Full-scale dinosaur sculptures will be displayed in the grounds of the palace as part of Dinosaurs Are Forever, running from 11th August to 1st November 2026.
Five reimagined Megalosaurus skeletons, created by artist Jay Jay Burridge, will be located in the grounds of the historic UNESCO World Heritage Site in Oxfordshire, said to be the birthplace of dinosaurs.
Blenheim Palace has partnered with Future Fossils to present Dinosaurs Are Forever which celebrates the local discovery of the first ever named dinosaur, Megalosaurus, with an outdoor display combining cutting edge technology and hand-crafted sculptures.
“Dinosaurs are Forever shines a light on the fascinating discovery of these prehistoric creatures right on our doorstep.”
Heather Carter, visitor attraction managing director at Blenheim Palace
The sculptures are designed to be fully articulated, crafted using the same tools, materials and processes found in high-performance motorsport, engineering and aerospace. The exhibition will bring together decades of artistic work centred around dinosaurs, storytelling and immersive art.
Blenheim’s pre-historic connection
Two centuries ago in the village of Stonesfield, just outside Blenheim Palace, the very first named dinosaur, Megalosaurus, was discovered. In 1824, Megalosaurus was grouped with Iguanodon and Hylaeosaurus and collectively named ‘dinosaurs’ as we know them today.
The fossil remains of Megalosaurus can be seen on display at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.
Heather Carter, visitor attraction managing director at Blenheim Palace, said: “We are so excited to bring our visitors a brand new experience this summer, and it’s a real first for Blenheim Palace.
“It’s a subject that appeals to all ages and interests, and not many people know about the first ever named dinosaur being discovered here. Dinosaurs are Forever shines a light on the fascinating discovery of these prehistoric creatures right on our doorstep.
“Jay Jay is massively talented; the scale and vibrancy of these sculptures are going to really stand out against the backdrop of Blenheim Palace, so this outdoor exhibition is one not to be missed.”
About the artist
Jay Jay Burridge is a British artist, designer, author and former BBC presenter. He first gained recognition for large-scale toy-inspired sculptures before being recruited by the BBC to write and present the acclaimed children’s art programme SMart.
Since leaving the show in 2003, his career has spanned art, fashion, design and publishing. Highlights include a collaboration with Jamie Oliver, a Beverly Hills solo exhibition with Lazarides Gallery, and his internationally published six-book adventure series The World of Supersaurs.
Dinosaurs are Forever is open from 11th August to 1st November. Access is included in group admission to Blenheim Palace, which is discounted for groups of 15+.
Blenheim Palace also provides free coach parking, free admission for GTOs and coach drivers and group catering options.
To make a group booking go to: blenheimpalace.com/visitus/travel-trade/groups. Find out more about the exhibition here.
