Elmer the Patchwork Elephant has come to Eastbourne for a celebratory anniversary visit and has brought 11 of his friends with him. 

Wild in Art, in collaboration with Your Eastbourne Business Improvement District (BID), is marking Elmer's 35th anniversary on the seafront with a colourful trail called Elmer’s Art Parade.

The classic children’s picture book Elmer the Patchwork Elephant was written by the late David McKee.

I began my Elmer adventure by the entrance to The Beacon shopping centre and downloaded the trail map online. Trail maps are also available there as well as at the Welcome Building, Eastbourne Library, the Enterprise Shopping Centre and Eastbourne Train Station.

The very first sculpture is of course the patchwork elephant we all know and love - one of the most celebrated book characters of all time.

I then entered The Beacon shopping centre and was greeted by Lily, a statue created by Donna Newman. This Elmer is inspired by artist Claude Monet who was one of Donna’s childhood heroes. 

The Argus: The Elmer I found the most fun was the Tennisphant which is number 3 on the map. It is located by Maybugs shop. It was made with a material similar to artificial turf as a nod to tennis. The name also links to the Eastbourne International Tennis Tournament, which is played at Devonshire Park and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

I then headed up Terminus Road by Qualisea and spotted a dotty masterpiece created by MrASingh. This sculpture, called Polka Dot of course, is inspired by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama.

The Argus:

I wandered further up the road towards the beachfront and stopped outside Harry Ramsdens to find Slunce a Mesic which translates to Sun & Moon in Czech. The artist Adam Pekr chose fellow Czech artist, Alphonse Mucha, as the inspiration for his Elmer design. This Elmer has the perfect viewpoint compared to them all and the beach gives you an opportunity to rest your legs before resuming your walk. 

The Towner Art Gallery, where the Turner Prize is being held, is the location for the next Elmer. Created by Jessica Perrin, it matches the outside pattern of the gallery building, which has brightened up the town since 2019. 

After a walk back into the town centre, I made my way to the memorial roundabout to see the Floating in the Now Elmer by Kelly Ma. The Beautiful Japanese-inspired artwork is a must-see and elegant. Can you also spot Waves surrounding Elmer’s feet and Mount Fuji peaking out over the top?

The Argus: Glen Brooks created the next Elmer on the map which you can find it in Hyde Gardens. Taking a picture was not easy as it was shining in the sunlight. Which is what it should be with the name Sunset. Its stunning landscape painting creates a picturesque piece of artwork inspired by J.W. Turner.

Heading away from Hyde Gardens and down to South Street I came across another Elmer which was tricky to take a photo with. Created by Jenny Leonard, this Elmer named Faces of Basquiat, is situated outside the coffee shop Urban Ground and on a corner of the road by a traffic light crossing. It is always a busy area for pedestrians. Its eyes stuck out most for me, being the stand-out part of the artwork and something to remember. 

The next one on the adventure was my favourite by far and one of the most popular on my Elmer adventure: The Polymath at Eastbourne’s Town Hall. It has the puzzles and mysteries of Leonardo Da Vinci placed around the elephant, reproducing some of his famous sketches. 

The Argus: If you have a love of nature and flowers, the next Elmer is for you. I headed to the Enterprise Centre near the train station and found the bright colourful artwork. The Maestro Morris Elmer sculpture design includes honeysuckle, cornflowers, artichokes, herbs and dandelions. 

The last Elmer on the trail is Frida-phant created by Caroline Daly, a quick walk from the enterprise to the train station. On my trail this was the hardest Elmer to find, hidden near the ticket machines in Eastbourne Station. The perfect place for commuters and train users to stop and admire the artwork after their journey. 

Can you also find all 12 Elmer statues just like I did? Head down to the town centre and give it a go.

Elmer is in town until April 14.