Follow THE HERDS at museums and galleries across the UK
Take part in an epic journey this spring. Join in activities at museums and galleries inspired by THE HERDS, a climate action project which will see life-size puppet animals sweep through the UK.
From April to August 2025, herds of life-size puppet animals will stampede into cities across Africa and Europe to flee climate disaster.
THE HERDS is the new project by the creators of The Walk, which saw Little Amal, a 12-foot-tall puppet of a Syrian refugee girl, travel from Turkey to the UK.
You’ll can follow the animals’ journey – from Kinshasa to the Arctic Circle – online and via social media as well as get involved in activities and events across the UK.
Find out how to get involved below.
Get involved in THE HERDS
Museums and galleries across the UK are hosting activities and events inspired by THE HERDS, supported by Art Fund.
From puppet-making workshops to a murmuration of human starlings, you’ll be able to find something fun and family-friendly to enjoy. Over 40 museums, galleries and historic houses are taking part, encouraging people to connect with their collections and the natural world and respond to the climate crisis.
Event highlights
Here’s a taster of some of the activities and events taking place across the UK.
April
Silk Heritage Trust, Macclesfield
Working with Babbling Vagabonds, participants will create puppets of migratory birds impacted by the textile industry, for display at the museum.
May
Barnsley Museums in partnership with the National Trust
As the 20-hectare conservation project in Wentworth Castle Garden’s parkland begins, visitors will create animals and insects from recycled materials for an outdoor art installation this summer.
Mold Museum, Flintshire
Families will explore how North Wales’ wildlife has changed over millennia, engaging in museum workshops, a trail, and an evening talk linking the prehistoric collections to today’s climate crisis.
Science and Industry Museum, Manchester
Visitors will explore the surprising species that exist in post-industrial urban spaces using simple surveying techniques, drawing from current ecological surveys of the museum’s 200-year-old site as part of an ongoing major decarbonisation project.
Tenby Museum & Art Gallery, Pembrokeshire
The decline of Pembrokeshire’s puffins will be highlighted in a puppet show co-created with the local community.
Watt Institution, Inverclyde
A community-driven recycling initiative will collect ocean plastic from local beaches, turning it into 3D-printed puppets of marine animals like dolphins and crabs, bringing attention to ocean pollution.
June
Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle
A two-week creative programme in partnership with the Town Moor Fair School will invite children aged 4-11 from showmen’s families to make their own animal puppets exploring themes of migration and movement.
Hay Castle Trust, Powys
Children and adults will create puppets representing local endangered species like the curlew, dormouse, and fritillary butterfly working in collaboration with Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.
Stevenage Museum, Hertfordshire
Inspired by starling flocks, this project combines dance, puppetry and drone photography to create a mesmerising ‘human murmuration’, reflecting the beauty and fragility of wildlife.
July
Beach Creative, Kent
Following the introduction of European bison to the area in 2022, young people will craft a life-size bison puppet from recycled materials to parade through Herne Bay Carnival. The Wilder Blean bison project is delivered in partnership with Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwood Trust.
Activities to do at home
Can't wait for an event? You can download fun activities to do yourself from THE HERDS website.
Let the Wildness In is a set of free resources, education and activity packs, puppet-making guides and more.
The more you see, the more we do.
The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.