Lights. Camera. Action

It’s time to roll out the red carpet and meet some of the show-stopping sculptures to lead the cast in the upcoming Gromit Unleashed 3 trail.

The Grand Appeal and Aardman are today announcing its first two glittering sculptures inspired by Netflix’s Wednesday and Roald Dahl’s classic story The BFG as part of a star-studded line-up of international film studios, directors, celebrities and much-loved characters that will take centre stage in the trail this summer.

The much-awaited Gromit Unleashed 3 trail, which hits the streets of Bristol from 30th June 2025, will take visitors on a journey through the movies, with character sculptures inspired by cinema, fables, legends, films and the stories that inspired them.

The hotly anticipated trail will feature more than 50 sculptures to raise funds for The Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity.

Patients from Bristol Children’s Hospital, were given the chance to get up close and personal with some of Gromit Unleashed 3’s newest designs in a special sneak preview.

First up, meet the Snozzcumber eating Big Friendly Wallace sculpture inspired by Roald Dahl’s The BFG and Sir Quentin Blake’s acclaimed illustrations. He’s here to catch your good dreams, sip fizzy Frobscottle from his teacup, and wait for the whizzpopping to begin! The Big Friendly Wallace is sponsored by Yeo Valley Organic, and will be delivering dreams from The New Inn Blagdon this summer.

Leading the line-up and re-imagined by Netflix is Wednesday as Feathers McGraw, inspired by their smash hit series. Sponsored by Burges Salmon, Wednesday will be bringing her signature deadpan look to welcome everyone to Bristol from the iconic Temple Meads station this summer.

Next in the cast lineup is “Walk the Lime” – a citrus-infused homage to the 2005 Johnny Cash biopic, with zesty vibes and a cheeky lime perched right on his nose. Katie Wallis has made sure that this pup, sponsored by and located at Wai Yee Hong, is sure to brighten every moment.

Straight from Wallace & Gromit’s latest escapade in Vengeance Most Fowl, coming to Netflix UK on 25 June, the ingenious, Neat and Tidy gnome has brains, gadgets and a no-nonsense attitude. Combining die-hard determination and gnome-alone genius with a knack for handling everyday tasks with precision, Norbot is the epitome of British charm. Sponsored by Bristol Masons and painted by artist Bridget Phelan, Norbot will be gracing the outside of Freemasons Hall on Park Street with his presence on this year’s trail.

Roll up, roll up. Welcome to the Greatest Dog Show on Earth! Ringmaster, with a flair worthy of P.T. Barnum himself, is decked out in a tailcoat and perfectly balanced top hat. Let this show-stopping pup entertain you with all the thrills and spills of the circus! Created by Tozer Signs and with thanks to the Hitchings and Milner family, our very own Ringmaster has show-stopping charm and circus-sized confidence, ready to take up residence outside Bristol Children’s Hospital this summer.

Nicola Masters, director, The Grand Appeal, commented:

“We are thrilled to be bringing the magic and wonder of cinema, film, stories and legends to our third Gromit Unleashed trail this summer, turning the streets of Bristol and beyond into a living storybook. Each Aardman sculpture is a character, each corner a scene, and together they form a spectacular adventure – all to raise funds for The Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity. By following the trail, families, friends, residents of Bristol and visitors from the UK and all over the world won’t just be part of a city-wide celebration of creativity – everyone will be helping to create a brighter, and better future for young patients in the children’s hospital. This year, Gromit unleashes the magic of cinema grounded in a very real cause.”

Gromit Unleashed builds on the runaway success of Gromit Unleashed, Shaun in the City, and Gromit Unleashed 2 – which collectively have generated over £20 million for The Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity and Cots for Tots, the dedicated charity for the Neonatal Intensive Care Ward at St Michael’s Hospital.

Over the years, there have been interactive sculptures, international collaborations with film studios, celebrities and collaborations with the biggest brands, and this year trail fans can expect that and more from Gromit Unleashed 3.

To keep up to date with the latest news from The Grand Appeal and Gromit Unleashed 3, visit www.gromitunleashed.org.uk and follow @TheGrandAppeal and @gromitunleashed across Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.

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Nicola Masters, director, The Grand Appeal, commented:

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