Grass animal sculptures return to York - The Yorkie

Grass animal sculpture of a bear for summer 2026 in York

The York BID has brought the grass animals back to York this summer from April to September.

The pieces are part of the York BID’s push to bring nature into the city in a way that’s fun for the whole family.

Also returning to York is Tommy Treebark’s Wild Adventure, a family friendly walking trail to find colourful Yorkshire wildlife hidden around the city, as well as colourful summer benches around the city.

There is a reward for those who manage to find all 55 animals on the trail in the form of either a cuddly toy or the coveted Tommy Treebark badge.

Artist Selkie Ray worked in partnership with York BID to design the animals.

You can find the 12 sculptures across the centre of York including at Dean’s Park, Davygate, the Museum Gardens and more.

We don’t want to spoil the fun of finding them all yourself, so here are just a couple photos of our favourites.

The grass panda sculpture in front of the York gallery.

If you go to the York Art Gallery, out the front you can see a giant panda helping himself to snack.

The grass lion sculpture in the garden of remembrance.

The grass lioness sculpture in the garden of remembrance.

The Garden of Remembrance containing the city’s war memorial is guarded at the entrance by a lion and lioness.

The tortoise sculpture in the eye of York at sunset, surrounded by seating and greenery.

Finally, here is a tortoise sculpture is basking in the sunset in the Eye of York between the castle museum and Clifford’s tower. There is also a snail nearby completing the leisurely paced pair.