Who Are Wallace and Gromit?
Wallace and Gromit are as British as they come. But if you haven’t heard of the iconic duo (have you been living under a rock?!) then let me introduce them.
Wallace, famously voiced by Peter Sallis and later Ben Whitehead, is the ultimate eccentric inventor, with a penchant for Wensleydale cheese. He’s constantly cooking up elaborate gadgets, usually to solve simple problems.
Gromit, his faithful beagle, might not speak a word, but his raised eyebrows and knowing glances say it all. Together, they’ve taken on everything from criminal penguins to giant mutant rabbits, earning their place in animation history.
And what do these two plasticine masterminds have in common? They were filmed right here in Bristol.
“Some of the best-loved stars to come out of the UK.”
This iconic British claymation duo was dreamed up by Nick Park and brought to life by Aardman Animations, based in Spike Island, Bristol, and has been delighting audiences since 1989.
With Wallace’s goofy charm and Gromit’s expressive eye-rolls, they’ve become global cultural icons representing modern British life.
The History of Bristol Wallace and Gromit
Wallace and Gromit’s journey began with the Oscar-nominated A Grand Day Out. Released in 1989, the short film introduced audiences to the pair as they journeyed to the moon (because everyone knows it’s made of cheese, right?). This debut set the tone for their future escapades: endearing, clever, and filled with ingenious inventions.
The follow-up shorts, The Wrong Trousers (1993) and A Close Shave (1995), brought even more acclaim. Both earned Oscars, with The Wrong Trousers introducing the menacing penguin villain, Feathers McGraw, and A Close Shave adding a romantic twist for Wallace alongside a woolly subplot. These films solidified Wallace and Gromit’s status as household names.
Their big-screen debut came in 2005 with The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, a feature-length adventure that won an Academy Award and became one of the highest-grossing stop-motion films of all time. Wallace and Gromit's combination of slapstick humour, incredibly clever claymation, and classic Britishness charmed audiences worldwide.
Challenges and Comebacks
Not everything has been smooth sailing. In 2005 a devastating studio fire destroyed many of the original models. However, a few treasures did survive, such as the iconic Cooker from A Grand Day Out.
Not long after, a collaboration with DreamWorks ended in 2007 due to creative differences, but Aardman Animations quickly bounced back. In 2008, A Matter of Loaf and Death became the most-watched TV program in the UK that year, proving that Wallace and Gromit still had plenty of appeal.
After Peter Sallis’ retirement and eventual passing in 2017, Nick Park reassured fans that the characters’ legacy would live on. In 2024, the pair returned in the much-anticipated Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, marking the triumphant comeback of Feathers McGraw and delighting fans old and new.
Bristol Cameos in Wallace and Gromit
It’s not an exact science, and without asking Nick Park or those over at Aardman Studios, we can only make a few educated guesses about how much Bristol has impacted Wallace and Gromit’s adventures.
That said, there are a few sneaky coincidences that maybe only Bristolians would recognise about the otherwise Lancashire-based duo. For instance (and no spoilers in case you haven’t yet seen the latest installment)...
The Zoo that Feathers McGraw is detained in looks oddly like the old Bristol Zoo which closed down in 2022.
The canals were oddly reminiscent of Finzel’s Reach.
The museum has a strikingly similar layout to Bristol’s (the two stairs either side of an arched door).
Stop-Motion Technology: Creating Wallace and Gromit
Bristol Wallace and Gromit’s adventures come to life through the wizardry of stop-motion animation. This process involves painstakingly moving models frame by frame—24 frames for just one second of film! With such precision, even a half-hour short like A Close Shave takes an eternity to create. Animators reportedly manage a whopping 30 frames a day, which means patience is as essential as the plasticine used to mold the characters.
But not everything can be sculpted by hand. For The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, creating effects like floating bunnies and billowing smoke called for a touch of digital magic. Visual effects artists studied the physical models for months to ensure their CGI creations were worked into the shots expertly.
Interesting fact: to preserve the handcrafted feel that audiences love, fingerprints and imperfections were added to the digital elements.
The Bristol Wallace and Gromit Trail 2025: “A Cracking Good Time!”
Even decades after their debut, Bristol Wallace and Gromit remain as popular as ever. Recent years have seen them venture into new territories, including augmented reality with The Big Fix Up app. This allowed fans to join Wallace and Gromit on one of their classic escapades.
In Bristol, where Aardman Animations is located, Wallace and Gromit are especially celebrated. In the past the city hosted the “Gromit Unleashed” trail, where colourful statues of Gromit (and occasionally Wallace) popped up across town. And it has just been released that a new Gromit Unleashed trail is scheduled from 30th June to 31st August 2025.
A Glimpse of What’s to Come
This year, the event coincides with the release of Aardman’s latest feature film, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. While the full lineup of sculptures remains under wraps, a sneak peek has already set tongues wagging.
Expect to see Feathers McGraw’s King of Diamonds persona, Wallace as a Roman gladiator, and Gromit dazzling as a disco ball. Not to mention a debut from Norbot, Wallace’s quirky "smart gnome" invention!
These beloved characters will appear in movie-themed guises, adding a cinematic twist to the much-anticipated trail. The trail will culminate in a grand exhibition and auction, giving fans the chance to see all the sculptures in one place—and maybe even take one home (for a pricey sum, of course!).
How the Gromit Unleashed Trail Has Made an Impact
The Bristol Wallace and Gromit Unleashed Trail is possible due to an almost 30-year partnership between The Grand Appeal and Aardman Animations. Since its debut in 2013, Gromit Unleashed has captivated millions, with over 500 sculptures raising a staggering £20 million for Bristol Children’s Hospital.
The trail’s impact extends far beyond the city, funding vital medical research, providing comforting family spaces, and offering arts and play therapy to young patients. This year’s trail continues to support Bristol Children’s Hospital and St. Michael’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
So, every sculpture you spot, selfie you snap, and trail map you clutch contributes to life-changing care for children and families!
Beyond the Bristol Wallace and Gromit Trail with CityDays
While you’re in town hunting for Gromit, why not add a little extra adventure to your visit? CityDays offers scavenger and treasure hunt tours that uncover Bristol’s best-kept secrets.
These interactive experiences will guide you through the city’s history, culture, and quirky corners. Solve clues, uncover hidden gems, and see Bristol in a whole new light.
The fun doesn’t stop in Bristol—CityDays operates worldwide, so you can embark on a puzzle-filled journey wherever your travels take you. From uncovering the mysteries of London’s 2,000-year old history to solving a murder mystery in Sydney, the adventures are endless.
