Antiques Roadshow Meet Titus the T. rex for Nottingham Show

The Titus T. rex is King exhibition is hitting our screens as Wollaton Hall hosted the filming of Antiques Roadshow on Tuesday 7th June 2022.

The exhibition, which showcases the first real Tyrannosaurus Rex to be displayed in England for over a century, recently appeared on BBC One’s Bargain Hunt as Charlie Ross came face-to-face with Titus in a memorable meeting.

Now the Titus exhibition is in the spotlight again as BBC’s Antiques Roadshow came to Wollaton Hall in Nottingham to uncover the fascinating stories behind valuable personal items.

Unlike previous years, The Roadshow which was set in the stunning grounds of the Elizabethan country house of Wollaton Hall and Deer Park, was a ticketed only event, and due to its popularity sold out entirely.

The Titus the T. rex is King Exhibition has been a big hit with people of all ages since it first opened its doors to the public in July 2021. At 66 million years old, Titus has become the must-see real-life dinosaur for antique experts.

Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Planning, Cllr Pavlos Kotsonis, said: “We are thrilled for our Nottingham City Museums team to be working with BBC One and to have hosted filming Antiques Roadshow at Wollaton Hall & Deer Park. This will further help showcase this site and the council’s museum service work as Fiona Bruce came face to face with ‘Titus the T. rex’ to learn all about how this unique specimen was discovered and then travelled across from America to Wollaton Hall for his first ever public display.”

Kinga Kapias, Marketing and Communications Manager for Visit Nottinghamshire commented: “We’re really excited to see that the Titus the T. rex exhibition will be featuring on BBC Antiques Roadshow as part of their filming at Wollaton Hall and Deer Park. Having the exhibition there has paired two great visitor attractions together.

“Nottingham and Nottinghamshire is famous for its plethora of iconic venues such as Wollaton Hall which has been the most popular free visitor attraction in the East Midlands according to Visit England’s 2018 & 2019 annual visitor attraction survey. Having Titus at the hall has proved to be a huge draw for visitors. Featuring on one of the BBC’s most popular prime-time shows will undoubtedly be another great boost for the attraction and Nottingham as a visitor destination.”

Rachael Evans, Museum Development Manager at Nottingham City Museums and Galleries, said: “We were very excited to welcome Antiques Roadshow on site at Wollaton Hall and most importantly, introduce them to our popular Titus T. rex is King exhibition. Coming up close and personal with an actual T. rex is an experience very few in the world can claim, so it’s unsurprising he’s received so much TV attention!”

The exhibition guides visitors through the journey of Titus’ discovery and how the enormous dinosaur came to find itself homed in the heart of Nottingham after travelling all the way from the Montana Badlands, USA.

Rachael added: “Taking over some 4,000 square feet, Titus has made himself at home in our largest room at Wollaton Hall. Everyone is always blown away by the size of Titus, and it’s only until you witness his scale first-hand that you appreciate the power of these dinosaurs that once roamed the earth.”

Other highlights of the immersive exhibition include hands-free interactive games designed to uncover the myth of whether the T. rex was in fact covered in scales or feathers, as well as many other activities suited for all ages.

Since the opening of Wollaton Hall’s new Extinction and Evolution exhibition earlier in the year, offering a journey through time into prehistoric past, ticket sales have soared with a huge 30 per cent increase.

Rachael said: “It has been great to see visitors from right across the UK make the journey to meet Titus. The exhibition is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to explore the city and wider region and consequently will continue to play a key role in the recovery of our local visitor economy.”

Titus: T. rex is King Exhibition tickets are available throughout the summer at www.wollatonhall.org.uk/titus. Standard ticket prices for a child are £8.75, adult tickets are £13 and family are £34 (tickets include booking fee). Under threes and carers can enter for free.