Dino-star Dippy the Diplodocus heads to Coventry

 * Press release 

The Natural History Museum’s iconic Diplodocus cast – Dippy – is preparing to set up residence in Coventry. The Jurassic giant will head to the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum from Monday 20^th February 2023 for an initial period of three years, with tickets for the free installation Dippy in Coventry: The Nation’s Favourite Dinosaur available closer to Dippy’s arrival.

Dippy, a replica of a Diplodocus skeleton, first arrived in London in 1905. The 292-bone skeleton arrived in 36 packing cases and was unveiled to the public four months later. The full skeleton in its displayed pose is 26 metres long, 4.3 metres wide and 4.17 metres high. The species lived sometime between 156 - 145 million years ago and belongs to a group called sauropods, meaning 'lizard feet'.

After 110 years on display in London, Dippy recently embarked on an eight-city tour, which saw it taking in every country in the UK, spending time in Dorchester, Birmingham, Belfast, Glasgow, Newcastle upon Tyne, Cardiff, Rochdale, and Norwich. All the venues and regions that played host to the well-travelled Diplodocus cast reported what has come to be known as the ‘Dippy effect’, with a record-breaking two million visitors recorded and an economic benefit of just under £36m across the eight regions which together hosted over 2 million visitors to Dippy. It is hoped that the same benefits will be seen in Coventry, with the dino-star continuing to engage people of all ages with nature and encouraging them to protect it.

Those who will miss Dippy’s presence at the Natural History Museum will be pleased to know that a new weatherproof bronze replica of the much-loved Diplodocus specimen will be welcoming visitors in the grounds of the Museum as part of its Urban Nature Project, due for completion in early 2024.

Dippy’s long-term loan to the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum comes after the venue underwent a vast refurbishment in preparation for Coventry UK City of Culture, enabling the gallery to display more works and major world-class exhibitions including The Turner Prize 2021.

Free tickets will be available to book at the Herbert website closer to Dippy’s arrival.

Dr Doug Gurr, Natural History Museum Director said:

‘Dippy has always been a much loved and hugely popular attraction here in London. This popularity made our favourite dinosaur the perfect ambassador for nature when we sent Dippy on tour to all four corners of the UK where is was visited by over 2 million people!

‘After a brief respite back here at the Museum where over a million more people visited Dippy Returns: The Nation’s Favourite Dinosaur, we couldn’t be more thrilled that Dippy will now be taking up residence in Coventry.

‘We wish the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum every success and know that Dippy will continue to educate and inspire visitors to explore nature on their own doorsteps and become advocates for the planet.’

Paul Breed, CEO of CV Life which operates Herbert Art Gallery & Museum said:

“Dippy is the UK’s most popular dinosaur so to have something so huge, so iconic, coming to Coventry’s Herbert Art Gallery & Museum is just fantastic.

“It’s a brilliant opportunity for the Herbert, but with how much footfall it will bring, it’s also a huge opportunity for Coventry and the wider economy.

           

“We look forward to welcoming Dippy and I can’t wait to see the impact it will have on visitors.

“This kind of world class exhibit should be available to all and I’m glad that with our free ticketing system Dippy will be accessible to everyone, from Coventry school kids to international tourists – it’s going to be a brilliant three years.”

Listings

Dippy in Coventry: The Nation’s Favourite Dinosaur

From Monday 20 February

Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Jordan Well, Coventry, CV1 5QP

FREE tickets available to book closer to Dippy’s arrival, check theherbert.org for details