Art Trail
© David Oates Photography (Leeds Bear Hunt 2023)
Bear hunt art trail coming 2026!
Each Bear sculpture will be a unique work of art, designed by a mix of local artists from Dartford and the surrounding areas, alongside skilled artists from across the UK.
While we’re excited to bring in national talent, we’re especially proud to showcase the incredible creativity within our own community—giving local artists a platform to share their work with thousands of visitors.
All about the Trail
The sculpture designs will explore themes of sustainability, diversity, and community spirit, ensuring every Bear tells a meaningful story.
Alongside the large Bears, smaller ‘Bear cub’ sculptures—decorated by local schools and community groups—will be displayed in indoor locations, bringing the community together in a creative and inspiring way.
Exploring the trail
Designed to be explored at your own pace, the trail can be completed in an epic single adventure or spread out over multiple days.
A printed map will be available to guide you, and a dedicated trail app will add an extra layer of fun—track your steps, collect rewards from local businesses, and challenge yourself to find every Bear along the way!
While the exact route is still being finalised, the trail will take you to well-known locations across Dartford, offering a fresh perspective on the town’s streets, parks, and landmarks.
trail related events & merchandise
Plus, don’t miss out on exclusive ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ merchandise, the perfect way to remember your journey!
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.
Will you be able to complete the Bear hunt?
General FAQs
This is a huge, free public Art Trail across the borough of Dartford. The trail will run for 8 weeks from July to September 2026. There are 30 large Bear sculptures and 30 Bear Cubs that will be popping up across public spaces, shops, museums and more!
This is a Wild in Art event presented by ellenor, a local hospice charity based in North Kent. The team at ellenor deals with all day-to-day aspects of the trail.
As well as raising vital funds and awareness for ellenor, it is expected that Dartford Bear Hunt will provide an uplift to the local economy by increasing visitor numbers both local and tourists. Visitors to the trail will be spending money in local shops, restaurants and cafes, hotels, on parking or the local transport infrastructure.
Dartford Bear Hunt has been organised by ellenor. Many of the running costs for the trail will be met through our partnerships and sponsorships and the generosity of several organisations. Local schools will take part in the Learning Programme, and businesses displaying our Bear Cubs, are also making a fundraising contribution.
Opportunities to donate to the charity are available on our website and app, and at every Bear sculpture.
All proceeds from map and merchandise sales will benefit ellenor, as well as ticket sales for additional events such as the Farewell exhibition.
The most significant part of the fundraising will be the charity auction, where all of the large Bear sculptures will be sold to help fund local hospice care.
Wild in Art are creative producers of spectacular, meaningful and innovative public art trails.
They work with destinations, charities, brand owners, artists, businesses, learning providers and communities across the UK and worldwide to create memorable events which make a difference.
Visit their website here.
Trail FAQs
Summer 2026, July-September (final dates will be posted on the site once confirmed)
You can follow this trail for free, as often as you’d like! Beyond simply participating, you can also contribute to ellenor’s hospice care in various ways, both during and after the event.
The Bears will be located across the borough of Dartford, final sculpture locations will be revealed closer to the time.
Yes, Trail Maps will be available for a small donation. In addition, there will also be an interactive app you can download to help you find and collect all of the sculptures, as well as receiving top rewards from our sponsors.
More FAQs are being added every week, so please check back here for more information.
Alternatively email Dartfordbearhunt@ellenor.org with your queries
We’re going on an Art Hunt—are you coming?
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