Memory bear
At the heart of this stunning art trail is ellenor’s Memory Bear, which offers individuals the chance to dedicate a name in memory of someone they love. Each name will become part of the sculpture itself creating a shared space for remembrance within the community.
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 around 50 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 We’re 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
We’re hiring! 🧡Bear Hub Shop Manager (x2)
📍 Multi-site locations:
Bluewater Shopping Centre (DA9)
Orchard Shopping Centre, Dartford (DA1)
ellenor, Gravesend (DA11)
🕒 37.5 hours per week (Mon–Sun)
Shifts: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Includes weekend working and occasional hours outside of the usual schedule
📅 Contract: 6-month fixed-term (May – October 2026)
⏰ Application deadline: 10 April 2025
Join ellenor, a charity and specialist palliative care provider, and help make a real difference in your community.
Apply now via ellenor.org/careers
#retailjobs #jobsinkent #kentjobs #bluewaterjobs #dartfordjobs
Sneak peak into some of the colours being used in bear designs coming up for the art trail this summer!
find out more here dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#dartfordbearhunt #eventsinkent #kentevents #childrensevents #ellenor
“We can’t go over it, we can’t go under it… we’ve got to go through it!” 🐻
Next summer, Dartford will be transformed into a magical outdoor art trail inspired by We’re Going on a Bear Hunt with 86 incredible bear sculptures waiting to be discovered.
Created by artists, schools and the community, every bear helps raise vital funds for ellenor’s specialist care
Get ready to explore Dartford like never before.
🔗 ellenor.org/bearhunt
@bluewatershopping @dartfordboroughcouncil
#dartfordbearhunt #bearhunt #kentevents #bluewaterkent #charityeventsinkent #kenthospice #hospicecharity
POP this in your diary!
Dartford Bear Hunt Art Trail 2026
17th July – 13th September 2026
dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#dartfordbearhunt #kentevents #eventsinkent #kentcharityevent #hospicecharityevent
*our GEMS bear painted by children at @ellenorcharity
“We can’t go over it, we can’t go under it… we’ve got to go through it!” 🐻
Next summer, Dartford will be transformed into a magical outdoor art trail inspired by We’re Going on a Bear Hunt with 86 incredible bear sculptures waiting to be discovered.
Created by artists, schools and the community, every bear helps raise vital funds for ellenor’s specialist care
Get ready to explore Dartford like never before.
🔗 ellenor.org/bearhunt
#dartfordbearhunt #bearhunt #kentevents #bluewaterkent #charityeventsinkent #kenthospice #hospicecharity
Wishing everyone a gentle and peaceful Easter weekend from all of us🧡
Thank you, as always, for your kindness, support and for being part of this trail coming up this Spring/Summer, here to raise awareness for @ellenorcharity it truly means so much to everyone we care for.
dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
*not a real bear design- just an easter special ai edition.
#dartfordbearhunt #bearhunt #ellenor #artistsinkent #kentevent
Another artist has received their bear and has started painting away!
Stephen Oliver, we look forward to seeing your finished design on the trail for TPS Global
#artistinkent #kentartist #dartfordbearhunt #wildinart #arttrail2026
You have got to check out what we are doing in our space at Bluewater…
Come visit us upper guildhall, right next to Starbucks
dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#wildinart #bearhunt #ellenor #dartfordbearhunt
We’re going on an Art Hunt—are you coming?
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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.