Once again, it is that beautiful time of year when our thoughts turn to the New Forest Poppy Hunt 2026.
A few weeks ago, Jenny and I decided to pack a cool bag with a few drinks, hop on our bikes, and head down to our lovely local beach at Milford on Sea to enjoy the early autumn sunshine. These beach visits are often when we find ourselves brainstorming, dreaming up new concepts for upcoming sculpture projects. With the hunt now just weeks away, it didn’t take long for the poppies to enter the conversation.
Every year, we face the same creative challenge: How do we evolve the design? Should they be bigger? Smaller? Our ultimate goal is always to create something completely distinct from the year before, ensuring each hunt feels fresh and unique.
This year, the inspiration came from a deeply personal place. I lost my mum very suddenly earlier this year. In the difficult days that followed, a wonderful friend gifted me a small candle holder and a pack of candles. It allowed me to light a candle each night next to Mum’s photograph. I can’t quite explain why, but that simple ritual deeply touched me and brought immense comfort as I remembered her.
Sitting on the beach, it got me thinking. What if our poppies could serve a similar, comforting purpose? What if I designed this year’s poppies to be beautiful candle holders? We could encourage people to light them at home, creating a quiet moment to reflect not only on personal loss but on all those who have fallen in the name of peace.
To take the idea further, I wanted to make the poppies translucent, allowing the gentle glow of the candlelight to shine through the metalwork and illuminate the poppy from within. As we spoke, the vision clicked. Jenny and I both knew instantly that we had found our design for the 2026 New Forest Poppy Hunt.
I am incredibly excited to bring these unique sculptures to life. As always, I will be crafting the first 11 poppies to hide across the Forest, with another 11 set aside for our annual charity auction.
Believe it or not, this is now our 12th year running the hunt! As you can imagine, finding fresh hiding places across the New Forest has become a bit of a puzzle. Because of that, I’ve decided to branch out this year. I’ll be hiding the poppies a little further afield than my usual go-to spots, so prepare for a proper adventure!
I am continually thrilled by how engaged our community is—it has truly become a cherished local tradition.
We will be keeping the same format as previous years, and you can find all the details on how to get involved listed below.
Thank you all so much for joining me on this journey. It is a project incredibly close to my heart, and I am forever grateful for your wonderful support.
The New Forest Poppy Hunt Rules & Guidelines
The format this year remains mostly the same as our previous hunts, but with a few exciting twists! Here is everything you need to know to get involved, stay safe, and secure your piece of 2026 art.
🕵️♂️ The Hunt: Sunday 8th November 2026
I will be hiding 11 unique poppies across the New Forest and local areas.
The Clues: Starting at 7:00 am on Sunday 8th November, I will post the first clue on my Instagram page for Poppy Number 1. From there, expect new clues—ranging from photos to cryptic riddles—approximately every hour throughout the day.
Be Ready: Don’t be fooled into thinking you can lounge around in your dressing gown, sip your coffee, and casually stroll out to find one. The “die-hard” poppy hunters will be sitting in their cars or on their bikes, engines and legs primed and ready to move the second a clue drops!
📸 What to do if you find a Poppy
Snap and Share Immediately: If you are lucky enough to spot a poppy, please take a photo of yourself with it right then and there. Post it to our Instagram or Facebook page immediately. This lets the community know the poppy has been successfully found so others don’t keep searching that spot.
Support the Cause: Once you get safely back home, I would be incredibly grateful if you could make a donation to my JustGiving Page. Please remember to reference your poppy’s number in your donation comment so I can track them. Every single penny raised goes directly to The Royal British Legion.
🐎 A Gentle Reminder: Stay Safe
I know the adrenaline gets pumping and everyone wants to be first, but please remember where we are. Do not speed. Keep a very sharp eye out for our New Forest ponies and wildlife that like to hide around blind corners, and please remain courteous to your fellow hunters and local residents.
🔨 The Online Auction: Monday 2nd Nov – Sunday 8th Nov
If you aren’t able to join the hunt or miss out on a hidden poppy, don’t worry! You still have a fantastic chance to take one home while supporting a great cause.
The Other 11 Poppies: I have crafted a separate set of 11 translucent candle-holder poppies explicitly for our charity auction.
The Timings: The auction goes live at 7:00 am on Monday 2nd November and will officially close at 7:00 pm on Sunday 8th November.
How to Bid: Head over to our official ‘Michael Turner Poppy Candle Holder Auction’ to place your bids.
🛑 One Final Note
Every year, I am kindly asked if these poppies are available for direct purchase. To keep this tradition truly exclusive and special, I do not make these poppies to sell privately. The only way to own one of these 2026 editions is to successfully find one in the forest or win one through the online charity auction.
Good luck to everyone—let the countdown to November 8th begin!
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