Dinosaur Parks in the UK: Top Places to Visit
My three year old son is dinosaur-mad. He could probably give a palaeontologist a good run for their money when it comes to dinosaur facts. As such, when we are planning days out, we have a particular interest in dinosaur parks in the UK. I’ve compiled a list below of the best dinosaur-themed days out in the UK. Often the dinosaur element is just a small part of a wider experience, whereas other places are 100% dinosaur focused. Either way, you’re sure to have a roarsome time at the below attractions!
Covid-19: please check with the venue’s websites about up-to-date guidelines. You often have to book in advance before visiting so please check before setting off
England
National History Museum, London
What’s there for dinosaur fans?
There are so many different dinosaur things to see here – they even have a dinosaur trail that you can follow to ensure you don’t miss anything worth seeing. One of the main attractions is that the museum hosts part of the first Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton ever discovered.
Where is it? Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD
Cost: free entry
Find out more: click here
Crystal Palace Park, London
What’s there for dinosaur fans?
There are more than 30 life-size sculptures in Crystal Palace Park, which includes four dinosaurs and various other prehistoric creatures. The dinosaur sculptures date from the Victorian era.
Where is it? Thicket Rd, London SE19 2GA
Cost: free entry
Find out more: click here
West Midlands Safari Park, Bewdley
What’s there for dinosaur fans?
There is a ‘Land of the Living Dinosaurs’ section of the park featuring lots of animatronic life-size dinosaurs, as well as a dino dig for little ones to discover fossils. I found a great blog post about a day out at the West Midlands Safari Park where you can learn more about what there is to see and do.
Where is it? Spring Grove, Bewdley, Worcestershire, DY12 1LF
Cost: £25 per adult, £20 per child (3-15 years)
Find out more: click here
Returning to the West Midlands Safari Park
Dinosaur Isle, Isle of Wight
What’s there for dinosaur fans?
Dinosaur Isle is Britain’s first purpose-built dinosaur attraction. There are life-sized dinosaur models amongst a recreated landscape. There’s even a robotic dinosaur that visitors can control.
Where is it? Culver Parade, Sandown, Isle of Wight, PO36 8QA
Cost: £17.50 for a family of two adults and two children
Find out more: click here
Gullivers Dinosaur and Farm Park, Milton Keynes
What’s there for dinosaur fans?
There are more than 30 realistic animatronic dinosaurs to see here – try to spot them all – as well as a Jurassic River Ride and other dinosaur-themed rides.
Where is it? Livingstone Drive, Newlands, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DT
Cost: £8.50 per adult and child (kids under 90cm get in free)
Find out more: click here
Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure, Norwich
What’s there for dinosaur fans?
Set over 85 acres, there are animatronic dinosaurs set amongst natural settings and a fossil dig for little ones to take part in. There are also rides, a walking trail, a go kart circuit, a high ropes course as well as a huge indoor play area – all dinosaur-themed. Definitely one of the best dinosaur parks in the UK!
Where is it? Lenwade, Norfolk, NR9 5JW
Cost: £14 per adult and child (kids under 90cm get in free)
Find out more: click here
Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park, Ilfracombe
What’s there for dinosaur fans?
The star dinosaur attraction is a life sized model of a Tyrannosaurus rex, nestled among 19 other animatronic and static dinosaurs. There is also a dinosaur museum which houses fossils amongst other things.
Where is it?
Cost: £15.49 per adult, £14.40 per child
Find out more: click here
The Dinosaur Museum, Dorchester
What’s there for dinosaur fans?
Set in a converted Victorian schoolhouse, here you can walk amongst life-sized models of dinosaurs and experience many hands-on interactive displays. You an dig for fossils in the excavation pit and try to solve dinosaur puzzles. There’s also a dinosaur-themed gift shop to visit.
Where is it? Icen Way, Dorchester DT1 1EW
Cost: £8.99 per adult, £6.99 per child
Find out more: click here
Paradise Wildlife Park, Hertfordshire
What’s there for dinosaur fans?
World of Dinosaurs at Paradise features 30 moving, snapping, roaring animatronic dinosaur models. There’s a fossil dig area too as well as a dinosaur train ride (the Rex Express).
Where is it? White Stubbs Ln, Broxbourne EN10 7QA
Cost: £22 per adult, £20 per child
Find out more: click here
Scotland
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
What’s there for dinosaur fans?
The star of the show here is a life-sized skeleton cast of a Tyrannosaurus rex which towers over the Animal World room.
Where is it? Chambers St, Edinburgh EH1 1JF
Cost: Free
Find out more: click here
Dino Park, Dumfries
What’s there for dinosaur fans?
There are realistic models of dinosaurs hiding amongst the greenery as you wander around the park as well as am underground dino mine to explore. Don’t miss the bouncy dinosaur and the fossil dig. There’s also a dinosaur-themed soft play.
Where is it? Hetland Garden Centre, Carrutherstown, Dumfries DG1 4JX
Cost: £19 for a family ticket (2 adults + 2 children)
Find out more: click here
Blairdrummond Safari Park, Stirling
What’s there for dinosaur fans?
Behind huge Jurassic Park-style gates lies a pre-historic forest which is home to over 20 animatronic life-size dinosaurs. There’s also a small dinosaur gift shop by the dinosaur attraction.
Where is it? Blair Drummond, Stirling FK9 4UR
Cost: £16.50 per adult, £13.50 per child
Find out more: click here
Landmark, Aviemore
What’s there for dinosaur fans?
Head through the Jurassic Park-style gates into the Dinosaur Kingdom, where you will find 22 moving animatronic life-sized dinosaurs. There’s also a fossil dig to take part in.
Where is it?
Cost: £23 per adult, £21 per child
Find out more: click here
Wales
Dan-yr-Ogg, The National Showcaves Centre for Wales
What’s there for dinosaur fans?
Surrounding these caves is one of the world’s largest collections of life-sized dinosaur models – over 220 in fact! There is also a dinosaur-themed gift shop.
Where is it? Abercraf, Swansea SA9 1GJ
Cost: £15.50 per adult, £12.50 per child
Find out more: click here
The Dinosaur Park, Tenby
What’s there for dinosaur fans?
One of the top dinosaur parks in the UK, here you will find a mile-long dinosaur trail – spot over 30 life-sized dinosaurs amongst the swamps and boardwalks. Take part in digging for fossils. There’s even an animatronic dinosaur rock band there to entertain you!
Where is it? Great Wedlock, Gumfreston, Tenby SA70 8RB
Cost: £12.95 per adult, £11.50 per child
Find out more: click here
Northern Ireland
The Ulster Museum, Belfast
What’s there for dinosaur fans?
There are many fossilised dinosaur remains on display but the star of the show is the Edmontosaurus skeleton.
Where is it? Botanic Gardens, Belfast BT9 5AB
Cost: Free
Find out more: click here
Are there any other Dinosaur Parks in the UK that I have missed off my list? Please comment below to let me know.
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