It wasn’t until I drove past the Town Hall that I even realised Dippy the Dinosaur was even in Rochdale. We had come up north for a family wedding and decided last minute that we needed to visit before coming home. Dippy was on tour and had already been to 6 out of 8 places before returning back to the Natural History Museum.
I had explained to the boys that we were going to see Dippy. At first they had no idea who he was, it wasn’t until I said it was a life-size replica of a real dinosaur that they became excited. Rochdale have a whole host of different Dippy events happening. However, due to time restraints we decided to just visit the cast of the skeleton.
Dippy The Dinosaur
Dippy the Dinosaur is a 21m long plaster of cast of a Diplodocus Carnegii, Skelton. He is being shown in Number One Riverside, Rochdale. The life-size cast is on display in the centre and there are ample photo opportunities! However it can get really busy. As well as being able to see the cast there is also the opportunity to hold the replica of the skull. All 3 boys commented on how heavy it was, and it was huge! It was definitely the highlight of the visit for them.
As well as being able to see Dippy there were also other activities to do. A large table with a variety of different dinosaur colour in sheets, as well as a pile of plain paper on the table to draw your own. Inside a small room just off from the main enclosure are more activities. There were light boxes with x-rays of different animals, magnifying glasses and different slides, as well as crayon rubbing.
Visitor Shop
Dippy has his own shop to buy gifts. Something we nearly managed to leave without visiting, we had a look and settled on small teddies. We managed to find some for £6 each so really rather affordable too.
Other Dippy related activities
Dippy on Tour – Between Number One Riverside and Touchstones there is a self-guided short walk. Learn about the history of Rochdale and find virtual Dippy bones along the way. Answer quick questions to learn facts about the exhibitions. Collect 10 Dippy bones to complete your own Dippy the Dinosaur skeleton.
Touchstones – Approx 0.4 miles away from Number One Riverside is Touchstones. A Hands-on exhibition with key features to empower people to take steps and make small changes. The exhibition will focus on the natural history of Rochdale and how the landscape has changed over time. One of the main stars of the exhibition will be a fossilised scorpion found in Rochdale in the early 20th century. The Scorpion dates 70 million years before dinosaurs roamed the earth.
There is also Dino Gallery where you can learn interesting facts like where they lived. There is also the chance to see fossilised bones.
What you need to know
Times – Dippy is in Rochdale until 28th June 2020 then will be moved to Norwich Cathedral in October 2020.
Cost – It is completely free!
Parking – There is no parking at Number One Riverside other than blue badge spaces.
Opening times – Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, Sat and Sun 9.30-5pm, Bank Holidays 10am-4pm.
Address – Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU
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