One of Royal William Yard’s largest and most famous residents is set to make a big splash again this summer, with the Squiggly Wiggly Giant Squid returning from deep in the ocean, to take pride of place on the lawn. After taking a break over the winter to receive some much-needed TLC, the infamous sea creature is ready to once again entertain families and visitors.

As the Yard’s first acoustic art installation, the Giant Squid is set to make its welcome reappearance to the Yard on Sunday 5^th May, alongside the popular Good Food and Craft Market. To celebrate its arrival, children are invited to colour in their own underwater creations at the Guardhouse with illustrator and Squid Trail designer, Jack Viant.

It’s not just the Squid who is returning, but also its sea creature friends, who are hiding all around the Yard, waiting to be discovered. Visitors are tasked with the challenge of hunting them down by taking part in the Squid Trail, by simply picking up a free trail passport from Yard ambassadors to take part. Once the squid’s six friends have been located, adventurers must make a note of the letter each creature is holding and use it to spell out a six-letter word.

On completion of the trail and armed with the six-letter word, participants can then make their way to retailers across the Yard to collect a free prize. Some Yard restaurants are also offering their own prizes, including:

• Wagamama: Free children’s meal for each completed trail passport
• Wildwood: Free children’s meal for each completed trail passport, with every adult
• Seco Lounge: Free lolly and sweets for each completed trail passport
• Prezzo: Free strawberry or raspberry iced fruit lolly for each completed trail passport
• Bistrot Pierre: Beach ball giveaway with each completed trail passport.

As well as welcoming back the Giant Squid, visitors on 5^th May will also have the opportunity to shop, eat and drink to their heart’s content at the Yard’s popular Good Food and Craft Market. Running from 10am-3pm on the lawn, Main Street and into the Melville Building, the market attracts some of the region’s top artisan makers as well as the region’s finest food and drink producers and vendors.

Hailey Cattle, Regional Marketing Manager for Urban Splash, said, “We are delighted to welcome back the Squiggly Wiggly Giant Squid to the Yard, which proved a big hit with families and visitors last year. Helping to bring our lawn alive with fun, creativity and excitement, the Giant Squid is truly interactive and a lot of fun. Visitors will be amazed when they speak into its tentacles and eyes – listening to how the sound travels around the epic sea creature.

“The Yard is place where something new can be discovered and experienced on every visit, and the Squid captures our spirit and approach in creating a destination which is truly unique. There is something to keep everyone of all ages entertained, and we hope visitors join us in welcoming back our most famous underwater resident, as well as hunting down his elusive friends!”

To help spread the word of the arrival of the Giant Squid, visitors can also capture their Squid selfies, sharing them on Facebook and Instagram, using the hashtag #squidfie