Create a list of articles to read later. You will be able to access your list from any article in Discover.
You don't have any saved articles.
New temporary exhibition at Tring British Dinosaurs: from fossils to feathers
Go on an adventure around Britain and discover why it is the birthplace of dinosaur studies.
A new free exhibition at the Natural History Museum at Tring will explore the dinosaurs of the British Isles, encouraging children to learn about the ancient reptiles that once roamed on their doorstep. Come face-to-face with awe-inspiring exhibits such as the cast of a Baryonyx walkeri skull and explore the Museum galleries to visit its modern-day descendants.
Ever since Richard Owen, the founder of the Natural History Museum, gave dinosaurs their name Britain has been the home of dinosaur studies. British Dinosaurs will feature some of the most recent research into dinosaurs whilst displaying some of the most interesting British finds.
With 15 specimens representing eight species on display, including a complete Hypsilophodon, you will discover the diversity of the dinosaurs that called Britain their home. Children will be able to traverse the British Isles, through a giant map displayed on the floor of the exhibition to discover if they had a prehistoric neighbour!
Find out how you measure up against one of the first dinosaurs discovered, the Iguanodon, by comparing your height to a specially installed femur and tibia. Then compare your teeth against the real teeth of a Megalosaurus bucklandii found in Oxfordshire.
Once you have explored the exhibition, you can continue your dinosaur adventure in the Museum galleries. Among the wild wonders on display you will find the modern dinosaurs: birds. Spot the differences between the feathers of flying and non-flying birds, find the iguana skeleton and compare its teeth to those of the Iguanodon and touch real reptile skin to see how it might have felt to stroke a dinosaur!
The Natural History Museum at Tring will also be holding special dinosaur-themed events throughout the exhibition run, so keep your eyes peeled and check the website for activities. Aimed at families and children of all ages, this exhibition will show you just how wild Britain was and provide a ‘roarsome’ time for all the family to enjoy!
Ends
Notes for editors
Images: Available on request. Please credit: © The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London.
Dinosaur themed events at Tring:
Dinosaurs from the UK: The Original Terrible Lizards
Join a Museum palaeontologist to explore the dinosaurs that roamed the UK. Spectacular discoveries of dinosaurs have been made from all over the world, but it's not well known that the study of these amazing animals began in earnest in the UK. In this talk, Museum palaeontologist Paul Barrett will introduce you to some familiar – and more surprising – dinosaurs that used to roam what are now the British Isles.
19.00-20.00, 2 May
£4.50, advance booking required
Discover what Britain was like for dinosaurs and create your own mini world. Trees, volcanoes, swamps - find out what Britain was like millions of years ago. Get creative and make your diorama for mini dinosaurs.
28 and 29 May, see website for times
Further information
The Natural History Museum at Tring in Hertfordshire opened in the late 1800s to house the collections of Lionel Walter, second Lord Rothschild, and offers some outstanding examples of nineteenth-century taxidermy. The Museum was bequeathed to the nation and became part of the Natural History Museum in 1938. The public galleries were modernised but the fascinating character of the Museum has been retained.
Around 140,000 visitors a year enjoy a glimpse into the fascinating world of a Victorian collector, where they can see a huge variety of wild, weird and wonderful specimens from across the animal kingdom – from armadillos to zebras.
The site at Tring also houses the stunning Rothschild Library and the Natural History Museum’s ornithological collection, which has been cased there since the early 1970s. Access to the Rothschild Library and ornithological collection is limited and by appointment only.
The Natural History Museum exists to inspire a love of the natural world and unlock answers to the big issues facing humanity and the planet. It is a world-leading science research centre, and through its unique collection and unrivalled expertise it is tackling issues such as food security, eradicating diseases and managing resource scarcity. The Natural History Museum is the most visited natural history museum in Europe and the top science attraction in the UK; we welcome around five million visitors each year and our website receives over 850,000 unique visitors a month. People come from around the world to enjoy our galleries and events and engage both in-person and online with our science and educational activities through innovative programmes and citizen science projects.