Brand new Gromit Unleashed sculptures unveiled ahead of trail next summer

The iconic Wallace and Gromit trail returns to the streets of Bristol next summer with the first sculptures exclusively revealed today (Thursday, November 11). At a special unveiling in Bristol this morning The Grand Appeal and Aardman showcased the first sculptures of the upcoming trail, which will hit the streets of Bristol on June 30, 2025.

Officially named 'Gromit Unleashed 3', the 2025 trail will follow Aardman's new Wallace & Gromit feature film, 'Vengeance Most Fowl', which is set for release this Christmas. But it won’t just be the beloved characters of Wallace, Gromit, and supervillain Feathers McGraw dotted over the city.

In a "cracking" plot twist for the third Gromit Unleashed trail Aardman will be adding a brand new character to the mix - Norbot the smart gnome. Norbot is Wallace's enigmatic new invention from 'Vengeance Most Fowl'.

READ MORE: Giant Elf on the Shelf returns to Bristol - here's a list of locations

READ MORE: Daughter smokes her dad's ashes after he had 'one last wish'

The first three uniquely designed sculptures to be revealed today feature the beloved duo, Wallace & Gromit, and their returning arch-enemy Feathers McGraw.

Designed and painted by The Grand Appeal's creative lead, Emily Golden, 'King of Diamonds' is a playful Feathers McGraw that looks like it could have jumped straight from the pages of Lewis Carrol's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'.

Meanwhile, Wallace takes on a whole new character paying homage to epic historical stories featuring Roman soldiers and heroic gladiators, created by local set and scenic artists, Mawford Arts.

Gromit, on the other hand, is ready to light up the dancefloors of disco films, such as 'Saturday Night Fever' and 'Boogie Nights', with a creation by mosaic artist Lizzie Tucker.

Sign up to receive our What's On in Bristol newsletter for all the latest on things to do and places to eat.

The Grand Appeal will be revealing more designs closer to the trail launch next summer. Gromiteers (a term coined in 2013 for visitors to the trail) can expect an array of designs including famous names, fable and story characters, movies and more.

Previous sculpture trails have featured designs from the likes of Disney Pixar, Lego, Joanna Lumley, Sir Quentin Blake, Dreamworks, and Jools Holland.

Nicola Masters, co-founder and director of The Grand Appeal, said: “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.

“Today we are unveiling our first designs, but we have lots of surprises in store for 2025 – this trail will bring the glamour of the silver screen as well as the magic of tales, fables and stories to the streets of Bristol. Since announcing the return of Gromit Unleashed last year, we have already received incredible support from businesses, artists, partners, and locations.

"For anyone wanting to be involved, now is the time to get in touch if you haven't already. Our partnership with Bristol Children’s Hospital goes back many 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.”

Since 2013, Gromit Unleashed has generated more than £20 million for The Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children's Hospital charity. What started as a one-off sculpture trail a decade ago has evolved into an iconic and much-loved brand, spanning collectable giftware, a major online and in-store retail outlet, and multiple trails, exhibitions, events, auctions and activities worldwide.

The original trail of Bristol's most popular pup all the way back in the summer of 2013 attracted 1.2 million visitors and raised £2.3 million at auction alone. It took the city by storm back then, but event trail organisers at The Grand Appeal had no idea just how much of a phenomenon it would become.

Following its enormous initial success, Gromit Unleashed went global with a trip to Hong Kong. The Grand Appeal teamed up with Aardman to create 70 new spectacular sculptures in a first outside the UK. Then came Shaun in the City in 2015 in Bristol and London, then Gromit Unleashed 2 took Bristol by storm in 2018.

Sean Clarke, managing director at Aardman, added: “We’re incredibly proud of our partnership with The Grand Appeal and all we’ve achieved together. 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, ground-breaking 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 official web page, here.