A new free exhibition at Mansfield Museum, Dinosaurs: Weird and Wonderful from 27th July to 5th October will feature some of the most unusual, curious, and bizarre dinosaurs that walked the earth millions of years ago.

There will be replicas of dinosaur skeletons and skull casts, original specimens, life-like reconstructions, artwork, and facts and stories about the diets and behaviours of the creatures.

The exhibition is being brought to the museum by Bespoke Scientific, which specialises in producing natural history and science exhibitions featuring previously unseen material. It has been funded through Mansfield District Council’s status as an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation as part of a programme of work to develop its natural history collections and reach wider and more diverse audiences.

Coun Stuart Richardson, portfolio holder for Regeneration and Growth, said: “This exhibition will definitely have the wow factor — and not just for children. Who doesn’t love seeing a full-size dinosaur skeleton!

“We have the funding from Arts Council England to thank for this. Our NPO status has transformed what we have been able to achieve in diversifying our cultural experiences.”

There are also extra paid-for, dinosaur-themed activities being run during the summer.

On Wednesday, 7th August, youngsters will be able to join Professor Foss Cecil for a Jurassic Dinosaur Safari, when the prof and his team will teach them everything they need to know to become fully-fledged ‘dino discoverers’ — and how to avoid ending up as a dino dinner!

There will be a chance to do your own Monster Mosh and dance along to a backdrop of dinosaurs at a silent disco on Saturday, 17th August.

And each day, from Tuesday, 27th August to Saturday, 31st August, sculptor Michelle Reader will be leading 90-minute workshops, turning recycled materials into three-dimensional pre-historic creatures. Participants will be able to draw or make their own mini versions and contribute to one big collaborative sculpture which will go on display in the museum.

Visitors will need to book a place on the silent disco, dinosaur safari, and sculpture workshops at https://www.mansfield.gov.uk/museum/events