In celebration of St Oswald’s 40th and Beatrix Potter’s 160th anniversaries, Penguin Ventures will be bringing Peter Rabbit to Tyneside, with a summer public art trail being planned for 2026.
Peter Rabbit: Tales of the Tyne will see 40 individually decorated sculptures of the character placed in streets, parks and public areas for nine weeks – from Wednesday 15 July to Monday 14 September 2026.
St Oswald’s Hospice – which is presenting the trail in partnership with Wild in Art and The World of Peter Rabbit – is now inviting groups and individuals to sponsor a sculpture. Sponsors will then be matched with an artist, who will decorate it ensuring that each sculpture is completely unique.
Peter Rabbit: Tales on the Tyne will also be supported by a region-wide learning programme for schools and children’s groups with smaller Peter Rabbit sculptures forming a second trail across the city.
The event will culminate with an autumn auction of the Peter Rabbit sculptures to raise funds for Gosforth-based St Oswald’s Hospice.
“Beatrix Potter was an incredible artist as well as a prolific storyteller and Peter Rabbit has been charming children and their families since 1902,” commented Thomas Merrington, creative director at Penguin Ventures. “We are delighted that Wild in Art will be bringing her most iconic character alive, through a series of incredible local artists, in a trail that we are sure will delight and inspire the residents of Newcastle – as well as raise valuable funds for St Oswald’s.”
Natasha Collie, head of marketing (owned brands) at Penguin Random House Children’s, continued: “It’s a real pleasure to be working with St Oswald’s Hospice and Wild in Art on Peter Rabbit: Tales on the Tyne. 2026 also marks the 160th anniversary of Beatrix Potter’s birth, so this bold and joyful celebration of art – in support of St Oswald’s incredible work – feels especially fitting. We can’t wait for Peter Rabbit to bring a whisker of mischief to next summer’s trail.”
Charlie Langhorne, md and co-founder at Wild in Art, added: “We are delighted to partner with The World of Peter Rabbit and to be working with the team at St Oswald’s Hospice once again, on this exciting art trail which will bring this internationally renowned character to Tyneside. I have no doubt that Peter Rabbit will capture the imaginations of residents and visitors alike, while helping to raise vital funds for St Oswald’s. With your support we can create an event that will have significant impact during the summer of 2026.”
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