Dinosaurs will be at the heart of Coventry’s visitor offer this summer!

Exhibit at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum (credit: Reel Master Production)
Exhibit at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum (credit: Reel Master Production)

Dinosaurs will be at the heart of Coventry’s visitor offer this summer as families seek free and budget-friendly activities to give children six weeks to remember, despite cost-of-living challenges.

Coventrians are being encouraged to head out this summer and enjoy a range of free and budget-friendly activities that can help families to have a summer to remember, despite cost-of-living challenges.

Families across the city will be on the lookout for activities and attractions to keep their children happy, engaged and ensure a memorable summer.

Visit Coventry, the organisation responsible for supporting tourism in the city, has put together a list of events, places to visit and outdoor activities for families to enjoy.

In the heart of the city centre, the West Orchards Shopping Centre Dino Trail will be running throughout the summer. Youngsters are invited get a free Dino Trail passport and hunt down dinosaurs throughout the shopping centre, with the chance to win a £100 prize.

West Orchards will also be hosting free activities every Wednesday throughout July and August, including dinosaur craft activities and face painting.

Dinosaurs are at the heart of the city’s offer this summer, and that will continue at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum on 5 August with the free Dippy and Friends live experience.

The nation’s favourite dinosaur has taken up residence in Coventry and the fun, educational event will give visitors the chance to meet Dippy’s friends and learn more about the pre-historic creatures.

Families can also head out to Warwick Arts Centre and enjoy the University of Warwick’s Sculpture Park, which features two giant steel dinosaurs amongst a range of other sculptures.

Warwick Arts Centre will also be hosting a range of free family fun activities throughout the summer for children to enjoy. The family zone will also be open at Coventry Transport Museum, with paper crafts that can help children to build their science, technology, engineering and maths skills.

This summer there is a focus across the city in encouraging children to get outside, enjoy the city’s green spaces and get some fresh air – with opportunities to embrace the city’s history too.

One highlight is the newly launched series of Outdoor Guide Walking Trails, which are free and provide an avenue to explore Coventry and discover its history and culture. The routes include a historic Coventry tour, a Coventry canal walk and the George Eliot Trail in nearby Nuneaton.

Coventry’s parks, such as Coombe Abbey Park and War Memorial Park, will also be open throughout the summer – with activities ranging from outdoor gym equipment and a mini golf course at War Memorial, to a treetop adventure course at Coombe.

Paul Jones, Managing Director of Visit Coventry, said: “Dippy has been a huge hit since coming to Coventry earlier this year, so it makes sense, this summer, that there is a range of activities on offer that will allow children to learn even more about dinosaurs.

“With rising prices, unstable interest rates, and other pressures, it’s more important now than ever before that the tourism and events industry in Coventry offers budget-friendly activities for families.

“We all know how impactful the summer break can be for a young person, it’s a chance to inspire, make memories for life and help children to continue to develop.

“By offering free and budget-friendly activities, it ensures that everyone can give their children those memorable experiences and a fantastic summer school break.”

To find out more about what’s on in Coventry this summer visit www.visitcoventry.co.uk