfordAdventures #CommunityFun #KentEvents
Thanks to Bellway, our bears are already looking right at home — and soon, one of them could be yours! 🧸🧡
About the Auction
On 1 October 2026, the Dartford Bear Hunt Auction gives you the exclusive chance to welcome one of our beautifully designed Bear Sculptures into your own home or workplace. Join us for an evening of celebration, community, and friendly bidding — all in support of your local hospice, ellenor.
Register your interest today to be the first to know when tickets go on sale, and start eyeing up the bear you’d like to make yours!
Save the date: 1 October 2026!
dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
@bellwayhomes
#dartfordbearhunt #bellway #hospicecharity #charityhospice #dartfordkent #wildinart #arttrail
A huge shout out to Bellway — our Sculpture Sponsor — for being a fantastic part of the Dartford Bear Hunt! 🧸🧡
Your support helps bring this magical trail to life for families across our community.
Discover more at DartfordBearHunt.co.uk
@bellwayhomes
#DartfordBearHunt #KentEvents #CommunitySupport #FamilyDaysOut #VisitDartford
10 Bear Cubs Left! Calling all schools & groups!
Join the project and let your creativity shine!
Participating in this exciting project offers many benefits for your students and school community. It’s a chance to get creative, celebrate local identity, and be part of something special!
This is a fantastic opportunity for students to be part of a creative, community-driven event, while helping to support ellenor’s vital work.
Adopt your own Bear Cub, we have 10 spaces left!
dartfordbearhunt.co.uk to take part!
#dartfordbearhunt #dartfordkent #kenthospice #ellenor
Calling all schools, nurseries, colleges and community groups!
Join the project and let your creativity shine!
Participating in this exciting project offers many benefits for your students and school community. It’s a chance to get creative, celebrate local identity, and be part of something special!
This is a fantastic opportunity for students to be part of a creative, community-driven event, while helping to support ellenor’s vital work.
Adopt your own Bear Cub, we have 10 spaces left!
dartfordbearhunt.co.uk to take part!
#dartfordbearhunt #dartfordkent #kenthospice #ellenor
We’re going on an Art Hunt—are you coming?
Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to receive updates along the way!
Become a Sponsor
By sponsoring a Bear or joining us in partnership, your business will step into the heart of this creative, community-driven event. You’ll connect with customers in a unique and engaging way, showcase your support for the arts, and make a real difference by raising funds for ellenor, your local hospice charity.
Our Sponsors & Partners
YOUR DONATIONS CREATE REAL CHANGE
ellenor needs £9.6 million each year to continue caring and supporting thousands of patients and families facing life limiting and life-threatening illness in Kent. We are a charity that relies on the generosity of our local community. Your donation however big or small makes a real difference to patients and their families.
Walker books
Walker Books UK is part of the vibrant international The Walker Books Group that includes Walker Books Australia, Candlewick Press, Holiday House and Peachtree Press in the USA.
Walker Books UK is an award-winning publisher making magical new stories for children of all ages. For generations, they have been the home of stories that feel both classic and fresh. From beautiful picture books to curl up with at bedtime to rib-tickling middle grade adventures, and from epic fantasy thrillers to fascinating, expansive non-fiction, there is something in their range of bestselling books for everyone.
The major bestselling brands for the group are We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Guess How Much I Love You, Maisy, the widely acclaimed Judy Moody, and the phenomenal Where’s Wally? /Where’s Waldo?
Lupus Films
Multi award-winning London-based studio Lupus Films was set up by Camilla Deakin and Ruth Fielding in 2002 and has since grown to become one of the world’s leading film and television production companies.
The company specialises in high quality family entertainment and adaptations of much-loved works of children’s literature, such as BAFTA nominated half-hour specials THE SNOWMAN AND THE SNOWDOG, WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT, MOG’S CHRISTMAS and THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA, which won an International Kids Emmy® Award.
Lupus Films has produced a number of animated feature films including the award-winning ETHEL & ERNEST, based on the autobiographical graphic novel by Raymond Briggs; KENSUKE’S KINGDOM, an adaptation of the bestselling children’s novel by Michael Morpurgo, and THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS IN WONDERLAND, based on the popular picture-book by Carys Bexington and Kate Hindley.