Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs Review
Dinosaurs were a huge part of my childhood. My younger brother was obsessed—we’d spend hours reading dinosaur books, poring over fact sheets, and watching every documentary and movie we could find. Years passed without a single dino thought—until recently. Over the last month, I read a dinosaur book to my niece, visited the Jurassic Park exhibit, and most recently experienced Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs. And honestly, it reminded me just how timeless the appeal of dinosaurs really is.
This immersive exhibition invites you into the prehistoric world like never before. Based on moments from Apple TV+’s Emmy-nominated Prehistoric Planet, it combines extended CGI sequences, bespoke illustrations, and stunning storytelling. The result? A breathtaking, near-realistic glimpse into what it might have felt like to see dinosaurs roaming the Earth.
Hosted at Lightroom with its state-of-the-art 360° projections, the show brings these majestic creatures to life on a truly awe-inspiring scale. Although I haven’t watched the original series narrated by David Attenborough, Damian Lewis provides the voiceover for this experience in a similarly style.
The experience is divided into six themed segments over 50 minutes, covering everything from evolution to the dinosaurs’ lasting legacy. There’s no strict timing—visitors can enter or leave as they wish, which meant I could even enjoy a couple of segments twice.
The visuals were nothing short of spectacular. Seeing four-storey-tall dinosaurs stretch across the screen was vivid reminder of their scale. When they soared through the sky or crossed vast deserts, it truly felt like you were there. At one point, as a dinosaur saved her young from danger, an audible sigh rippled through the audience. And yes, there were gasps too—especially when it felt like a pack of dinosaurs was surrounding you or a T-Rex was about to attack. The accompanying original score, composed by multiple-award winner Hans Zimmer, Anže Rozman, and Kara Talve (for Bleeding Fingers Music), added even depth to the experience.
As the experience is for all ages, there were many young children excitedly running around or crawling after the floor projections, which occasionally made it hard to hear the narration. While subtitles are available, they appear at the top of the screen, which isn’t always easy to follow if you’re not facing forward. That said, it was lovely to see both children (and adults) comparing their height to the dinosaurs and familiar objects like a London double-decker bus.
Due to the 360° setup, you’ll see something wherever you stand or sit. I did find myself (and those around me) craning our necks to take in everything, so you may wish to grab a a seat in the bottom corners.
The show doesn’t dive too deeply into scientific complexity—some facts are simplified—but it still manages to share some fascinating insights. Did you know a T-Rex could lay up to 15 eggs? Or that one species had an 18-month pregnancy?
Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs is directed and designed by 59 Studio in close collaboration with the makers of Prehistoric Planet, Apple TV+, and Executive Producer and BBC Studios Natural History Unit Creative Director Mike Gunton.
If you’re a dino-lover, have curious kids, or just want to experience something visually stunning, this is worth the visit. As Damian Lewis says ‘Where else are you going to get to sidle up next to a life-size, living T Rex in its natural habitat?’
Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs
runs from 2nd July to 2 November 2025.
Adult tickets are from £25, with students and under 18s from £15, and under 3s free.
Address: Lightroom, 12 Lewis Cubitt Square, N1C 4 DY.
