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
The photographer changing how people see hospice care…
There are some opportunities you say yes to because they make business sense. Others you say yes to because something in you knows they matter.
For photographer Nick Johnson, becoming Imaging Partner for ellenor’s Bear Hunt art trail, this was one of those opportunities.
This summer, ellenor, the local hospice charity supporting adults, children and families across North Kent and Bexley will bring brightly painted bears to Dartford as part of a free public art trail inspired by the much loved children’s book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.
It will be the first project of its kind for ellenor, and the first large-scale public art trail ever staged across the borough of Dartford.
visit dartfordbearhunt.co.uk to read more
#dartfordbearhunt #arttrail #wildinart #dartford
Sponsors and supporters got hands on involved in designing their own bears for a get together before the Art Trail this summer goes live!
Visit dartfordbearhunt.co.uk to find out more info!
#dartfordbearhunt #ellenor #wildinart #arttrail
Photography: @theimageworks
Before it became one of the world’s best loved picture books, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt began as something much older… a rhyme passed from child to child through storytelling and play.
Michael Rosen later developed his own lively performance version, introducing iconic sound words like:
✨ “Swishy swashy”
✨ “Splash splosh”
✨ “Squelch squerch”
Those playful sounds helped shape the story generations now know and love — and eventually inspired the BAFTA nominated animated adaptation by Lupus Films
, which influences the visual style of Dartford’s art trail.
🐻 The We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Art Trail arrives in Dartford in 2026, brought to the community by ellenor visit dartfordbearhunt.co.uk to find out more
#BearHuntTrail #Dartford #WereGoingOnABearHunt
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.
dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
photography by @theimageworks
@meganspencerillustration getting her colours ready for her painted bear design
Join us this summer to see bear designed sculptures around Dartford for this years art trail
dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
What an incredible achievement from Horton Kirby Primary School 🎉🧡
They have raised over £2,400 for ellenor through the Dartford Bear Hunt, smashing their fundraising target thanks to the amazing support from staff, pupils and families.
Every single pound raised helps support local families facing life limiting illness, and we are so grateful for this kindness and community spirit.
Thank you for making such a difference 🐻
Find out more about the trail here:
dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#arttrail #dartfordbearhunt #wildinart #dartfordkent
Since taking over Fastrack operations in November 2024, we’ve been inspired by the incredible work of ellenor. Our drivers have independently raised funds in memory of a colleague, we brought one of our buses to ellenor’s summer fair, and we’re thrilled to be part of the “Dartford We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” art trail—an initiative we proudly support as transport partners.
Visit dartfordbearhunt.co.uk to learn how to get involved with the art trail this summer
🐻✨ 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
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.