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, 30 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
📚✨ Happy World Book Day! ✨📚
We’re beary excited to celebrate the magic of storytelling and adventure — because every great trail starts with a story… 🐻🌳
The Dartford Bear Hunt is proud to be part of a community that champions imagination, creativity and bringing families together. Just like your favourite book, our bears will take you on a journey full of discovery, colour and surprise coming this summer.
Want to know more? visit dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#WorldBookDay #DartfordBearHunt #LoveReading #CommunityAdventure
Huge thanks to Dartford Borough Council for being our Presenting Partner on the Bear Hunt! 🐻✨
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, showcase your support for the arts, and make a real difference by raising funds for your local hospice. We can’t wait for summer!
visit dartfordbearhunt.co.uk to see how you can get involved
#dartfordbearhunt #arttrail2026 #wildinart #ellenor #charityhospice #eventsinkent #thingstodoinkent
This week, something special began in Dartford…
The arrival of 86 bears marks the beginning of a borough-wide celebration of creativity, community and care with a lasting impact for families across North Kent and Bexley. Over the coming months, 30 Big Bears and 56 Bear Cubs will be transformed by local artists, schools and community groups as part of ellenor’s We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Art Trail, launching this summer.
While the trail will bring colour and creativity to Dartford, its impact reaches far beyond the borough. Every sculpture will help raise vital funds and awareness for the specialist care ellenor provides at home, in care homes and on our Inpatient Ward in Gravesend supporting babies, children and adults living with life-limiting illness.
This trail is about imagination and adventure. It is also about ensuring hospice care remains accessible to families across our whole community.
We’re incredibly grateful to Dartford Borough Council, Wild in Art and all our partners helping bring this to life.
A huge thank you to everyone who has supported the Dartford Bear Hunt so far: our Presenting Partner, Dartford Borough Council; Official Partner, Bluewater Shopping Centre; Storage & Logistics Partner, Pentagon; Transport Partner, Fastrack Electric; Creative Partner, Pillory Barn; Photography & Video Partner, The Image Works; Print Partner, Artisan Print Services; Radio Partner, Made In Kent Radio; and Media Partner, News Shopper. We also extend our thanks to our Sculpture Sponsors: Ruxley Manor Garden Centre, Esquire Developments, Trafalgar Entertainment Trust, Tarven Solar Energy, Barnes Construction, David Lloyd – Dartford, Bellway London, Willmott Dixon Construction Limited, and TPS Global Logistics.
dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#wildinart #arttrail2026 #arttrail #ellenor #bearhunt #dartfordbearhunt
What makes the Bear Hunt truly special isn’t just the colour and creativity — it’s the story behind it. 🐻📖
Each Bear celebrates community spirit and helps raise awareness of ellenor’s compassionate care, supporting adults and children with life-limiting illnesses from diagnosis and beyond.
Join us in exploring creativity with purpose! ✨
dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#PurposeDrivenArt #CommunityStory #ellenor #DartfordBearHunt
The Bear Hunt isn’t just a vibrant art trail — it’s a celebration of community and a lifeline for local families. 🐻✨ All proceeds from the trail and auction support ellenor’s vital care services for people in North Kent and Bexley. Every map, donation and shared smile brings us closer to a brighter future.
dartfordbearhunt.co.uk for more info
#SupportLocal #ArtForGood #ellenor #BearHunt
Mark your calendar 🎨🗓️ The Dartford Bear Hunt Auction is coming on 1st October 2026! This is your chance to bid on one of the stunning Bear sculptures you’ve fallen in love with on the trail — and help raise vital funds for ellenor’s compassionate care.
Whether you join in person or online, every bid makes a difference.
dartfordbearhunt.co.uk for more info
#BearAuction #ArtWithHeart #ellenor #CommunityGiving
Watch this space for Bear reveals, artist stories, and vibrant colour popping up across Dartford! 🎉
Learn more about the trail via dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#ArtistSpotlight #ArtInPublicSpaces #CommunityArt #DartfordBearHunt
🐻✨ We’re down to our final Bear Cub for schools and community groups!
If your school or group would love to be part of the Dartford Bear Hunt, this is your last chance to get involved and join the amazing adventure of ellenor`s first art trail this 2026 🎨🐾
Don’t miss out – sign up today at dartfordbearhunt.co.uk and secure the final Cub!
#DartfordBearHunt #CommunityArt #LastChance #hospiceinkent #charityinkent #wildinart #arttrail2026
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.