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
The Bears are finding their forever homes on Thursday 1 October
Bid in person at Bluewater Village Marquee or online — online bidding is now open!.
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 is coming to its spectacular finale.
On Thursday 1 October, our Bears will find their forever homes at the Dartford Bear Hunt Auction — with the option to join us in person or bid online from wherever you are.
Online bidding is now open.
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
🐻 “People often think an auction is about what something’s worth. Actually, it’s usually the story behind it that gives it its value.” @catherinesouthon
For auctioneer and familiar TV face Catherine Southon, the Dartford Bear Hunt is about much more than what happens when the hammer falls.
From a childhood encounter with author Michael Rosen, to reading We’re Going on a Bear Hunt to her own children, Catherine shares why this particular auction struck a chord with her and why her own experience of hospice care has made ellenor’s work especially meaningful.
She also takes us behind the scenes of her fascinating career, which has seen her auction everything from John Lennon’s glasses to Winston Churchill’s cigars and reveals why it’s always been the stories behind the objects that interest her most.
👉 Read the full interview with Catherine via our link in bio
#dartfordbearhunt #ellenor #CatherineSouthon #dartford
Your participation in this Art Trail has helped grow awareness and funds for ellenor.
Every year, we all go on a walk in remembrance of those who we have lost
Read about the sea of orange that goes through Gravesend, every September https://www.ellenor.org/twilightwalk2026/
#twilightwalk #ellenor #charitywalk #eventsinkent
Loved the Dartford Bear Hunt? 🐻
We’d love to hear what you thought! ellenor wants to understand your experience and what we could do even better next time.
Our survey takes just 10–15 minutes, and your feedback could help shape future trails and experiences.
👉Fill in the survey via our link in bio
Thank you 🧡
#dartfordbearhunt #ellenor #arttrail
As the adventure comes to an end, all the sculptures will be brought together for a special farewell event, giving visitors one last chance to admire them before they find their forever homes.
Join the farewell event via visiting dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#arttrail #dartfordbearhunt #ellenor
As the adventure comes to an end, all the sculptures will be brought together for a special farewell event, giving visitors one last chance to admire them before they find their forever homes.
Join the farewell event via visiting dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#arttrail #dartfordbearhunt #ellenor
🐻 What happens to the bears when the Bear Hunt ends?
After a summer spent bringing colour, creativity and plenty of smiles to Dartford and Bluewater, our bears are getting ready for their next adventure…
On Thursday 1 October, our unique bear sculptures will go under the hammer at the Dartford Bear Hunt Auction, hosted by familiar TV auctioneer @catherinesouthonauctioneers
It’s your chance to take home a piece of the trail and, most importantly, every successful bid will help raise vital funds for ellenor, supporting local families living with life-limiting illness.
Could your favourite bear be coming home with you?
Read the full story and find out more about the auction via our link in bio
#dartfordbearhunt #ellenor #dartford #bluewater
A teddy bears’ picnic with a difference!
Our Bellway sponsored bear has arrived at Copperhouse Green in Dartford, complete with a picnic themed design by local artist Megan Spencer.
Read the full story and find out more about the Bear Hunt at dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
Sundae Bear is on tour! 🍨🐻
This beloved Ice cream Bear can now be found in the Bear Hunt Merchandise Hub inside the Orchards Shopping Centre, where you can come and view him and collect the unlock code! But be quick, all Bears are only here until Sunday 13th September! 🏃
#dartfordbearhunt #ellenor #orchardshoppingcentre #dartford
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.
