10 Things to Do in Crystal Palace Park
A Grade II* Listed Park in South-East London
Definitely one of the biggest draws to the south-east London area of Crystal Palace is the park of the same name! It’s famous for once being the site of the Crystal Palace, the enormous glass structure that was built for the Great Exhibition of 1851, before it burned down. It’s quite big and has a lot to offer, so it definitely will keep you busy for an entire day. During my six months of living in the area, I spent many a day exploring the park.
Here’s a list of 10 things you cannot miss:
1. The Crystal Palace Dinosaurs
Yes, you read that right. Crystal Palace Park is the only park in London where you can find dinosaurs, or at least Victorian sculptures of them! Located down by the lakes, in the South of the Park, the collection of dinosaurs and other extinct animals was unveiled back in the 1850s and was the world’s first full-scale reconstructions of dinosaurs.
We may find them comical now, but they would’ve looked entirely accurate to the Victorians according to the science of the time. One thing’s for sure: they’re absolutely unique and a total pleasure to see peaking out from the lush vegetation of the park.
2. The Crystal Palace Bowl
It may not look like much to the untrained eye, but the Crystal Palace Bowl is an iconic South London music stage. First established in 1961 the Bowl has played host to a plethora of music superstars such as Pink Floyd, Bob Marley, Eric Clapton, and so many more.
Following a successful crowdfunding campaign, the “rusty laptop” as it’s affectionately known by locals, is back in business! Keep an eye out for concerts and musicians happening during your stay. I, personally, would love to see London’s original outdoor concert venue returned to its full glory.
3. The Crystal Palace Park Farm
This community-run working farm is a part of Capel Manor College, London’s only specialist environmental college. It’s not quite as big or famous as some of London’s other city farms, but its charm lies in its quaintness.
Visitors to this free farm (though donations are always appreciated) have the pleasure of seeing a range of animals, from bunnies, birds, ponies, goats, reptiles, and more. It’s great for children and the inner child within all of us.
4. The Crystal Palace Maze
With a diameter of 49 meters, the Crystal Palace Maze is one of the largest in the country. Straight out of a fairytale, this luscious maze has towering hedges and winding paths guaranteed to lead you to a dead end or two before you reach the center.
The maze was originally planted in the 1870s and then replanted in 1987 using the original design. It’s famously the site of the first Scout Rally during which a small group of girls asked Chief Scout Lord Robert Baden-Powell that he set up ‘something for the girls’. As a result, the Girl Guides was founded and a century later celebratory stone slab was placed in the center of the maze.
5. The Crystal Palace National Sports Centre
First opened in 1964, the center lies at the heart of Crystal Palace Park and has a wide range of sports facilities and stadiums, including a gym, pools, courts, pitches, and tracks -I even saw a radio-controlled track for electric cars!
Today you can sign up for a membership, pay as you go, or just get a day pass (perfect for travelers). But, if you’re like me, you might just want to stroll on by eating ice cream while you admire others’ athletic prowess.
6. The Crystal Palace Museum
Blink and you’ll miss it, this one-room museum is housed in the last surviving building constructed by the Crystal Palace Company, tucked away on the edge of the park. The museum is dedicated to the Crystal Palace, a massive glass structure designed by Joseph Paxton for the 1851 Great Exhibition.
Unfortunately, the real palace burned down years ago (typical London) but this quaint little museum is doing its best to keep the memory alive by displaying artifacts, photos, and scale models of the iconic building.
7. Crystal Palace Park Market
Every Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm the bottom of the park (in the southeast corner) is taken over by colorful stands and the delicious smells wafting from them. Here you’ll find the best food the area has to offer! Everything from organic fruit and vegetables to baked goods, to farm butchers meat and fresh fish, cheeses, sauces, oils, and more!
It’s not just for food to take away either, there’s also a range of award-winning street food ready to eat. It makes for the perfect lunch break on your visit to the park.
8. The Italian Terraces and the Sphinxes
The Crystal Palace structure may not exist anymore but you can still clearly see exactly where it once stood thanks to the Italian Terraces and sphinx sculptures which remain in their places.
Like the palace itself, the terraces were also designed by Sir Joseph Paxton (once a humble gardener before his ingenious Crystal Palace design, modeled off a greenhouse) and today are Grade II listed. Their scope and grandeur allude to the magnificence of the palace itself which today we can only imagine.
9. The Crystal Palace Transmitting Station
Officially known as Arqiva Crystal Palace, the transmitting station was built in the mid-1950s and was the tallest structure in London until One Canada Square was built in 1990. Today, it’s still the eighth-tallest structure in London!
It may seem strange to find a transmitting station on this list, but once you see it, you realize how impressive it is and what an iconic symbol it is for Crystal Palace. Now, whenever I’m at a high vantage point in London, I look out for the transmitter!
10. The Crystal Palace Boating Lake
Lastly, one of the most peaceful activities to do in the park is to hire a pedal boat and make your way around the scenic lake. This is my favorite part of the park as the vegetation is at its most lush – you can truly forget that you’re inside a park inside a city instead of out in the countryside.
It’s right near the dinosaurs so you’ll get a chance to see them as well, making it definitely one of the most unique boating lakes in London.