If you’ve read those words from Bumpus Jumpus Dinosaurumpus!—the children’s book by Tony Mitton and Guy Parker-Rees—as many times as I have, then this post is for you: beginning this Saturday the usually tranquil Osterley Park will be invaded by 30 life-size dinosaurs.
Diplodocus heads will pop out from the treetops, triceratops will walk with their young through the bushes while pterosaurs screech overhead. Visitors are being warned not to get in spitting distance of the Pachycephalosaurus and to keep their wits about them as the most famous dinosaur of all—the Tyrannosaurus rex—hauls his 18-metre frame through the park. Younger dinosaur enthusiasts will also get the chance to help excavate a T. rex skeleton that lies waiting to be discovered and be invited to learn more about the creatures that roamed the earth millions of years ago.
The Jurassic Kingdom has been recreated by the team behind the Magic Lantern Festival—the sell-out event that was held to celebrate Chinese New Year at Chiswick House in February. The director, David Lee, says it’s the first outdoor animatronic display of its kind created with families in mind: “We’ve seen through our work there’s a huge demand for family-friendly events in the UK and we’re certain adults will enjoy this experience as much as their children.”
Held in the gardens of Osterley Park, the event runs through the Easter holidays, from the 1st to the 17th of April, and will then go on tour across the country. It’s open from 10am to 6pm each day, various street-food vendors will be installed in the gardens as well, and once inside you can stay as long as you dare!
For more information and to book tickets, go to jurassickingdom.uk/london. There’s additional information about accessibility and parking on the National Trust website (and Trust members get a 20 percent discount to the event).
