Dippy the diplodocus is one step closer to its Coventry residence as tickets to see the world-famous dinosaur have been made available.

Ahead of welcoming visitors to the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, the 292-bone model of a diplodocus skeleton was carefully deconstructed at the end of the Natural History Museum’s installation Dippy Returns, ready for its 100-mile journey to Coventry.

The iconic 26-metres long, 4.17 metres high cast has been loaned by the museum and will feature in the Herbert’s covered front court from Monday 20 February as part of the free installation Dippy in Coventry: The Nation’s Favourite Dinosaur.

Visitors to the exhibition can learn more about Dippy, the Jurassic period and how the natural world we inhabit has changed over time, with talks and activities for all the family to enjoy.

Dippy’s three year stay in Coventry comes after a 110-year tenure at the Natural History Museum, beginning in 1905 and more recently an eight-city tour across the UK, where Dippy spent time in Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Dorchester, Glasgow, Newcastle upon Tyne, Norwich and Rochdale.

The tour reportedly saw a “Dippy effect” on each venue and region, with a record-breaking two million visitors and just under £36m of economic benefit across all the eight cities.

The model’s most recent return to the Natural History Museum attracted over one million people and tickets for Dippy’s visit to Coventry is expected to reach similar demand, with the dino-star continuing to engage people of all ages with nature and our changing world.

Tickets are free and are now available at dippyincoventry.co.uk. With tickets expected to be extremely popular, the Herbert will extend its opening hours during the February half term. These extended hours include staying open until 6pm on Tuesday 21, Wednesday 22, Friday 24 and Saturday 25 February and 9pm on Thursday 23 February.