A brand-new dinosaur exhibition has arrived in Hitchin, promising a prehistoric adventure for families, fossil fans and curious kids alike.

North Herts Museum's latest exhibition, 'Dinosaurium: Reimagined Creatures', is now open and will run until 28 June 2026, bringing the world of dinosaurs to life while exploring how science and imagination have shaped what we think dinosaurs looked like.

The family-friendly exhibition takes visitors on a journey through 200 years of dinosaur discoveries, showing how our understanding of these prehistoric creatures has changed dramatically over time. One of the highlights is the story of the Iguanodon, first discovered in Sussex in 1822 and originally imagined as a squat, lizard-like reptile with a spike on its nose. Scientists now know it was a huge animal that walked horizontally and had a distinctive thumb spike.

The exhibition also reveals a surprising link between dinosaurs and animals we still see today — including the robin in your garden, which scientists say descended from small, meat-eating dinosaurs related to the Tyrannosaurus rex. While most dinosaurs died out around 65 million years ago, smaller feathered dinosaurs survived and eventually evolved into modern birds.

As well as fossils and displays, the exhibition includes hands-on activities and interactive elements designed especially for children, making it an ideal day out during the Easter holidays and beyond.

Councillor Tamsin Thomas, North Herts Council's Executive Member for Enterprise, said the exhibition offers "a fascinating look at how these incredible animals have captured our collective imagination for centuries" and described it as "a fantastic, free experience that combines history, science, and pop culture."

North Herts Museum is located on Brand Street in Hitchin and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10.30am to 4.30pm, and Sundays from 11am to 3pm. Entry is free, and the museum café serves drinks, snacks and light meals.

For families looking for something different to do in Hitchin this spring, this prehistoric exhibition could be well worth a visit.

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