An enormous 26-metre-long dinosaur exhibit that has captivated visitors across the West Midlands will remain in Coventry for an additional year, museum officials have confirmed. Dippy the dinosaur, the iconic diplodocus skeleton replica, will continue its residency at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum until February 19, 2027, following an overwhelming public response.
Record-Breaking Success in Coventry
Since arriving in Coventry three years ago, Dippy has welcomed more than half a million visitors to the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum. The exhibit's remarkable popularity has prompted museum bosses to extend its stay beyond the original three-year agreement. The Natural History Museum in London and Coventry's Herbert Art Gallery have jointly agreed to this one-year extension, recognising the significant regional interest the display has generated.
Economic Impact and Visitor Experience
Between February 2023 and February 2025, Dippy's presence is estimated to have contributed approximately £2.1 million to Coventry's visitor economy, according to research conducted by Durnin Research. This substantial economic boost reflects the considerable visitor expenditure within the city during exhibition visits.
The Herbert has developed an extensive programme of dinosaur-themed events to complement the main exhibition. These include innovative experiences such as Doze Under Dippy overnight stays and the Brick Dinos exhibition, which featured LEGO dinosaur sculptures created in collaboration with professional palaeontologists.
Expanding Dinosaur Collections
In November 2025, the museum enhanced its Discover Dinosaurs collection with significant additions. These include a detailed model of an Allosaurus head and a showcase featuring the Cruxicheiros newmanorum, a T. rex shaped dinosaur discovered just a few miles from Coventry. The exhibition also displays fascinating fossils of Jurassic sea creatures that inhabited the Coventry and Warwickshire region between 200 and 145 million years ago.
Historical Significance and Accessibility
The 292-bone, 4.17-metre-high replica skeleton first arrived in London in 1905 and has inspired generations of visitors to engage with natural history. After 110 years on display in the capital, Dippy embarked on an eight-city UK tour that included a notable stop at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery in 2018.
For visitors travelling from Birmingham, the Herbert Museum is conveniently accessible with a drive of approximately 35 minutes down the M6, traffic permitting. Alternatively, train journeys from Birmingham to Coventry typically take around 37 minutes.
Environmental Education and Future Impact
Dr Alex Burch, Director of Public Programmes at the Natural History Museum in London, commented on the exhibition's extended stay: "It's been fantastic to see the success of Dippy at the Herbert. We know that biodiversity is under threat and the planet is facing a crisis. Dippy has the ability to capture people's imagination. Through this extended stay we hope the nation's favourite dinosaur can encourage even more people to care about the natural world as well as bringing further economic benefit to Coventry."
The extended exhibition period represents a significant opportunity for continued environmental education and engagement with natural history throughout the West Midlands region.
