Dinosaurs Gallery at the Natural History Museum

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Dinosaurs ran free on Planet Earth for over 160 million years. And if that's not enough to blow the mind of any kid, they lived around 230 million years ago through to around 65 million years ago. The name 'dinosaur' means 'frightening big lizard'. And finally, to whet your appetite, when dinosaur bones were first found hundreds of years ago by the Chinese, they thought they were the bones of giant dragons. If all that makes you want to see and know more, then head to the Natural History Museum's world famous Dinosaurs gallery .

Entry to the museum is free. The NHM itself is huge and colour coded into four colours. The Dinosaurs gallery is in the blue zone.

As you enter the Dinosaur exhibition, you embark on a journey through millions of years of evolution, of immense creatures, of incredible discoveries and tantalising myths. This really is an adventure for young minds wanting to explore a lost world.



The roaring Tyrannosaurus Rex is a star attraction. There was a big queue to get to see this moving, roaring model of one of the largest carnivores ever to have walked the planet. When we were there, the crowd was about 8 people deep – all taking photos and videos. Visitors can also see the first fossil ever found from a T-Rex.

Dippy the Dinosaur, the Diplodocus skeleton, has long been one of the Natural History Museum's most famous residents. Unfortunately for Natural History Museum goers, Dippy is currently on a tour of the UK. Stepping in to Dippy's shoes by taking centre stage in Hintze Hall is the 83 foot long real skeleton of a blue whale . The whale is certainly worth a look – but for now, back to the dinosaurs.



There's a display of Maiasaura eggs that draws enchanted onlookers. Layer upon layer of nests were discovered in Montana, helping to shed light on questions about how dinosaurs reproduced. This finding suggested that year after year these herds would return to the same nesting sights, like some birds do.

More of the many attractions include an Iguanodon tooth and the skull of a plant-eating Triceratops. There are interactive stations for kids to learn, guess the answer to questions and explore this Jurassic world.



Towards the end of the exhibition, there is, of course, a display that outlines the theories surrounding how dinosaurs became extinct 65 million years ago. Was it a devastating volcanic eruption? Perhaps a massive meteor strike? Did aliens land and take them off to another galaxy? It's one to think on as you and the kids stare in awe at these incredible creatures.

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