Life-size Megalosaurus sculptures will dominate the grounds of Blenheim Palace this summer as a major new exhibition celebrates the world’s first named dinosaur through art, science and cutting-edge engineering.
From 10 August to 1 November, visitors to the Oxfordshire estate will be able to encounter five towering nine-metre-tall Megalosaurus sculptures along the pathway beyond the Lower Water Terraces, overlooking the South Lawn.
Created by British artist, designer, author and former BBC presenter Jay Jay Burridge, Dinosaurs Are Forever combines palaeontology, engineering, creativity and contemporary art to bring Britain’s most famous prehistoric predator back to life.
Jay Jay Burridge, British artist, designer, author and former BBC presenter, said: “Dinosaurs Are Forever was born from considering what dinosaurs might become if shaped by the technologies of today.
“When I moved to Oxfordshire 17 years ago, I set up my workshop in Stonesfield.
“Only later did I discover that this was where the first dinosaur was unearthed.
“That connection between place, history and imagination sits at the heart of this work.”
Megalosaurus holds a unique place in scientific history as the first dinosaur to be formally named, in 1824, changing the world’s understanding of prehistoric life and paving the way for modern palaeontology.
To create the exhibition, Burridge worked with palaeontologist Dr Matt Dempsey to reconstruct the dinosaur using the original fossil material alongside new research based on its closest known relatives.
The resulting sculptures are scientifically informed while embracing a contemporary artistic vision, offering visitors a striking interpretation of an animal that has fascinated scientists for more than two centuries.
Rather than producing static replicas, the project pushed modern engineering techniques to create dynamic, movable structures capable of reflecting the power and scale of the prehistoric predator.
Specialist fabricators with experience in Formula 1 and aerospace engineering developed precision-engineered exoskeletons, custom-designed joints and a network of shock cords acting as tendons and arteries to give the giant sculptures strength, flexibility and movement.
Each individual bone was then hand carved from a dense, ultra-lightweight material before being assembled onto the framework, combining traditional craftsmanship with advanced engineering.
The exhibition represents the culmination of decades of Burridge’s work exploring dinosaurs through sculpture, storytelling and immersive art.
After graduating from Central Saint Martins, Burridge first gained recognition for creating full-scale toy sculptures, including wooden dinosaurs, before succeeding Tony Hart as writer and presenter of the BBC children’s art programme SMart.
His career has since spanned art, fashion and design, collaborations with artists including Banksy, the internationally published The World of Supersaurs book series, and work on Formula 1’s global touring exhibition.
Hosted in partnership with the Museum of Natural History, University of Oxford, Dinosaurs Are Forever also celebrates Oxfordshire’s role in the history of dinosaur discovery, with the first Megalosaurus fossils unearthed in nearby Stonesfield.
Heather Carter, managing director of visitor attraction at Blenheim Palace, said: “Dinosaurs Are Forever is not one to be missed as it brings together history, art, and cutting-edge technology with Blenheim Palace as the stunning backdrop.
“We’re thrilled to be able to showcase Jay Jay’s artistry and celebrate the incredible full-size sculptures that will come together to create an outdoor exhibition like no other we’ve ever had.”
Admission to the exhibition is included with any valid Blenheim Palace ticket or Annual Pass, allowing visitors to experience the sculptures alongside the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s palace, landscaped parkland and formal gardens.
Home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1705 and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace has become known for combining its historic setting with major cultural events, and Dinosaurs Are Forever promises to be one of its most ambitious outdoor exhibitions to date.
Set against one of Britain’s grandest historic landscapes, the exhibition offers visitors a rare chance to stand beneath full-scale reconstructions of the dinosaur that first changed humanity’s understanding of life on Earth millions of years ago.
Featured image credit: Blenheim Palace
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