In celebration of World Elephant Day on Tuesday 12th August 2025, the striking Herd of Hope bronze elephant sculptures will line up in London’s Spitalfields for a limited-time public art installation themed “Every Step Matters.”

From Sunday 10th August to Sunday 17th August, Brushfield Street will be transformed into a powerful open-air tribute to Africa’s elephants, as the majestic life-size sculptures line the historic street. Created to raise awareness for elephant conservation, the Herd of Hope offers Londoners, tourists, and families a chance to walk beside these gentle giants — and reflect on the journey of coexistence needed to secure a better future for wildlife and our planet.

Each step along the trail is a reminder of the threats facing elephants today — from habitat loss to ivory poaching to human-wildlife conflict. Visitors will be invited to follow elephant footprints leading from the sculptures to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s pop-up experience on Spital Square, where they’ll find exclusive merchandise, educational activities, and interactive exhibits showcasing the Trust’s life-saving work in Africa.

Highlights Include:
Photo Opportunities with the full herd on Brushfield Street
Interactive Footprint Trail leading to Spital Square
SWT Pop-up Store with eco-conscious, elephant-inspired gifts, Kenyan-made decorative items, and boutique corner by luxury lifestyle brand Elizabeth Scarlett
Activities & Storytelling: enjoy face painting (10th & 12th), kids’ elephant clay sculpting workshops (12th& 16th) and a ‘sip and paint’ evening session for adults (14th), courtesy of Art Play
Elizabeth Scarlett will join with an ice-cream cart (12th)

A Herd with a Message
“This isn’t just art — it’s a movement”, says Rob Brandford, Executive Director of Sheldrick Wildlife Trust UK. “The Herd of Hope inspires action. Every step you take along the trail is symbolic of the real steps we can all take to protect elephants and promote coexistence.”

“We are incredibly proud to host the Herd of Hope at Spitalfields”, says Jason Dervin, Spitalfields Estates Director. “This beautiful installation not only brings an important message to our vibrant community, but it also transforms our streets into a powerful symbol of hope and conservation. We invite everyone—from local residents to wider London visitors—to see the herd and support the incredible work being done to protect them.”

Since 2021, the family of life-sized bronze elephant sculptures has been a beloved part of the Spitalfields community. These amazing sculptures were created by artists Gillie and Marc and each one has a QR code – scan to discover the individual orphaned elephants’ rescue stories.

Join the Movement: #EveryStepMatters
Visitors are encouraged to share their experience on social media using the hashtag #EveryStepMatters and tag @SheldrickTrust and @SpitalfieldsE1 to spread awareness of the cause and support on-the-ground conservation projects.