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
And just like that… our Bluewater front window has transformed overnight 🐻✨
Right now, it’s a creative space where artists are busy bringing the Bear Hunt sculptures to life 👀🎨
But soon, it’ll become your go-to merch shop ahead of the trail this summer in Dartford!
If you’re passing by, take a peek inside, you might just catch an artist in action…
Find out more at dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#dartfordbearhunt #bearhunt #bluewater #bluewatershopping #ellenor
The bears have arrived to our artists and they`re getting to work ready for this Summers @dartfordbearhunt
Sneak peak of artwork by the designer @pipandrach
#artistinkent #kentartist #ellenor #dartfordbearhunt #arttrail #wildinart
Dartford Borough Council is officially bidding to become the UK`s first Town of Culture for 2028, aiming to showcase local creativity, boost regeneration, and celebrate community, with widespread support from local businesses, residents, and politicians. The bid is led by the Dartford Town Centre, and we are backing the bid!
@dartfordbc @ellenorcharity
#dartfordtownofculture #dartfordkent #dartfordbearhunt #bearhunt #ellenor
Have you had a little sneak peak at our pop up space in Bluewater yet? 👀
If you go to the upper mall at Bluewater, opposite Waterstones and directly next down to Starbucks you will see our space where our artists are designing the bears for the art trail… you may even be able to spot an artist designing in action! 🖼️
#arttrail #dartfordbearhunt #bluewater #wildinart
As the Dartford Bear Hunt trail approaches this summer, we’re excited to welcome Wildwood Trust as a sponsor 🐻
Together with ellenor, we’re bringing to life an art trail inspired by We’re Going on a Bear Hunt—connecting creativity, community, and real conservation.
We loved visiting Wildwood, meeting the passionate team, and seeing the bears up close. Such an inspiring partnership—we can’t wait for you to experience it this summer! 🎨🐾
dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
@wildwoodtrustuk @kent__wildwood @wildinart @dartfordbearhunt @ellenorcharity
🐻✨ We’re looking for volunteers to join the adventure! ✨🐻
Dartford Bear Hunt is set to bring colour, creativity and community spirit to our town — and we need a fantastic team of volunteers to help make it happen.
From supporting events to helping visitors along the trail, there are plenty of ways to get involved, meet new people and be part of something truly special for Dartford.
If you’re friendly, enthusiastic and proud of your community, we’d love to hear from you.
Find out more and sign up at dartfordbearhunt.co.uk 🧡
#DartfordBearHunt #VolunteerWithUs #CommunitySpirit #GetInvolved
Say hello to Blum 🐻
The first bear in ellenor’s We’re Going on a Bear Hunt art trail has been revealed – designed by Sussex artist Ana Zoob.
Bold, vibrant and full of life, Blum is just the beginning… 👀
This is more than an art trail. It’s about resilience, creativity, and facing life’s challenges together.
Read the full article here at ellenor.org/anazoob
#ellenor #BearHuntDartford #WildInArt #PublicArt #CommunitySpirit
How much does it cost to take part?
You can follow this trail for free, as often as you’d like! Beyond simply participating, you can also contribute to ellenor’s hospice care in various ways, both during and after the event.
dartfordbearhunt.co.uk for more info
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.