Get Ready for a Bear-illiant Art Adventure!
This Summer 2026, Dartford and Bluewater 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.
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.
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
A huge thank you to the fantastic team from Flash Cleaning Services for generously cleaning our Bluewater Bear Hub free of charge.
The Bear Hub will officially open to the public on 17 July , where visitors can browse and purchase exclusive merchandise as part of the Dartford Bear Hunt Art Trail.
Thanks to the kindness and support of local businesses like Flash Cleaning Services, we`re able to create a welcoming space for everyone taking part in this exciting community event.
We are so grateful for your time, hard work and generosity.
#DartfordBearHunt #ThankYou #CommunitySupport #BearHub #ellenor
“We`re proud and excited to share the news that our creative team have been working relentlessly on this unique commission for the ellenor Dartford Bear Hunt.
After applying over 29,000 mirrored tiles with 9kg of adhesive the finishing line is within touching distance.
Learn more about this summers art trail by visting dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
Meet our Memory Bear 🐻🧡
At the heart of the Dartford Bear Hunt, this beautiful sculpture offers a special way to remember someone you love. Each name dedicated becomes part of the Bear itself, creating a shared space for remembrance within our community.
Designed by Dartford artist Becky Shepperson, the Memory Bear will be on display at Bluewater this summer before moving to its forever home at ellenor.
For a one off donation of £35, you can add your loved one’s name to the Bear while helping fund vital care for local families facing life limiting illness.
With limited spaces available, this is a truly meaningful way to honour a memory.
Dedicate here: https://www.ellenor.org/memorybearform/
#inmemoryof #dartfordbearhunt #arttrail #ellenor
🐻✨ 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
Knockhall Primary school getting involved in the art trail creations for this summer… how awesome!
Want to see the painted bears this summer?
visit dartfordbearhunt.co.uk for more info
#wildinart #arttrail #ellenor
Rosherville Church of England Acadamey
“Here he is all finished and about to embark on his journey back to ellenor for the final touches. The design was created by our pupils, incorporating our school values and our diversity with the word ‘hello’ in the 31 different languages spoken at our school. We have loved having our bear at Rosherville and look forward to seeing him back at our new site in September “
Join the art trail this summer by visiting dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
Knockhall Primary school getting involved in the art trail creations for this summer… how awesome!
Want to see the painted bears this summer?
visit dartfordbearhunt.co.uk for more info
#wildinart #arttrail #ellenor
"ellenor is ours."
For Gravesend business owner Deke Demarco, sponsoring Healing Bear was about giving back to a local charity that supports local families when they need it most.
Through the Bear Hunt trail, Deke hopes to help more people discover the incredible work happening right here in our community.
Read Deke`s full story at dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
@artisanprintservices
#arttrail #wildinart #fundraising #fundraiser #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.