The beloved Dippy the dinosaur exhibit is set to remain in Coventry for an additional year following an extraordinary surge in visitor numbers. Since its arrival three years ago, the iconic diplodocus skeleton has welcomed more than half-a-million people to the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, prompting museum authorities to extend its stay.
Extended Exhibition Period Announced
Originally scheduled to conclude its three-year residency, Dippy will now be on display until February 19, 2027. This decision comes after a mutual agreement between the Natural History Museum and the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, recognising the exhibit's significant appeal to both local residents and regional visitors.
Economic Impact and Visitor Experience
Between February 2023 and February 2025, Dippy's presence is estimated to have contributed approximately £2.1 million to Coventry's visitor economy, according to research conducted by Durnin Research. This substantial economic boost reflects the exhibit's drawing power and the subsequent expenditure by visitors within the city.
The Herbert has capitalised on this popularity by organising numerous dinosaur-themed events for families. These have included innovative experiences such as the Doze Under Dippy overnight stays and the Brick Dinos exhibition, which featured LEGO dinosaur sculptures created in collaboration with palaeontologists.
Enhanced Dinosaur Collection
In November 2025, the museum expanded its Discover Dinosaurs collection with notable additions. Visitors can now view a model Allosaurus head alongside a showcase of the Cruxicheiros newmanorum, a T. rex shaped dinosaur discovered just a few miles from Coventry. The exhibition also features fossils of Jurassic sea creatures that inhabited the Coventry and Warwickshire region between 200 and 145 million years ago.
The 'Dippy Effect' Phenomenon
Each location on Dippy's eight-city UK tour has reported experiencing the so-called 'Dippy effect', characterised by a marked increase in visitor numbers. The 26-metre-long Jurassic exhibit, consisting of 292 bones and standing 4.17 metres high, first arrived in London in 1905 and has inspired generations to connect with nature.
Marguerite Nugent of CV Life, which manages the Herbert, commented: "Dippy has been a huge hit for visitors of all ages over the last three years, and has helped cement the Herbert's reputation as a must-visit venue in the West Midlands. 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."
Accessibility and Location
The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum remains easily accessible for visitors from across the region. The journey from Birmingham city centre typically takes around 35 minutes by car via the M6, traffic permitting, or approximately 37 minutes by train.
Educational and Environmental Significance
Dr Alex Burch, Director of Public Programmes at the Natural History Museum in London, emphasised Dippy's educational value: "It's been fantastic to see the success of Dippy at the Herbert. We know that biodiversity is under threat and the planet is facing a crisis. Dippy has the ability to capture people's imagination. Through this extended stay we hope 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."
The extended exhibition period represents a significant opportunity for both educational engagement and continued economic benefit for the Coventry region, ensuring that this remarkable piece of natural history remains accessible to audiences throughout the West Midlands.
