Publication Date: 13-01-2026 09:00
‘Dartford We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ art trail showcased at Bellway’s Copperhouse Green development
If you went down to Bellway’s development at Copperhouse Green in Dartford recently, you might have been in for a big surprise.
A fibreglass adult bear and bear cub took the bus to the development to promote the forthcoming ‘Dartford We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ art trail – a large-scale public art project that will appear all over the Kent town from July to September 2026.
The launch event at the development, off Market Street, marked the first public appearance of the sculptures, which are part of the project inspired by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury’s much-loved children’s book ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’.
The trail will see 30 big bears and 30 bear cubs, each individually decorated by local artists, schools and community groups, installed across the borough. The bears will be sponsored by local businesses and Bellway Thames Gateway has already committed to sponsoring one of the sculptures.
The project is being led by ellenor, Dartford’s local hospice charity, and delivered in partnership with Dartford Borough Council and Wild in Art, the creators of public sculpture trails seen in cities worldwide – along with Walker Books and Lupus Films.
Georgie Packer, Project Manager for the Dartford Bear Hunt, said: “It was a real pleasure to visit the Bellway team at their offices with our beautiful bear sculptures, Blum and GEM. We were given a very warm welcome on a very cold day, and the bears looked wonderful in Bellway's new showhome.
“We are so pleased to have the support of generous sponsors like Bellway, Pentagon Transport, ImageWorks, Fastrack, and many more, along with our amazing community of school supporters too. This really is a project for the whole community and is one that brings creativity, compassion, and pride in equal measure. We can’t wait to bring this trail to life next summer and shine a light on the vital support ellenor provides to families when they need it most.”
Carolyn Webb, Sales Manager at Bellway Thames Gateway, said: “When we were contacted by the team at ellenor, we were more than happy to make a donation. It was great fun to meet the team from the charity and to get acquainted with the bears Blum and GEM. They really looked at home in our showhome.
“We are proud to sponsor this fantastic public art project which will brighten up Dartford and will delight parents and children who are already familiar with the book ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’. The brightly painted bears will bring smiles to the faces of people and will hopefully make them think about the value of public art and seek out the book to read to their children.
“This imaginative and engaging trail will raise vital funds and promote greater understanding of the care that ellenor provides – not just in its hospice, but in homes, hospitals, and communities where support is needed most.”
For more information about the new homes Bellway is building at Copperhouse Green, call 01322 772480 or visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/thames-gateway/copperhouse-green.
