Crystal Palace Park is a Victorian park in southeast London, with open lawns, lakes and historic features from the grounds of the former Crystal Palace. Its best-known residents are the Victorian dinosaur sculptures around the lake, among the first full-scale models of dinosaurs. You can also see the Italian Terraces, find the maze and visit the Crystal Palace Museum. Play areas, a skatepark and a boating lake add options for families, while paths and quieter green spaces suit a slower walk. Some areas are under redevelopment, so routes may be diverted.
A park built for the Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace Park was designed as a pleasure ground for the Crystal Palace, the glass-and-iron building made for the Great Exhibition of 1851. The structure was moved from Hyde Park to Sydenham Hill, where the park was laid out around it. The palace burned down in 1936, but parts of its grounds remain, including the Italian Terraces and their stairways.
The terraces give a sense of the scale and form of the grounds around the former palace. A large bust of Sir Joseph Paxton, who designed the park, is another reminder of its origins. The Crystal Palace Museum holds photographs, models and objects connected with the building. It was built by the same company as the original palace.
The Victorian dinosaurs
The sculptures around the lake were commissioned in 1852 and unveiled in the 1850s. Created by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins, they were among the first attempts to depict dinosaurs as full-sized, three-dimensional animals. The models reflect the scientific understanding of their time, so their shapes differ from what is known today.
Look for the sculptures among the trees and around the water. They are Grade I listed and should be viewed from a distance, not climbed on or touched. An audio guide is available for their story. The lake and surrounding paths make it easy to combine the sculptures with a walk through the park.
Lakes, maze and outdoor activities
The park’s paths lead through open lawns, woodland and areas around its lakes. The maze is a circular feature known as the tea maze, and the park also has a boating lake, a skatepark and play areas. Families can make a longer outing of it by combining the dinosaurs with the maze and playgrounds; there is also a small farm.
The park is used for sport and cultural events. Its National Sports Centre has connections to Crystal Palace F.C., and the concert bowl has hosted music performances. Check current event and access information if you are visiting for a particular activity, as redevelopment is affecting parts of the grounds.
Planning a visit
Crystal Palace Park is on Thicket Road in southeast London. It is a large site with several separate attractions, so allow time to walk between areas and check the park’s current route information before you go. Redevelopment work is expected to continue until late 2026, with diversions in some sections.
The Victorian subway is a separate, occasional opening rather than an everyday stop. Its vaulted passage has patterned brickwork and ornate pillars, but it opens only three times a year. Check cpsubway.org.uk for the dates before planning around it. Sunday market stalls are another option during a visit, including food stalls and vegan baked goods from Arapina Bakery.
FAQ
What is Crystal Palace Park known for?
The park is known for its Victorian dinosaur sculptures around the lake, as well as its Italian Terraces, maze and connection to the former Crystal Palace.
Can you climb on the dinosaur sculptures?
No. The sculptures are Grade I listed and should be viewed from a distance rather than climbed on or touched.
Is the park affected by construction?
Yes. Redevelopment work affects some areas, and routes may be diverted. Check current access information before your visit.
When can you visit the Victorian subway?
It opens three times a year. Check cpsubway.org.uk for the opening dates.
