Excellent news has emerged for dinosaur enthusiasts and cultural visitors across the West Midlands region. The immensely popular Dippy the dinosaur exhibit, a famous cast from the Natural History Museum, has been granted a significant extension to its residency in Coventry. This beloved attraction will now remain on display at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum for an additional year, with its stay confirmed until 19th February 2027.
A Landmark Extension for a Prehistoric Star
The decision to extend Dippy's visit provides a wonderful opportunity for more people to experience this iconic exhibit. The 26-metre (85-foot) long skeleton cast, a life-size replica of a Diplodocus carnegii, first arrived at the Herbert in February 2023. Since its installation, museum officials estimate that the spectacular display has drawn an impressive audience of approximately half a million visitors, highlighting its tremendous appeal.
The Fascinating Story of Dippy
Dippy represents a colossal plant-eating dinosaur species that is believed to have roamed the Earth around 150 million years ago during the Jurassic period. Diplodocus dinosaurs were characterised by their extraordinarily long necks and powerful, whip-like tails. These magnificent creatures could grow to an immense length of 24 to 26 metres and weigh up to an astonishing 15 tonnes.
The skeleton cast itself holds a rich history within British cultural institutions. It was first unveiled to the public at the Natural History Museum in London back in 1905, where it quickly became one of the museum's most recognisable and cherished exhibits. Over the decades, Dippy has captured the imagination of generations of visitors.
Dippy's Previous West Midlands Success
This is not Dippy's first triumphant tour of the West Midlands. As part of a wider UK touring programme, the celebrated replica previously visited Birmingham. It was displayed at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery from 26th May to 9th September 2018. During that period, the 21.3-metre (70-foot) long cast was housed in the prestigious Gas Hall.
That exhibition proved to be a phenomenal success, attracting more than 250,000 visitors and establishing itself as the museum's most popular temporary exhibition to date. The current extended stay in Coventry now offers another major city in the region the chance to host this cultural phenomenon, boosting local tourism and providing educational enrichment for families, schools, and dinosaur aficionados alike.
