New Gromit Unleashed sculpture trail coming to Bristol

Aardman inspired sculptures will hit the streets again in 2025

Colourful Gromits have become a hugely popular symbol of Bristol
Author: James DiamondPublished 23rd Aug 2023

A new Aardman inspired sculpture trail will appear on the streets of Bristol in 2025.

Aardman and the Bristol Children's Hospital charity The Grand Appeal have confirmed the news this morning (23 August) as the city marks 10 years since the first Gromit Unleashed trail hit the city.

Since 2013, Gromit Unleashed has raised more than £20 million for The Grand Appeal, now featuring collectable gifts, online and instore retail offers and activities worldwide that have built on the original trail.

2025's edition will come hot on the heels of Aardman's new Wallace & Gromit feature film, which is set for release in 2024.

Nicola Masters, director of The Grand Appeal, comments: “We had no idea in 2013 that Gromit Unleashed would grow into the global brand it is now.

"Personally, it’s one that is incredibly close to my heart.

"It’s been nearly 30 years since The Grand Appeal was founded.

"In that time, there have been so many career-defining moments – but Gromit Unleashed has stolen its fair share of them!

“I will never forget the moment the first Gromits arrived in the city on the back of the steam train driven by Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park at the M-Shed; the 6-hour-long queue to see the Greatest Dog Show on Earth exhibition at the former Habitat store in Clifton or the elation we all felt as the very first sculpture went under the hammer at our auction at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway.

“Now, we are ready to embrace Bristol’s pioneering, innovative, creative spirit and Gromit’s inventiveness to deliver a new sculpture trail in Bristol in 2025, with our partners at Aardman.”

Following its enormous initial success, Gromit Unleashed went global with a trip to Hong Kong, where 70 sculptures were unveiled in a first outside the UK.

Then Shaun the Sheep came to Bristol in 2015, before Gromit Unleashed 2 hit Bristol in 2018.

"Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: “The Grand Appeal has raised around £80 million to help build and support Bristol Children’s Hospital since 1995, so it’s cracking that another Gromit Unleashed trail will take place across Bristol in 2025.

"Undoubtedly this will be another brilliant addition to out city’s summer calendar.

"I’m sure fellow Bristolians will be excited to see the newest designs of Aardman’s iconic characters out on our streets before they are auctioned to hopefully raise millions more for such an inspiring charity.”

Planning for the 2025 trail is underway and any sponsors, artists or anyone wishing to get involved should visit www.gromitunleashed.org.uk.

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