To mark the arrival of Dippy at The Dorset County Museum, Dorchester’s Brewery Square has mapped out the route with an interactive trail of Diplodocus footprints, to guide visitors to their final destination.
Launching on Saturday, February 10 at 3pm, the trail in Brewery Square will be officially opened by Paul Williams from BBC’s Natural History Unit, along with Jon Murden, director of The Dorset County Museum.
The life-size Diplodocus footprints will act as a guide for visitors who will make their way from Dorchester South Station, through Brewery Square, before reaching The Dorset County Museum, where Dippy will be residing until early May. Dippy is a 70-foot replica dinosaur, cast using original fossil bones discovered in the US in 1989. Dippy has lived at London’s Natural History Museum since 1905, and The Dorset County Museum in Dorchester is the first stop on his tour of the country.
Charlotte Spracklen, centre manager at Brewery Square, said: “Dippy joining us in Dorchester is such an exciting event, and one that Brewery Square was keen to be a part of. Each footprint we have created will be engaging, educational, and provide fun for all the family from the moment they get off the train. The footprint trail will remain at Brewery Square until Dippy departs in May.”
Jon Murden, director of The Dorset County Museum, said: “We are so excited to be welcoming Dippy on Tour to the South West and thrilled to be the first host venue on his National UK tour. This is the first time that anybody has had the chance to see Dippy outside of London and it appears that parents and grandparents in particular are making the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Jon added: “With the Jurassic Coast, the birthplace of paleontology just a few miles away I would encourage everyone to extend their visit and make it a day of memories that will last a lifetime.
“Tickets to visit Dippy are being booked up fast, so we are encouraging everyone who hasn’t done so already, to reserve their tickets soon to avoid missing out.”
The retail offering at Brewery Square includes Phase Eight, Joules, Avenue Interiors, and Thomas J William. Restaurants include – Zizzi, Carluccio’s, Wagamama and Morrish and Banham wine merchant and tasting room. Visit www.brewerysquare.com for more information.
