Since arriving in Coventry three years ago, Dippy the dinosaur has captivated over half a million visitors, prompting the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum to extend its exhibition. The colossal 26-meter-long diplodocus replica, originally displayed at London’s Natural History Museum, will now remain on show until February 19, 2027.
This extension reflects the dinosaur’s strong local and regional appeal. The agreement between the Natural History Museum and the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum adds an extra year to Dippy’s initially planned three-year residency in the Midlands.
Just a short drive from Birmingham city centre, the Herbert Art Gallery has seen a significant boost thanks to Dippy’s presence. An evaluation by Durnin Research estimates that from February 2023 to 2025, the exhibit has contributed £2.1 million to Coventry’s visitor economy.
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Dippy has inspired a host of dinosaur-themed family events, including overnight “Doze Under Dippy” experiences and the popular Brick Dinos exhibition featuring LEGO models created with palaeontologists. November 2025 also saw new additions to the museum’s dinosaur collection, such as an Allosaurus model head and a showcase of Cruxicheiros newmanorum, a T. rex-shaped dinosaur discovered near Coventry.
Visitors can also explore fossils of Jurassic sea creatures that inhabited the region between 200 and 145 million years ago, further enriching the museum’s prehistoric offerings.
Marguerite Nugent from CV Life, which manages the Herbert, remarked, “Dippy has been a huge hit for visitors of all ages over the last three years and has helped establish the Herbert as a must-visit destination in the West Midlands. The ‘Dippy effect’ is evident not only in visitor numbers but also in the popularity of dinosaur-themed events across the city.”
Dr Alex Burch, Director of Public Programmes at the Natural History Museum, added, “Dippy has the unique ability to ignite imaginations and raise awareness about biodiversity and the natural world. This extension provides an excellent opportunity to inspire more visitors and support Coventry’s economy.”
With the beloved dinosaur set to stay for another year, locals and tourists alike have ample time to experience this remarkable piece of natural history at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum.