Dippy Returns: Famous Dinosaur Skeleton Is Back At Natural History Museum From May

Laura Reynolds
By Laura Reynolds Last edited 32 months ago

Last Updated 24 February 2022

Dippy Returns: Famous Dinosaur Skeleton Is Back At Natural History Museum From May
Sherri-Louise Rowe, Project Manager for Dippy Returns, shows off a 3D printed replica of Dippy’s skull to excited visitors © Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London

Dippy the dinosaur returns to the Natural History Museum in May 2022, after a lengthy tour around the UK.

It was announced back in October 2021 that the diplodocus skeleton replica* would return to the South Kensington museum sometime in 2022. We've now had it confirmed that Dippy will be on view in a new installation opening on 27 May — and even better, it'll be free to visit our old chum.

Dippy Returns tells the story of Dippy's tour through the UK, visiting Dorchester, Birmingham, Belfast, Glasgow, Newcastle upon Tyne, Cardiff, Rochdale, and Norwich. It was seen by an impressive two million people in total, across all venues.

Welcome back Dippy. Photo: Natural History Museum

The centrepiece of Dippy Returns will of course be the 26m-long dino, back at the museum where it first went on display back in 1905 (though this time in the Waterhouse Gallery, where it did a stint in the 1970s). The exhibition will also look at nature throughout the UK and how different communities are connecting with it. Visitors’ reflections on meeting Dippy will be shared, along with how getting up close to the giant inspired them to re-connect with the nature on their doorstep.

The exhibition, though free, is ticketed and is likely to be very popular. We suggest registering to be notified when tickets are available so you don't miss out.

Dippy Returns is at Natural History Museum, South Kensington, from 27 May-December 2022. It'll be free but ticketed — tickets available soon.

*That's right folks — Dippy's not real.