Dippy the dinosaur's Coventry stay extended due to demand

The Natural History Museum’s Diplodocus cast has had its stay at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum extended for another year.

Named Dippy, the iconic dinosaur model arrived at the Herbert in February 2023. Initially intended for a three-year stay, the 292-bone replica skeleton will now remain at the museum until 19 February 2027.

Thanks to the 26-metre-long Jurassic replica skeleton’s popularity, the Herbert and the Natural History Museum have agreed to extend the free exhibit, which has contributed to a surge in visitor numbers at the attraction.

First arriving in London in 1905, Dippy embarked on a UK tour back in 2018, with each city the model visited reporting an influx of visitors.

Dippy the dinosaur arrives in Coventry for new residency blooloop.com

Known as the "Dippy effect", the popularity of the beloved dinosaur is estimated to have brought £2.1 million into Coventry’s visitor economy, according to research.

With around half a million people visiting the Herbert in the three years since its arrival, Marguerite Nugent, director of culture at CV Life, which manages the Herbert, said: "The Dippy effect has been clear to see.

"Not just in the volume of people who have come to see it, but in the knock-on effect it has with families enjoying a wide range of dinosaur-inspired events and activities at the Herbert and across the city.

Half a million visitors to date

"We’re looking forward to making the most of these extra 12 months and welcoming more visitors to see Dippy and the other unmissable exhibitions in store at the Herbert."

Alex Burch, director of public programmes at the Natural History Museum, said she hopes "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".

As well as Dippy, the Coventry museum offers a wide range of dinosaur-themed events, with its Doze Under Dippy overnight experience and Brick Dinos exhibition proving popular among families.

Images courtesy of the Natural History Museum / Herbert Art Gallery & Museum