Wallace and Gromit come to life: Gromit Unleashed Trail Sculptures revealed
The Iconic Gromit Unleashed Trail is coming back for another year, with a brand new character
Excitement is already building for Aardman and The Grand Appeal’s Gromit Unleashed 3, the highly anticipated sculpture trail coming to the streets of Bristol next year.
Ahead of its official launch on June 30th, 2025, the first four sculptures set to feature, have been revealed.
The nation’s favourite iconic characters Wallace, Gromit and their notorious arch-enemy Feathers McGraw will all appear in the trail, as will Aardman’s brand-new character: Norbot, the Smart Gnome, who is set to feature in the upcoming Wallace and Gromit film, Vengeance Most Fowl, this Christmas.
The animation studio has partnered with the charity for another year to fundraise for the Bristol Children’s Hospital. Since 2013, Gromit Unleashed has raised more than £20 million.
Martin Gargan, Clinical Chair of the Children’s Division at University Hospitals Bristol, said “When the trails take place, the excitement is palpable, not just around the city but within the walls of the hospital – we have a few Gromits that are exclusively kept for patients' eyes only and we cannot wait to see more of what's instore for next year. It truly brings magic to patients, their families and of course everyone visiting the city.”
In celebration of the film release, Gromit Unleashed will be taking visitors on a journey through the movies, with character sculptures inspired by famous movies and the stories that inspired them.
Designed and painted by The Grand Appeal’s Creative Lead Emily Golden, King of Diamonds is a playing card-themed Feathers McGraw that look like it’s jumped straight out of the pages of Alice in Wonderland.
Wallace’s character is a homage to historical epic stories featuring Roman soldiers and heroic gladiators, created by local set and scenic artists Mawford Arts.
And Gromit is ready to light up the dancefloors of disco films such as Saturday Night Fever, Boogie Nights and Pulp Fiction as created by mosaic artist Lizzie Tucker.
Nicola Masters, the co-founder and director of The Grand Appeal, explains: “Aardman and Bristol go together like cheese and crackers, and we are ready to embrace Bristol’s pioneering, innovative, and creative spirit and Gromit’s inventiveness to develop Gromit Unleashed and deliver our next sculpture trail.
“Often, the children will go to Gromit, principally, and they will look in his eyes and put their arm around him, and it's that interaction. It's just the magic in that moment, and you think, yes, we've given you something back, we hope you will support us, and with that we can give back to sick children.
“Our partnership with Bristol Children’s Hospital goes back many years, and in that time, we have seen the hospital grow and innovate to help save more lives and to pioneer new treatments for sick children from Bristol and across the region, something we are immensely proud to be a part of.”
What started as a one-off sculpture trail over a decade ago has now evolved into an iconic and much-loved brand worldwide.
Sean Clarke, managing director of Aardman, added: "We cannot wait to bring the excitement and energy of the trail to the streets of Bristol next year and create more memorable moments.
"The fact that it comes hot off the heels of the release of our next Wallace and Gromit film Vengeance Most Fowl, and as we celebrate 30 years of partnership with the charity, makes it even more meaningful."
The money raised provides direct support for sick and critically ill children and their families; funding life-saving medical equipment, groundbreaking research, family accommodation, and art, music and play programmes.”
Businesses and organisations looking to get involved and sponsor a sculpture are invited to get in touch and find out more by visiting The Grand Appeal website here.