Press Releases

National Museum Cardiff has bid an emotional farewell to Dippy the Diplodocus, the Natural History Museum London’s famous dinosaur skeleton cast, who has been staying at the museum in Cardiff for the past three months. (19 October and 26 January.)

Dippy on Tour: A Natural History Adventure was brought to National Museum Cardiff and visitors across the UK by the Natural History Museum, London in partnership with the Garfield Weston Foundation, and supported by Dell EMC and Williams & Hill.

National Museum Cardiff received the generous support of Admiral and Great Western Railway in bringing Dippy to Wales. The support of all of our partners makes it possible for families to come together to experience the exhibition.

The museum welcomed an outstanding 213,740 visitors during the period, an increase of 42% on average when compared with the previous year.

David Anderson, Director General for Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, said:

“Hundreds of thousands of visitors from across Wales and further afield have enjoyed seeing Dippy in Cardiff and participated in the many Dippy events held at National Museum Cardiff

“It has been very encouraging to learn how the exhibition has inspired visitors of all ages to explore, discover and find out how they can get involved and protect the nature on their doorstep.

“We are sad to see Dippy go, he has looked spectacular in the museum’s grand hall but know he will delight many more as he travels further on his UK wide tour”.

Over 12,441 schoolchildren from 282 schools across the region have enjoyed facilitated trips to see Dippy at National Museum Cardiff. Alongside the Dippy exhibition, the museums’ youth forum created a complementary exhibition in one of the museum’s gallery spaces. Within this space, the young people used second hand clothes to create sculptures of dinosaurs and other extinct creatures as a commentary on the effect fast fashion and waste is having on our environment.

Over 1.5 million people have now seen Dippy on Tour: A Natural History Adventure across six venues.

Philippa Charles, Director of the Garfield Weston Foundation, said:

“Dippy’s mission to inspire people to explore the natural world around them and think about their role in protecting it is more important than ever. We are absolutely delighted that Dippy has been able to realise his mission so successfully at National Museum Cardiff, and know he will continue to be a hit at his next stop in Rochdale.”