Herd Of Hope
The Herd of Hope – an Elephantastic Surprise in Spitalfields!
Walking Around London
Nestled around the streets and markets of Spitalfields, London, a heartwarming spectacle awaits – the Herd of Hope – a herd of elephants that arrived in Spitalfields back in 2020.
Elephants on Parade:
You might be wondering, “Where exactly can I find these fabulous elephants?” They’re everywhere, from Brushfield Street to Commercial Street, these cute creatures can be found frolicking about in the most unexpected places. You might stumble upon one outside a trendy cafe or spot another peeking out from behind a market stall, one thing’s for sure – you’re in for a trunkload of fun!
There are 20 orphaned infant elephants, all representing real ones that were rescued, and one matriarch.
Spitalfields Market management has always supported local and international artists by providing them with a space to exhibit their artworks. This not only helps these artists but also adds beauty to the open spaces around the market, not to mention providing great photo-ops for the visitors. I was out for a walk with no fixed plan, but finds like this kept me going all day, it was so good coming across so many unexpected and interesting places.
Inspiring Action:
Conceived as a symbol of hope and unity in the face of adversity, the Herd of Hope holds a special place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike. Beyond its role as a captivating art installation, the Herd of Hope also serves as a catalyst for positive change. Through fundraising initiatives, educational programs, and community events, the project aims to raise awareness and support for causes close to its heart. The Herd of Hope is a powerful advocate for social and ecological good.
A Call to Adventure:
Whether you’re a local resident or a curious traveller, you are invited to embrace hope and spread positivity as you discover the Herd of Hope in Spitalfields. Take a leisurely stroll through the neighborhood, seek out each magnificent elephant, and allow yourself to be inspired by the beauty and resilience of this remarkable art installation, and a more hopeful future for the elephants in the wild. The sculptures aim to raise funds and awareness for this next generation of elephants who will grow up into the healthy, supported and loved elephants of tomorrow thanks to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
After spending a bit of time with the elephants, and looking around the market, which was largely closed the day I was there – but that made the elephants more prominent as there weren’t so many people there getting in the way of my photos. I did notice some of the elephants were used to lean on while people stopped to chat.
Find out about more of the discoveries I made on my long walk through London’s history that started off as a visit to St Pauls Cathedral, which was closed to the public that day. So I walked up the road, and each park, place, sculpture and historic site I came across kept leading me on my really long walk. Which ended with dinner down at the Prospect of Whitby on the banks of the River Thames, when I realised I had been walking for 7 or 8 hours!!
The map, the story and more pics can be found here.
