Dippy the dinosaur’s visit to Norwich delayed

Dinosaur fans will be able to enjoy a summer of prehistoric fun at Norwich Cathedral next year due to the visit of the Natural History Museum’s Dippy the Diplodocus, which has now been moved back again, to later in 2021.

The iconic guest will take up residence in the Cathedral’s Nave, which is the eighth and final stop for the Dippy on Tour: A Natural History Adventure exhibition that aims to inspire people of all ages to engage more with nature and explore the natural world on their doorsteps.
 
Dippy had been due to go on display in Norwich Cathedral in Summer 2020 but his visit was rescheduled to January to March 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
 
With the continued uncertainty with regard to Covid-19, the decision has been taken to move Dippy’s Norwich dates for a second time.
 
Norwich Cathedral is now looking forward to welcoming Dippy in summer 2021 and the new dates for the exhibition will be announced in the coming months.
 
Dippy on Tour: A Natural History Adventure is being brought to Norwich Cathedral and visitors across the UK by the Natural History Museum in partnership with the Garfield Weston Foundation.
 
The Dean of Norwich, the Very Rev Jane Hedges, said: “We are incredibly excited to be hosting the Natural History Museum’s Dippy the dinosaur and by moving the dates to summer 2021 we hope this will ensure we can really make the most of Dippy’s visit here in Norwich.

"2020 has been a challenging year for everyone and, while we were looking forward to Dippy’s arrival in January 2021, the ongoing situation with Covid-19 has meant that the most sensible and the safest way forward is to move Dippy’s visit to later in the year. We are working closely with the Natural History Museum and hope to announce the new dates for Dippy’s visit to Norwich Cathedral as soon as possible.”
 
For Dippy’s summer 2021 visit, safety is the number one priority.
 
The Dean of Norwich said: “Health and safety continues to be the single most important factor in our planning for everything at Norwich Cathedral. In line with government guidance, the Cathedral is currently open for individual prayer and reflection, and we look forward to being open again to general visitors when it is appropriate to do so. Great care is being taken by the whole Cathedral team to keep people as safe as possible.

"We have been awarded Visit Britain’s We’re Good to Go industry standard and consumer mark as recognition that the Cathedral is following Government and public health guidance with regard to Covid-19 and has taken all the necessary steps to help ensure people’s safety. More details about all the safety measures in place can be found on the Cathedral website.”
 
Dippy is currently at Rochdale’s Number One Riverside and has previously visited Dorset County Museum, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Ulster Museum, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow, Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle upon Tyne and National Museum Cardiff.
 
The famous 26-metre long (85ft) dinosaur cast took centre stage in the Natural History Museum’s Hinzte Hall (pictured above) for many years before embarking on the current UK tour.
 
For more details about Dippy on Tour: A Natural History Adventure, visit nhm.ac.uk/dippyontour