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
@bexshep_art one of the artists behind the bear designs coming up this summer
find out more dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#dartfordbearhunt #ellenor #eventsinkent #artistsinkent
It’s #worldartday and we cannot wait for this summer’s art trail to go live!
Throughout July to September we will have our bears out in Dartford ready to visit, painted by some local talented artists
Here are some sneak peaks of some bears up close!
#artistsinkent #dartfordbearhunt #wildinart
A sneak peak of the artists design for this summers art trail in dartford, by @stephen.oliver.art
find out more about the art trail via dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#arttrail #wildinart #artistsinkent #kentevents #eventsinkent
Welcome to our @dartfordbearhunt artist space! 👩🎨
@bluewatershopping
Come & view this space to have a sneak peak at artists in action by peeking through the bear paw print.
This space will turn into a merch shop this summer (July-september), when our trail starts!
📍 find us on the upper red guildhall, directly next door to Starbucks! 🐻 you can’t miss us!
#bluewater #dartfordbearhunt #wildinart #ellenor artistinkent
Celebrate a loved one this summer with ellenor’s Memory Bear! Designed by Dartford illustrator Becky Shepperson, this beautiful sculpture lets you dedicate a name for a one-off £35 donation, helping local families facing life-limiting illness. Limited spaces available – your loved one’s name becomes part of the Bear forever.
Find out more: dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
Memory bear sponsored by @barnesconstruction_
@art.by.amyt the artist behind one of the bears being designed for this summers art trail
find out more dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#dartfordbearhunt #wildinart #arttrail #eventsinkent #ellenor
Sneak peak of a bear being designed for this summer`s art trail by @art.by.amyt
find out more via dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#dartfordbearhunt #ellenor #eventsinkent #kentevents #childrensevents
Only a few Bears left… 🧡🐻
This is your final chance to be part of something truly special.
By sponsoring a Bear or joining us in partnership, your business will step right into the heart of this creative, community-driven trail—connecting with thousands of people in a fun, meaningful, and memorable way. Our previous sponsors have seen incredible engagement, boosted brand visibility, and the opportunity to show real support for their local community.
But more than that, you’ll be helping to raise vital funds for ellenor—supporting compassionate care for local families when they need it most.
You don’t want to miss out on being part of something this impactful.
Join us on this adventure and let’s make a real difference—together.
Sign up now via dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#DartfordBearHunt #SponsorABear #CommunityImpact #ellenor #LastChance
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.