Peterborough Cathedral dinosaur exhibition postponed

T. rex: The Killer Question, the Natural History Museum’s touring exhibition was due to be shown at the cathedral in July and August this year - but it will now come to the city in the summer next year.

The exhibition will now be at the Cathedral from Monday July 19 to Monday August 30 2021, coinciding with the school summer holidays, just as it would have done this year.

The decision to delay the exhibition was made in the light of concern that the current COVID-19 quarantine conditions might be lifted gradually and with a degree of caution in the coming months, in order to avoid a ‘second spike’ in the number of cases as people start to socialise and attend events.

Tickets for the exhibition went on sale at the end of February, and already over 1000 have been sold. The total number of visitors was expected to match the 35,000 people who came to see Luke Jerram’s Gaia artwork at the Cathedral in summer 2019.

The exhibition includes a 12-meter-long static model of a T. rex as well as a life-size T. rex skeleton and nine animatronic dinosaur models. It will be displayed in the early 16th century ‘New Building’ at the east end of the Cathedral.

The Very Revd Chris Dalliston, Dean of Peterborough, said: “Whilst we are obviously disappointed that we are not able to show this this world-class exhibition here in 2020, we are delighted that we have been able to work with the Natural History Museum to secure the same dates in 2021.

“The health and safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff come first and we very much want to present the exhibition at a time when people can be more relaxed and confident about public gatherings, so that they can have the best possible experience.

“We are enormously grateful to our sponsors Anglian Compressors & Equipment Ltd, Henson Crisp Ltd Independent Financial Advisers, Speed Agency and Revamp Ltd, who have confirmed their continued commitment to helping us bring this exciting exhibition to Peterborough. 2021 may seem a long way off, but the dinosaurs are still coming and we’re looking forward to it!”

The Cathedral is getting in touch directly with anyone who has booked tickets for the exhibition. Bookings will automatically be transferred to the equivalent date in 2021, thus protecting customers from any potential price increase. Alternatively they can request a refund or, if they are cancelling their booking, consider donating their ticket money to the Cathedral to help to offset the significant fall in income it has suffered as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

For more information about the exhibition, or to enquire about how you might get involved in sponsoring a dinosaur or becoming an exhibition volunteer, please email [email protected] or visit www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/trex.aspx.