Visitors to Coventry have received exciting news as the beloved Dippy the Dinosaur exhibition at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum has been granted a significant extension. Originally scheduled to depart in February 2026, the iconic diplodocus cast will now remain in place until February 19, 2027, thanks to a one-year agreement with the Natural History Museum.
Popular Exhibition Secures Extended Run
The decision to extend Dippy's stay comes as a direct result of the exhibition's overwhelming popularity since its arrival in Coventry in February 2023. Known affectionately as the Nation's Favourite Dinosaur, this impressive replica skeleton consists of 292 individual bones and stands at an impressive 4.17 metres tall, captivating visitors of all ages.
Affordable Family Entertainment
For those planning a visit, the Herbert Art Gallery offers remarkably accessible pricing. Day tickets are priced at just £3, with children up to the age of 15 enjoying free admission. The museum is conveniently located at Jordan Well, Coventry CV1 5QP, approximately 35 minutes by car or train from Birmingham, making it an ideal destination for regional visitors.
Special Fossil Displays Enhance Experience
During school holiday periods, the museum enhances the Dippy experience with complementary fossil displays that transport visitors back to the Jurassic era. These special exhibitions feature carefully selected fossils from both the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum and Warwickshire Museum collections, offering fascinating insights into the prehistoric marine life that inhabited the Coventry and Warwickshire regions between 200 and 145 million years ago.
One particular highlight of these displays is the Herbert's star fossil – an exceptionally preserved ichthyosaur skull discovered in nearby Harbury. These additional exhibits provide valuable context about the geological history of the Midlands region during the time when much of the area was submerged underwater.
Continuing Educational Impact
The extended exhibition period ensures that Dippy will continue to serve as an educational resource and cultural attraction for the Coventry community and beyond. The 26-metre long replica skeleton has proven particularly effective at engaging young visitors with natural history and paleontology, making complex scientific concepts accessible through tangible, awe-inspiring display.
Local young ambassadors, including Coventry's own Daisy-Marie Taylor who participated in the final bone installation ceremony, have helped foster community connection with the exhibition. This extended run allows for continued educational programming and special events centered around the diplodocus display, ensuring Dippy remains a cornerstone of Coventry's cultural offering through 2027.
