Big Sara
5
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
About
For the first time ever, a large scale authentic dinosaur fossil is on display in a shopping centre in the UK. YES! You will be able to meet Big Sara, at Westquay. Dating from the Upper Jurassic period, Big Sara is an allosaurus measuring 10 metres in length and 3.5 metres in height. With 70% of its skeleton intact, Big Sara is one of the most complete allosaurus skeletons ever discovered. The fossil was discovered in 2015 on a steep hillside in the Morrison Formation in Wyoming, acknowledged as the most fertile source of dinosaur fossils in North America, and took more than two years to fully remove. Big Sara would have roamed the earth around 150 million years ago. Allosaurus means ‘different lizard’ because of its unique concave vertebrae, and they are believed to be a cousin of the T-Rex. As a formidable carnivore, she would have been top of the food chain and ripped her prey apart with her killer claws. Some palaeontologists believe the allosaurus was a social animal and hunted in packs while others believe individuals may have been aggressive toward each other and have a reputation for fighting. Big Sara has been loaned to Westquay shopping centre, initially for a two-year period, by the Bournemouth based Richmond Group which bought the dinosaur at auction. Find Big Sara in Westquay South, near Five Guys.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
21 reviews
Excellent
20
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
sam s
3 contributions
Jun 2023 • Solo
Big Sara has been on display for a year now and we have the glory of her for 12 more months as it stands.
She is MAGNIFICENT! Southampton is steeped in history, but you won't see anything else as impressive as her.
I have seen her A LOT of times and she doesn't get any less wonderful.
Be sure to go up the escalator for an aerial view too.
She is MAGNIFICENT! Southampton is steeped in history, but you won't see anything else as impressive as her.
I have seen her A LOT of times and she doesn't get any less wonderful.
Be sure to go up the escalator for an aerial view too.
Written 16 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael P
1 contribution
Jun 2023
What an unexpected but absolutely amazing surprise.
There I was wandering around West Quay trying to remain interested as my wife asked for my opinion on yet another summer outfit and things suddenly got more interesting.
Of all things to see in a shopping centre, a real life dinosaur was a shock.
I'd like to think that millions and millions of years ago Big Sarah quite liked going out for a shopping trip - pick up something for the den, and so feels right at home in her new spot.
Thank you West Quay and Big Sarah for brightening up my shopping trip - well done.
There I was wandering around West Quay trying to remain interested as my wife asked for my opinion on yet another summer outfit and things suddenly got more interesting.
Of all things to see in a shopping centre, a real life dinosaur was a shock.
I'd like to think that millions and millions of years ago Big Sarah quite liked going out for a shopping trip - pick up something for the den, and so feels right at home in her new spot.
Thank you West Quay and Big Sarah for brightening up my shopping trip - well done.
Written 16 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adam L
3 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Great to see a giant dinosaur in a shopping centre! 12/10 would visit again. Roooooooooooooooaoaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar*
*NB. The dinosaur doesn’t actually roar… it’s a fossil. That was the noise of my 4 year old.
*NB. The dinosaur doesn’t actually roar… it’s a fossil. That was the noise of my 4 year old.
Written 15 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JJFoster
London, UK45 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Really impressed with this - this is a pristine preserved actual real dinosaur skeleton. The kind of thing you'd expect to only find in the natural history museum.
You can get really up close to it - and it's great to show any dinosaur enthusiasts in the family!!
You can get really up close to it - and it's great to show any dinosaur enthusiasts in the family!!
Written 12 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelly B
1 contribution
Apr 2023
What a treat having this in Southampton. Kids love it and I get to keep them happy whilst I shop! Hoping it stays around for a few years.
Written 9 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mo M
1 contribution
Jun 2023
My son loves seeing this beast, he keeps suggesting a trip to IKEA so that he can get a chance to see Big Sara.
Written 26 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin B
1 contribution
May 2023
What an amzing site, and so educational. Finally a donosaur skellinton that you can see up close without having to battle through the queues at the Natural history museum.
Kudos to the Richmond group for lending it to West Quay - rumour has it that Sara ate the board and now owns the company. Might see if i can get the inlaws to visit her ;)
Kudos to the Richmond group for lending it to West Quay - rumour has it that Sara ate the board and now owns the company. Might see if i can get the inlaws to visit her ;)
Written 19 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
challisfamily
Ware, UK306 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Went to visit the area, as we entered the quay there was this dinosaur, my son loved it, honestly as it was located near cinema it was a old promo for last jurassic world film, but now it not there for that.
Written 16 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gregsmith84
Bournemouth, UK5 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
God creates dinosaurs. God destroys dinosaurs. God creates man. Man destroys God. Man displays dinosaurs at a shopping mall for all to enjoy. 🦖
Dinosaurs eat man, Women inherit the earth. 🌎 ❤️
Fantastic to see up close well worth a visit. Thank you for putting her on display!
Dinosaurs eat man, Women inherit the earth. 🌎 ❤️
Fantastic to see up close well worth a visit. Thank you for putting her on display!
Written 15 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I M
Poole, UK2 contributions
Jun 2023
Epic. Just along from the Jurrasic Coast there's an actual dinosaur (fossil). Well worth a quick visit, and it's free.
Written 15 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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