Families will be able to join the hunt for 100 hidden teddy bears this summer as the popular Salisbury Bear Hunt returns for 2026 under the new stewardship of Julia’s House Children’s Hospice.
Running throughout the school summer holidays from Saturday 11 July to Saturday 5 September, the trail will see teddy bears hidden in shop windows across Salisbury city centre, encouraging children and families from across the region to explore the city while raising vital funds for the local children’s hospice.
For the past decade, the Salisbury Bear Hunt has been organised by volunteers for Save the Children. After 10 successful years, organisers decided it was time to hand the event over to another local children’s charity.
Alice Chalmers, Fundraising Manager at Julia’s House, said, “We’re delighted to be taking over the Salisbury Bear Hunt, and we’d like to say a huge thank you to the previous organiser Su Lycett and the Save the Children volunteers for choosing Julia’s House as the event’s new guardian.
“Salisbury Bear Hunt is a fun way to raise awareness and donations for Julia’s House and the specialist care that we provide to children and families in Salisbury, and across Wiltshire and Dorset.”
Children and families taking part will be invited to spot as many bears as possible for the chance to win prizes donated by local businesses and shops.
Su Lycett, former Salisbury Bear Hunt organiser, said, “It’s been fantastic to organise the Salisbury Bear Hunt for Save the Children for ten wonderful years, and we’re so pleased this popular community event can continue with another very important local children’s charity, Julia’s House Children’s Hospice.”
The event also ties in with Children’s Hospice Week, taking place from 15 to 21 June, when schools, nurseries and community groups will host a Big Teddy Takeover to help raise funds for the charity.
Alice added, “We love cuddly toys and play at Julia’s House. The bear is a special symbol for our children’s hospice, and we have been hosting our Big Teddy Takeover event for several years now, so the Salisbury Bear Hunt is a fantastic extension of that theme.
“This year, Salisbury schools taking part in our Big Teddy Takeover will also be given the chance to name some of the 100 bears that will feature in the summer bear hunt.”
Free entry forms will be available from the Julia’s House charity shop, Salisbury Information Centre, Salisbury Library and local bookshops.
Every completed or partially completed form posted in the Bear Post Box at Salisbury Information Centre will be entered into the prize draw, which will take place at the Julia’s House charity shop at 11am on Saturday 12 September.
The Salisbury Bear Hunt is sponsored by Salisbury businesses Wessex Fleet and Xcite Car Leasing.
More information is available at www.juliashouse.org
