Dippy the dino standing tall in Coventry museum
The free "Dippy in Coventry: The Nation’s Favourite Dinosaur" exhibition has officially opened.
Last updated 20th Feb 2023
Dippy the Diplodocus has welcomed its first visitors, as the world-famous dinosaur takes centre stage at its new Coventry residence.
The iconic 292-bone model was greeted by crowds of people on the opening day of its three-year residency at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum.
Coventry Young Ambassador and local dinosaur fan Daisy-Marie Taylor was selected to put in place the final toe bone.
Daisy-Marie, 10, who attends Templars Primary School in Coventry, said: "It is something I will never forget.
"It is great to have Dippy in Coventry and I’m sure it is going to be really popular."
Visitors to the exhibition can learn more about Dippy, the Jurassic period and how nature and the world we inhabit has changed over time, with dinosaur-themed talks and activities for all the family to enjoy.
Dippy’s new residency in the city follows a 110-year tenure at the Natural History Museum in London and an eight-venue tour across the UK, where Dippy spent time in Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Dorchester, Glasgow, Newcastle upon Tyne, Norwich and Rochdale.
The tour reportedly saw a "Dippy effect" at each venue and region, with a record-breaking two million visitors and just under £36m of economic benefit across all eight locations.
The model’s most recent return to the Natural History Museum attracted over one million people and is expected to create similar demand in Coventry.
Marguerite Nugent, CV Life Director of Culture, said: "Now we’re open, visitors can enjoy our dinosaur themed programme of events and activities, tailored to visitors of all ages, helping them learn more about the Jurassic period, fossils and the evolution of our world.
"Visitors to Dippy can make the most of their visit, exploring Dippy’s new home alongside our three permanent galleries, the History Gallery, Discover Godiva and Peace and Reconciliation and our regularly changing temporary exhibitions."
Dr Doug Gurr, Natural History Museum Director said: "After such a successful tour of the UK we were thrilled to have recently had Dippy back in London for, Dippy Returns: The Nation's Favourite Dinosaur. The success of this installation only further proved our dinosaur’s ability to draw in and enthuse a crowd about the natural world.
"This is why we decided that Dippy would hit the road once more and go on a long-term loan within the UK to benefit a new region and reach a whole new audience. We couldn’t be happier that The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum will be the host of that loan for the next three years and we can’t wait to see the Dippy effect in action again."
The Herbert has extended its opening hours during February half term, until 6pm on February 21, 22, 24 and 25, and until 9pm on Thursday 23 - to allow as many as possible to see Dippy.
Tickets for the exhibition can be found at https://dippyincoventry.co.uk.