A novel café experience is set to open in Cirencester, offering both children and adults the chance to operate diggers and unearth dinosaur fossils. The Dig, a female-founded attraction, will feature two large indoor construction pits equipped with realistic, radio-controlled excavators, dump trucks and other machinery, alongside a hands-on dinosaur fossil excavation area and an accompanying café.
Unlike traditional play venues, The Dig invites visitors of all ages to take the controls and engage in construction-themed challenges. Each pit can host up to 10 operators simultaneously, allowing 20 visitors to participate in 30-minute sessions where they excavate sand, load trucks and move materials within a fully themed construction environment.
The dinosaur fossil excavation offers an additional interactive experience where budding archaeologists can use brushes and tools to uncover fossils hidden beneath the sand. After enjoying the activities, visitors can relax in The Dig Café, which serves locally sourced coffee, teas, cold drinks, cakes and baked goods.
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Co-founder Bethyn Barrass, drawing on her extensive background in live events and immersive attractions with Wiltshire-based Valhalla Entertainments T/A Odin Events, emphasised the importance of creating an authentic environment. She explained, “We didn’t want to simply put remote-control machines in a sandpit. Our goal was for visitors to feel like they’ve arrived on a genuine construction site, right down to the signage, machinery and challenges. Adding dinosaurs was the perfect complement; after all, construction machinery and dinosaurs are hard to beat together.”
Catherine Winterburn, co-founder, highlighted that The Dig is designed to appeal to entire families. “While aimed at families, it’s not a conventional children’s play venue. We expect many parents and grandparents will be just as eager to control the machinery as the children. We’ve carefully considered every aspect of the visit-from the construction and dinosaur activities to the café and theming-to create a completely unique experience.”
The founders also noted the significance of two women establishing a business focused on excavators, dump trucks, construction sites and dinosaurs. The attraction is suitable for children from around age four or five upwards, with team support provided. Younger children may enjoy the dinosaur excavation, while adults are encouraged to operate the construction equipment.
Entry to The Dig is free, with no charge for accompanying adults not participating in activities. Experience tickets start at £8, and visitors may use the café without booking an attraction session. This approach encourages families to enjoy time together without requiring every member to buy a ticket.
The Dig emphasises local connections, sourcing coffee from Cirencester roaster Fire & Flow and apple juice pressed nearby in Malmesbury, ensuring the café offers authentic regional flavours.
The Dig will open on 19 October at 7 The Woolmarket, Cirencester, near Waterloo Car Park and within walking distance of the town centre. Bookings are now open for this exciting new family destination.