The world-exclusive Dinosaurs of China exhibition is offering visitors with special needs or disabilities a ‘roarsome’ experience this summer, through dedicated Access for All tours.

Dinosaurs of China, which takes place at Wollaton Hall from 1 July to 29 October will run a number of special tours in September, providing an ideal opportunity for those with autism, disabilities or visual impairments to experience the spectacular ground shakers to feathered flyers exhibition, in a quieter, more relaxed setting.

On Tuesday 5 September and Wednesday 6 September between 5 – 7pm, Dinosaurs of China will host relaxed visits for children on the autism spectrum and their families, friends and carers. On Thursday 7 September, there will be tactile descriptive tours for visitors with visual impairments. Friday 8 September will include relaxed visits for people with access needs who may enjoy visiting at a quieter time.  Further Access for All tours will be arranged dependent on numbers.

Highlights during the tour will include the show-stopping Mamenchisaurus – a dinosaur the same height as three double decker buses and the amazing Gigantoraptor, the largest feathered dinosaur in the world. Visitors will also be taken on an evolutional journey as the exhibition tells the story of how dinosaurs evolved into the birds we see in our gardens today.

This is the first and only time that the grand selection of 3D mounted skeletons, detailed replicas and original fossils will be seen outside of Asia and organisers will ensure that each tour has the necessary requirements needed for visitors who have special needs to enjoy the experience.

Cllr Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture said: “The Access for All tours will ensure that those who want to visit at a quieter time with reduced visitor numbers or those who require additional necessities such as descriptive tours can enjoy the exhibition in comfort with their family, friends or carers.

“We understand that those with autism may need certain lighting or sounds changed and those with other impairments may require further adaptations to better enjoy their experience. We have consulted with local groups about this. Those who are visually impaired will also benefit from a guided descriptive tour while being able to touch some elements of the exhibition to enjoy the full experience. There will also be a number of relaxed visits for people who may have specific access needs.

“These tours and exhibition offer a unique opportunity to experience the fantastic collection of some of the world’s best preserved dinosaurs, with many having only been discovered in the last 20 years. We want the exhibition to be a truly unforgettable experience for all.”

Tickets for the Wollaton Hall exhibition are now on sale. Prices are £7.70 for an adult and £5.50 for a child. There is a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) for £22.00. Children under five go free and the event welcomes school parties at a reduced price. Carers go free. There is a complementary exhibition at Nottingham Lakeside Arts which is free of charge. Please visit the website for details.

For more information, to book your Access for All visit or to discuss your needs, please email wollaton.hall@nottinghamcity.gov.uk. Further information can also be found at www.dinosaursofchina.co.uk/events

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Dinosaurs of China is a one-time only world exclusive exhibition of dinosaurs, which will be coming to the UK for the first and only time this summer.

Taking place from 1 July to 29 October 2017, the event will be held at Wollaton Hall in Nottingham and University of Nottingham’s public art centre, Lakeside Arts and will be the only time that visitors can see this vast selection of fossils and skeletons outside of Asia.

The exhibition will bring to life the history of how dinosaurs evolved into the birds that live alongside us today and will feature some of the biggest dinosaur skeletons in existence.

www.dinoaursofchina.co.uk