EVERY child’s dream is to see a real-life dinosaur and luckily for us, there are places near home where kids can do just that.
These ancient creatures might have gone extinct over 60 million years ago but that hasn’t stopped the little ones from being obsessed with them.
From a roller coaster to a large-scale three and a half metre dinosaur fossil, there is plenty to choose from if you want to look at these incredible animals.
Below is a list of where you can see dinosaurs in or near Southampton for a great family day out.
READ MORE: Stephen Fry to present new dinosaur documentary series for Channel 5
Westquay, Southampton
For the first time ever, a large-scale dinosaur fossil went on display in a shopping centre in the UK.
Dating from the Upper Jurassic period, Big Sara measures 10 metres in length and 3.5 metres in height and can be found at the Westquay shopping centre (Westquay south) in Southampton.
Big Sara will stay there until December 13.
Dinosaur Isle, Sandown
Just across the Solent, Dinosaur Isle is Britain’s first purpose-built dinosaur attraction just over the sea wall in Sandown, on the Isle of Wight, where you can walk back through fossilised times to the period of the dinosaurs 120 million years ago.
Here you will be able to meet life-sized models of the Isle of Wight’s famous dinosaurs – neovenator and eotyrannus amongst others.
Dinosaur Expedition Centre, Newport
Dinosaur expeditions is a community interest company created by local fossil enthusiasts to help visitors learn more about the Isle of Wight's fossil heritage and locally produced paleoart – the art that attempts to draw pre-historic life according to scientific evidence.
Jurassic Encounter, Royal Victoria Country Park
More than 50 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs will be on display at Royal Victoria Country Park in Netley later this summer.
Visitors will be able to admire creatures from the Jurassic, Triassic and Cretaceous periods.
The event will also feature two life-sized T-Rex beasts, which roar and snarl at passers-by.
Jurassic Encounter runs from August 21 to September 4.
Lost Kingdom at Paultons Park
This dinosaur-theme park in Romsey has loads of attractions including two world-class roller coasters, a pre-historic dinosaur adventure park and an opportunity to see walking animatronic dinosaurs.
Some of the rides include the flight of the pterosaur, a prehistoric adventure ride that let users soar through the sky, a drive through the lost kingdom on a Jurassic 4x4 expedition and the temple hights, which lets you see far and wide over lost kingdom as you summit the temple.
The Dinosaur Museum, Dorchester
For big dinosaur fans, the dinosaur museum in Dorchester is the perfect place to see dinosaur skeletons walk among life-size reconstructions of the Stegosaurus and T-rex.
You can also have a dig in the excavation pit to try to find your own dinosaur fossil.
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