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
A huge thank you to all of our incredible artists who have helped bring the Dartford Bear Hunt to life. 🐻
Behind every bear is a story, a creative vision and countless hours of passion and dedication. From the first ideas and designs through to the finished artworks being enjoyed by the community, our talented artists have created something truly special for Dartford.
Your creativity has helped transform the town into a place of discovery, bringing families together, inspiring young explorers and helping us raise awareness of ellenor and the vital support we provide for local families.
We are so grateful for the time, talent and imagination you have shared with us. Thank you for helping make the Dartford Bear Hunt a trail to remember.
Discover the stories behind the artists and their amazing creations at dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#ellenor #WildInArt #DartfordBearHunt #Dartford #CommunityArt #ThankYou
Taking place in the Bluewater Village Marquee, this family-friendly event is your final opportunity to experience the full collection of over 80 Bears and Cubs together in one spectacular display.
With timed entry slots available across both Saturday and Sunday, it’s easy to plan your visit. Plus, with free on-site parking and a great choice of restaurants and cafés nearby in Bluewater’s food court, why not make a day of it?
Don’t miss this unforgettable finale to the Bear Hunt Trail – we can’t wait to see you there!
Buy tickets at dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
Celebrate World Photography Day with the Dartford Bear Hunt! 🐻📸
We want to see your favourite bear discoveries! Whether you’ve found a colourful creation, a hidden favourite or a bear that made you smile, take a photo and share your bear hunting moments with us.
Tag @Dartfordbearhunt so we can see your adventures and share your amazing photos with our community.
A special thank you also goes to Nick from The Image Works, who has been capturing the magic of the Dartford Bear Hunt throughout the trail. From behind the scenes moments to families enjoying the experience, Nick has helped bring the story of this incredible event to life through his photography and content, Nick`s sponsored bear is the Sundae bear!
Find out more about the trail at dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#WorldPhotographyDay #DartfordBearHunt #ellenor #WildInArt #Dartford #CommunityArt #PhotoChallenge
Come and watch the screening of We`re Going On A Bear Hunt Charity Screening at Bluewater
Book in via
https://www.showcasecinemas.co.uk/movies/1000050486-were-going-on-a-bear-hunt-charity-screening/
#dartfordbearhunt #ellenor #bluewatershowcase #ellenorretail #bearhunt
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.
#ellenor #dartfordbearhunt #hospiceinkent #kentcharity
Your donations on this art trail 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.
visit ellenor.org to learn more
#arttrail #wildinart #hospicecharity #fundraising #ellenor
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’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.
