The lion sleeps tonight: Pride of Yorkshire trail comes to an end after 100 days on the prowl
It’s the circle of life
After 100 days prowling the streets, the Pride of Yorkshire trail is coming to an end.
150 life-sized lion sculptures and 150 lion cubs, each designed and painted by artists, schools and community groups, stood proudly on streets all across Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster during the summer.
However, cranes and trucks have now arrived in city centres to bring the cats back inside.
A post on the Pride of Yorkshire Facebook page reads: “We're not crying, you're crying
“This truly is a full circle (of life) moment - 100 days since they were installed, the lions are leaving the trail.
“The trail might be coming to an end, but there's still on more chance to see the Pride together.
“Our Farewell Event at Meadowhall from October 2-4, 2026, will see all 300 lions, lionesses and cubs reunited for one final hu-roar!”
Tickets to the farewell event at Meadowhall are available here: https://prideofyorkshire.org/farewell-event
The Pride was crafted in celebration of Sheffield Children’s Hospital’s 150th anniversary and are now bound for a charity auction to support the transformation of the emergency department.
Since late 2025, selected South Yorkshire artists got their paws dirty designing and painting the Pride of Yorkshire in workshops.
Famous faces include England Women’s Footballer - a Lioness herself - Esme Morgan, cricketeer Joe Root, Pulp’s Richard Hawley, and Sheffield Olympian Jessica Ennis-Hill.
Artists aincluding Bubba2000, Megan ‘Peachzz’ Russell, Sarah ‘Faunagraphic’ Yates, and Pete McKee also took part.
Meanwhile, over hundred schools and community groups were invited to paint the cubs.
Every penny raised at the charity auction will help to create a calm, child-friendly space designed for children and young people in need of urgent care.
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