Crystal Palace Park

★ 4.5 (13,722)Free

Crystal Palace Park was laid out to showcase the Great Exhibition's glass-and-iron Crystal Palace after it moved here from Hyde Park in 1854, and though the building itself burned down in 1936, the park retains its most famous feature: a set of Victorian dinosaur sculptures, the first ever made, still scattered around a lake. Playgrounds, a boating lake, and open lawns make it a popular family spot today, and a newer dinosaur-themed play area builds on the original theme. It's a park that rewards curiosity about its unusual history as much as a simple walk.

✨ Reasons to go

1Home to the world's first dinosaur sculptures, created for the Victorian era park in the 1850s
2The park was built to house the relocated Crystal Palace from the 1851 Great Exhibition, which stood here until it burned down in 1936
3The dinosaur statues are still scattered around the lower lake in their original Victorian layout

💡 Good to know

1Free to enter
2visit the dinosaur sculptures around the lower lake, a favourite with kids
3combine with the playground and dinosaur-themed play park for a family day out.

⏱️ Typical visit

🕰️ Best time

early morning, morning, lunchtime, afternoon, early evening or evening

🚶 Walking intensity

Moderate walking

📍

Address

Thicket Rd, London SE19 2GA, UKGoogle Apple

🎫

Booking

Walk-in

What people say

"Lovely park, lots to see and do for families. Playground and new dinosaur play park so you can visit both. Lots if spaces for picnic, pond to hire pedlo if required, also few ducks to feed. Nice walk around the renovated dinosaurs, Small farm along the dinosaur walk. Theres also a leisure centre so you could add this onto your trip. Nearest station to cafe and dinosaurs was penge west which was just 5mins walk"

— Bobbie Samuels (Bobbie)

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