This is London Magazine July Edition 2026 - Flipbook - Page 13
MEGALOSAURUS SCULPTURES AT
BLENHEIM PALACE
From 10 August to 1 November,
visitors can encounter huge 9 metre tall
Megalosaurus sculptures as Blenheim
Palace hosts Dinosaurs Are Forever, a
unique exhibition created by artist Jay
Jay Burridge.
The exhibition combines art,
palaeontology, engineering, creativity,
and cutting-edge technology to celebrate
the dinosaur that transformed scientific
understanding of prehistoric life.
The impressive sculptures are
scientifically informed reconstructions of
Megalosaurus, the first dinosaurs to be
named in 1824. Visitors can discover
the five sculptures along the pathway
which follows on from the Lower Water
Terraces, with views of the South Lawn,
at Britain’s Greatest Palace.
Working with palaeontologist Dr Matt
Dempsey, Jay Jay Burridge combined
the original fossil material with new data
from its closest relatives, to rebuild the
skeleton of a Megalosaurus into a
unique and movable structure. Specialist
fabricators, whose expertise includes
Formula 1 and aerospace engineering,
helped transform the reconstructions
into full-scale sculptures featuring
precision engineered exoskeletons,
custom designed joints and a lattice of
tendons and arteries, binding the
structure together with shock cord and
adding tension and flexibility.
Onto the framework, each bone is
hand carved from a dense, ultra
lightweight material, combining
scientific accuracy with contemporary
design.
13
THE BARNET FOOD FESTIVAL:
A DELICIOUS FAMILY DAY OUT
Families across north London and
visitors are invited to enjoy a memorable
day out as the Barnet Food Festival
returns to the Royal Air Force Museum
London on 12–13 September. Combining
delicious food, live entertainment and a
packed programme of family-friendly
activities, the festival offers an affordable
and enjoyable way to celebrate the end
of summer together.
One of the biggest attractions for
families will be the festival's free Kids
Zone, where children can enjoy hours of
entertainment throughout the day.
Activities will include face painting,
biscuit decorating, circus games, an
inflatable obstacle course and interactive
circus skills workshops, ensuring there
is plenty to keep younger visitors
engaged and entertained.
While children explore the activities
on offer, parents can discover a diverse
selection of food and drink from more
than 40 traders. From wood-fired pizzas,
sizzling kebabs and flavour-packed
curries to Caribbean-inspired dishes,
international street food and freshly
prepared barbecue favourites, there will
be something to suit every taste.
Families with a sweet tooth can enjoy
treats including waffles, ice cream,
chocolate-covered fruit and traditional
chimney cakes, while adults can relax
with artisan coffee, speciality drinks and
refreshments.Throughout the weekend,
live performances on the Spitfire Stage
will create a vibrant atmosphere,
providing the perfect backdrop for
families to spend quality time together.
Every ticket includes access to the
RAF Museum's galleries and historic
aircraft collection, allowing visitors to
combine a fun festival experience with
the opportunity to explore more than a
century of aviation history.
www.rafmuseum.org.uk/BFF
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