A rare 150-million-year-old dinosaur skeleton is set to go on display at the Hollytrees Museum in Colchester, Essex, on 3 April 2026 to offer a new educational experience for local families. This marks the first time a dinosaur has been exhibited in the city as part of a new event called Discover Juliasaurus’ Lost World.
The skeleton, named Juliasaurus, is a 6.2 metre long meat-eating dinosaur that was found in Wyoming in 2020. The fossil is around 75 per cent complete and includes a partial skull, making it a significant find for the museum.
According to Visit Colchester, the dinosaur has never been shown to the public anywhere else in the world. Museums manager Pippa Pickles said the exhibition is a unique opportunity for residents to see the specimen inside the historic Georgian mansion.
The display will also feature roughly 100 other items, including fossils found in the local area and taxidermy. The project is a partnership between local museum services, the David Aaron gallery, and a private collector.
The exhibition is designed to encourage school groups and students to engage with history and will remain open to the public until 1 November 2027.
