Dippy on Tour is set to welcome visitors in Rochdale once again when it reopens to the public at the start of next month.
It’s been quite some time since Dippy last saw the people of Manchester.
It’s now been confirmed though that the Dippy on Tour exhibition – featuring the world-famous dinosaur cast from the Natural History Museum – is back at Number One Riverside and Touchstones Rochdale on Monday 7th September.
The Dippy on Tour: A Natural History Adventure opened in Rochdale as the only North West stop on its national tour back in February this year and it proved a star attraction with almost 115,000 visitors coming to see the dinosaur cast, before lockdown was put in place.
Dippy On Tour was originally supposed to close in Rochdale on 28th June, but due to the months that visits were unfortunately halted amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Dippy’s stay has now been extended until 12th December 2020 to allow for as many people as possible to visit safely before moving to the next location.
ADVERTISEMENT
The exhibition will then travel Norwich for its final stop, before returning back home to London.
Dippy on Tour, Rochdale Council and Visit Rochdale have confirmed that a number of additional measures have been put in place at both venues in order to keep visitors safe.
ADVERTISEMENT
Cleaning will be significantly increased, numbers will be restricted to allow people to maintain a safe distance inside, hand sanitisers will be available throughout the venues, and ‘hands-on’ parts of the exhibitions, including the sensory room and the dino discovery lab, have been removed.
Visitors can drop in and see Dippy at Number One Riverside, but the Dippy exhibition at Touchstones will need to be booked in advance.
— Rochdale Borough Council (@RochdaleCouncil) August 27, 2020
Councillor Janet Emsley – Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Community and Culture at Rochdale Borough Council – said: “We’re delighted to be able to welcome visitors once again and connect audiences across the region with this incredible piece of natural history.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We’ve made some changes to the exhibition to keep everybody safe, and both Number One Riverside and Touchstones Rochdale have been awarded the ‘We’re Good to Go’ COVID-19 industry standard and consumer mark by Visit Britain.
“The fact that the Dippy experience will be with us until December also gives people plenty to time to see him, so we can support social distancing and keep everybody safe – people absolutely don’t need to come at once.
“To help keep people safe, we’re also asking visitors to only attend with members of their own household, as per government guidelines currently covering most of Greater Manchester, and for visitors to follow government guidance on face coverings.”
Opening Hours – Dippy at Number One Riverside from 7th September:
Monday to Friday – 9am to 5pm
Saturdays – 9.30am to 5pm
Opening Hours – Dippy Exhibition at Touchstones Rochdale from 7th September:
ADVERTISEMENT
Monday to Saturday – 9.30am to 4.30pm
Freya Stannard – Head of National Programmes at The Natural History Museum – added: “We are thrilled that Dippy on Tour is now able to welcome back visitors [and] we have worked with Rochdale Borough Council to implement new measures and extend the exhibition to allow plenty of time for people to visit when they feel confident in doing so.
“We look forward to Dippy doing what he does best once again, inspiring people and encouraging a love for the natural world that we hope people will carry with them long after their visit.”
You can find more information and book in advance for the Dippy on Tour: A Natural History Adventure via the Visit Rochdale website here.
What's On
Be part of the biggest Great Manchester Run ever
Danny Jones
Runners and regular Mancs alike, start lacing up your trainers and sorting safety pins early, because the Great Manchester Run is back for 2026, and you can be part of it.
With sign-ups flying and bibs selling out fast, we really recommend getting a move on and booking your place now to make sure you’re part of what is, without fail, not just one of the most exciting dates on the local sporting calendar, but always a great day for the city in general.
Returning for its 23rd edition and fourth year being backed by principal sponsors, AJ Bell, we can assure it’ll be as well-attended as ever.
In fact, judging by the numbers already and the increasing crowds of spectators every year, this is looking on course to be the biggest Great Manchester Run to date.
The only question is, are you going to help make it the BEST yet by joining the thousands of others already finding the perfect spot to hang their shiny new medal?
Half-marathon, 10k, junior and mini races
As ever, the Great MCR Run isn’t just limited to one event: there are multiple distances, routes and age groups that can race the route in and around the city centre.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day
So, whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day, there really is fun for all ages.
In all seriousness, even watching the massive metropolitan event stood next to the roads with homemade signs promises plenty of atmosphere, but with fancy dress galore, various different activations in the middle of the city, there’s not a chance you’ll get bored.
Even in the years we’ve missed out on running it ourselves (it sold well in advance last year, for instance), the pure buzz we got from joining countless other Mancs cheering from the pavement is enough to keep us coming back time and time again.
All that being said, if you’re looking to sort the perfect Christmas present for a runner, or simply need more reason to give yourself the kick up the backside you’ve been waiting for and just put your name down, this is it.
Besides the full annual marathon in April, running events simply don’t get bigger in this region than this one, so don’t miss out.
Sign up for the 2026 Great Manchester Run right HERE.
Featured Images — Great Run Company/AJ Bell (supplied)
What's On
New Year’s Eve fireworks and special Albert Square party confirmed for Manchester city centre
Danny Jones
Manchester City Council have confirmed that a special firework and lights display will be held right in the centre of town this New Year’s Eve.
Better still, the festivities will be continuing over on Albert Square, as the recently restored ancestral home of the Manchester Christmas Markets will be hosting a celebration of its own.
Yes, for the first time ever, we’re being given the choice of two different NYE events at two of the most stunning central points in the city – the other being the Central Library.
Hosted by former presenter at The Manc, Joe McGrath, as well as DJ Jimmy the Gent, there’ll be tunes and plenty of family-friendly fun from St Peter’s Square right up until the big countdown, when the stunning light display will go off and ring in the New Year.
Credit: Manchester City Council (supplied)
The all-ages, alcohol-free event kicks off at 10pm with entry into the square through security-controlled entry points around the square and bag searches in operation.
Of course, hot drinks and food will be available as the MCR Christmas Markets proper wrap up for 2025, and the fireworks and light displays themselves will be launching right off the top of the library roof.
It’s going to be fantastic.
As for over on the other side of the Town Hall, the Markets will still be in full swing, with bratwurst, beers and cheer aplenty, and so will the truly massive Ferris Wheel – the biggest mobile wheel in the country, in case you hadn’t heard.
That’s right: in case you hadn’t put two and together quite yet, if you’re lucky enough and you don’t mind heights, you might just get to watch the NYE 2025 fireworks going off all over Greater Manchester from the top of the wheel. How magical would that be?
Honestly, it’s been so great seeing Albert Square looking back to its stunning and buzzing best.
Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas and New Year spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said of the plans: “We all know how much Mancunians of all ages love to get together and party, which is why we’re thrilled this year to give them not one but two celebrations to take their pick of this New Year’s Eve.
“Whether you’re a Ferris Wheel fanatic with a head for heights, or a music-loving feet-on-the-ground firework fan, it promises to be a brilliant night out. So get yourselves ready to have some fun and dance the night away – wrap up warm, grab your family and your friends and come down and join us!”
Promising to work closely with local councillors and therefore businesses and residents in turn, they’re promising to keep any inconveniences and nuisances to a minimum; they want everyone to be able to enjoy the night as much as possible.
You can find out more information, including timings, accessibility, road closures and parking suspensions in the full Council statement right HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
27th August 2020 
