A special visitor to Norwich Cathedral

Only three weeks to go before visitors can finally see the Natural History Museum’s Dippy the Diplodocus on tour when it opens in Norwich Cathedral – the last stop on its nationwide tour.

Are you ready to #DiscoverCathedrals this summer? Norwich Cathedral gets ready to host Dippy on Tour: Are You Ready?

Dippy on Tour: A Natural History Adventure will be installed in the nave of Norwich Cathedral from July 13 until October 30 – the only cathedral to host this iconic dinosaur cast.

Norwich Cathedral hopes that this much-anticipated exhibition – postponed due to the pandemic – will inspire people of all ages to engage with nature and explore the natural world on their doorsteps and has just unveiled a packed programme of events for visitors of all ages to engage with these issues.

Dippy on Tour at Norwich Cathedral

Local artist, Rebecca Osborne will be drawing upon some of these themes in a special series of illustrated panels created especially for the tour, there will be a display of green hearts created by local Women’s Institute members to encourage everyone to think about the Earth’s future and help combat climate change, and visitors will be encouraged to make their own individual pledge to help protect the planet before they leave the Dippy on Tour exhibition.

Dippy at Norwich Cathedral – event details here.

There is a wide range of family friendly activities, trails, and educational opportunities planned for Dippy’s visit including a regular Saturday morning story time for children under his tail.

Norwich Cathedral also hosts Talkative Tuesdays, a weekly series of lectures and discussions where scientists and theologians explore issues of faith and science.

The Cathedral has just launched a new Dippy microsite within its own website for people to keep up to date with everything from opening times and other practical information about the exhibition, events plus dinosaur activities for people to enjoy at home.

The Dean of Norwich, the Very Revd Jane Hedges said:

“We are incredibly honoured to be the final stop on Dippy’s national tour and also the only cathedral, and our team is working closely with the Natural History Museum to ensure that we really make the most of this amazing opportunity for Norwich, Norfolk and the wider region.

“As with the helter-skelter, there will inevitably be people who’ll say: ‘Why have you got a dinosaur in a cathedral?.

“There’s often conflict between people with scientific knowledge and people that believe in God. Actually, the two things enhance one another.

“Dippy’s visit presents a really good opportunity for us to engage with science and think about the environment and to wonder why did dinosaurs become extinct and what can that teach us?

“Might we become extinct if we carry on doing what we’re doing to our planet,” she added.

Norwich Cathedral has received the bronze Eco Church Award and the Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher, leads the Church of England’s Environment Programme.

With the continued uncertainty around Covid-19, Norwich Cathedral and the Natural History Museum are working together closely to ensure that visitors will be able to enjoy the exhibition safely when it opens in July.

Please be assured all our Church of England cathedrals have achieved the Visit Britain’s industry standard and consumer charter mark We’re Good to Go which means visitors can be confident that cathedrals are taking all the necessary steps to help ensure people’s safety in line with latest Government and Public Health guidance.

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, and supported by Dell EMC and Williams & Hill. Barratt and Cooke is the regional sponsor for the exhibition.