Trail App
Find and collect 31 Big Bears, 51 Bear Cubs and 1 special book bench. All while unlocking rewards and milestone rewards along the way. Plus the chance to get discounts on our exclusive Bear Hunt merchandise.
Dartford Bear Hunt Auction
Bid for a Bear, Support Your Local Hospice
Join the Dartford Bear Hunt Auction on 1 October 2026.
Dartford Bear Hunt Raffle
For just £5 per ticket, you could take the adventure home and win a one-of-a-kind Bear Cub Sculpture from the Dartford Bear Hunt.
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.
Get Ready for a Bear-illiant Art Adventure!
This summer Dartford has been transformed by 31 stunning large Bear sculptures inspired by the beloved classic We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.
Designed by local and national artists, these Bears form an exciting, free public art trail through the town’s streets, parks, and open spaces.
Alongside them more than 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!
Dartford bear hunt auction 1st October 2026
The Dartford Bear Hunt Auction, taking place on 1 October 2026, is your exclusive opportunity to give one of our stunning Bear Sculptures a forever home! Join us for an evening of celebration and bid on a beautifully and uniquely decorated sculpture to make your own — all while supporting your local hospice.
Register your interest today to be the first to hear when auction tickets go on sale, and to start choosing the lot you will be bidding on!
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
Some bears tell a story. Peppercorns Cub tells a story of friendship, love and memories that will never fade. 🐻
Created by the wonderful members of Peppercorns Day Centre, this special Bear Cub celebrates inclusion, community and two much loved friends, Del and Joan, who were both cared for by ellenor.
Every handprint, every brushstroke and every smile captured on Peppercorns Cub is a reminder that the people we love are always part of our story.
The project has also helped challenge what people think hospice care is. For Allison, whose husband Paul was supported by ellenor, it showed that hospice care is about so much more than the end of life. It is about comfort, support, kindness and helping families through life`s most difficult moments.
When you visit Peppercorns Cub this summer, take a moment to look a little closer. Behind the colourful design is a beautiful story of friendship, belonging and lives that continue to inspire those around them.
Read the full story and discover more about the trail at dartfordbearhunt.co.uk.
Where do the Bear Cubs go after the trail finishes?
We’ve had a few questions about what happens to the Bear Cubs when the trail comes to an end, so here’s everything you need to know.
All of our school Bear Cubs will be returning to their schools. They will be taken off the trail after it finishes and returned to their schools following our Farewell Weekend on 26th and 27th September.
The Bear Cubs going to auction are a little different. These have not been created by schools, but have been specially designed and created by professional artists. They will be auctioned to raise even more for our charity, you can find out more info via dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
Here are the key dates to remember:
Sunday 13th September
The final day of the Bear Trail and the two Bear Cub stores.
Monday 14th and Tuesday 15th September
The Bear Cubs will be removed from the trail.
Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th September
Farewell Weekend. One last chance to see the Bear Cubs together and celebrate everything the trail has achieved.
Thursday 1st October
The Bear Cub Auction, featuring the incredible Bear Cubs created by our professional artists.
There’s still time to visit the trail, pick up your Bear Cub merchandise and make some final memories before they all head off on their next adventure!
#dartfordbearhunt #arttrail #thingstodoinkent #eventsinkent #arttrail
We loved meeting Harvey, aged 8, at our Bear Hunt craft session at the free Summer Hub in Bluewater.
Harvey made a cosy bear cave for his teddy, picked up a Bear Hunt T shirt and activity book, and told us he wants to help ellenor after seeing all the amazing support from his mum`s workplace, David Lloyd.
Come and join us at the FREE Summer Hub this summer for family fun, crafts, and Bear Hunt activities!
dartfordbearhunt.co.uk for more info!
#dartfordbearhunt #arttrail #thingstodothissummer #summereventsinkent
🌙🐻 WE ARE EXCITED FOR THE LUNAR ECLIPSE WE ARE HAVING TONIGHT! 🐻🌙
Our amazing Dartford Bear Hunt bears are getting ready to join in the celebrations! 🕶️✨
These colourful bears are part of the Dartford Bear Hunt — they’re promotional bears that you can spot and collect around Dartford! 🐻📍
So keep your eyes peeled when you’re out and about tonight, look up at the sky, and see if you can spot one of our beary special bears! 🌙⭐
✨ Solar Bear
🎨 Artist: Jessie Bond
🤝 Sponsor: ITRM LTD
✨ A Bearry Starry Night
🎨 Artists: Lynsey & Kieron Reilly
🤝 Sponsor: Trafalgar Entertainment Trust
dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#DartfordBearHunt #DartfordBearHunt2026 #LunarEclipse #LunarEclipseTonight #Dartford SpotTheBear CollectTheBears ellenor BearHunt
Celebrate International Youth Day with a summer adventure full of creativity, discovery and fun! 🐻
The Dartford Bear Hunt Art Trail is bringing together young explorers and budding artists from across the community, giving families the chance to discover amazing artwork, explore Dartford and create memories together.
From spotting beautifully designed bears to finding hidden surprises along the way, it’s the perfect free family adventure for curious minds of all ages.
We’d love to see your young explorers enjoying the trail! Share your photos and videos and tag @Dartfordbearhunt so we can join in with your bear hunting journey.
Who will you bring along for the adventure? 🐾
Find out more at dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#DartfordBearHunt #InternationalYouthDay #Dartford #YoungExplorers #FamilyAdventures #SummerFun
“The start of a fantastic adventure across Dartford as our Bear Hunt officially has already begun. Inspired by the much-loved childhood classic ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’, this wonderful trail brings together art, community spirit, and family fun. Talented artists have transformed each bear into a unique work of art, creating a free family activity that will encourage people to explore the borough. Whether you`re tracking down every bear or simply enjoying a day out together, I hope families make some wonderful memories along the way. I`m also delighted that the trail is helping to shine a spotlight on the incredible work of ellenor, whose vital services make such a difference to local families.” – Jeremey
Find out more via dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
@dartfordbc
#dartfordbearhunt #ellenor #thingstodoinkent #kentevents
For just £5, you could WIN your very own Bear Cub Sculpture from the Dartford Bear Hunt, plus amazing family prizes including a Bear Keeper Experience, a merchandise hamper and a family cinema ticket!
Don`t miss your chance to bring the adventure home.
Visit https://dartfordbearhunt.co.uk/raffle/ to get your ticket today!
Thanks to Bluewater Showcase Cinema and Wildwood Trust
#raffleinkent #dartfordbearhunt #ellenor #eventsinkent #kentevents
We are ellenor. Your local hospice charity, providing vital support to patients and families facing life-limiting illnesses across North Kent and Bexley.
At ellenor, we embrace life, offering support to adults and children from the moment of diagnosis and beyond. We understand the profound impact of a life-limiting condition and
we are here to offer compassionate care and support throughout this time.
You can find out more about our work and support us at www.ellenor.org
We’re going on an Art Hunt—are you coming?
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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.