Crystal Palace Park, Thicket Road, London SE20
Crystal Palace Dinosaurs
Unusual place
Source image
5.5
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Free
Cost
Quirky
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.5Victorian artists gave prehistoric creatures a place in the landscape: the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs are life-size sculptures made for the park in the 1850s, still gathered beside its lakes. https://cpdinosaurs.org/visit/visitors-guide/
These are not fossils or a conventional museum display: they are Victorian sculptures set into a model geological landscape beside the park’s lakes. That unusual meeting of art, science and open-air setting makes them a distinctive London visit. https://cpdinosaurs.org/visit/visitors-guide/
Quirky · Atmospheric
Find your way
Open mapCrystal Palace Park, Thicket Road, London SE20
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Follow the paths beside the lakes to see the dinosaur and other animal sculptures in their landscape setting. Look beyond the best-known figures: the official visitor guide notes that there are more statues than the familiar large dinosaurs, and that signs around the lakes explain the sculptures and geological landscape. https://cpdinosaurs.org/visit/visitors-guide/
Things to do
Follow the lakeside sculpture trail
Walk the signposted paths beside the lakes to see the statues and geological landscape in their setting.
About 1 hour
Compare the statues by geological age
Face the islands and notice the broad arrangement: older groups are on the right, with the Quaternary figures including Megaloceros and Megatherium to the left.
Look beyond the best-known dinosaurs
The visitor guide points out that there are many more statues to see than the large dinosaurs often featured in photographs. Use the signs around the lakes to identify them.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1 hour
Quick Escape: the lakeside dinosaurs
- 01
Enter the park at the Penge entrance off Thicket Road.
- 02
Follow the signposted paths towards the lakes and sculptures.
- 03
Walk the lakeside paths, looking for the different statues and reading the interpretation signs.
- 04
Return the way you came; check park opening hours before visiting.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of it: sculptures, park and local history
- 01
Begin with the dinosaur sculptures and geological landscape beside the lakes.
- 02
Allow time to find the less familiar statues and read the signs around the display.
- 03
Continue exploring Crystal Palace Park, a green space identified by Visit London as a key attraction in the neighbourhood.
- 04
If you want more context, Visit London recommends the Crystal Palace Park Visitor Centre exhibition; check its current opening days and hours before making it part of your plan.
Verified history
The statues were created in the 1850s for Crystal Palace Park. They are arranged beside the lakes within a model geological landscape; the Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs describe the display as having more to offer than the famous large figures alone. https://cpdinosaurs.org/visit/visitors-guide/
Hidden details
The statues follow a geological sequence — The groups are broadly arranged by geological age when viewed facing the islands, with the Quaternary figures to the left.
There is more than the familiar dinosaur group — The visitor guide highlights additional statues and geological features beyond the large dinosaurs most often seen in photographs.
When to go
March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · Daylight, when the sculptures and interpretation signs are easiest to see.
The display is outdoors and the supplied visitor guide does not identify a particular seasonal peak. A dry spell is preferable for the unpaved path.
The sculptures are outdoors and the approach is on an unpaved footpath; wet weather may make the route less comfortable. https://cpdinosaurs.org/visit/visitors-guide/
Worth pairing with
Crystal Palace Park Visitor Centre
Visit London describes a permanent exhibition about the park’s history, including the dinosaurs. Check current opening days and hours before planning around it.
Crystal Palace neighbourhood
Visit London highlights the area’s independent shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs as possible additions to a visit.
What to look for
Notice how the sculptures are arranged broadly by geological age when facing the islands: the older groups are to the right, while the Quaternary figures, including Megaloceros and Megatherium, are to the left. Look for the information signs around the lakes. https://cpdinosaurs.org/visit/visitors-guide/
The story
Victorian sculpture; geology and the history of science
Best time to go
Any season; the sculptures are outdoors. Choose a dry spell for a more comfortable visit. https://cpdinosaurs.org/visit/visitors-guide/
Visit in daylight so you can see the sculptures and interpretive signs clearly. As the display is outdoors, a dry day makes the unpaved path more comfortable. Check park opening hours before travelling. https://cpdinosaurs.org/visit/visitors-guide/
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Families · Young children · History lovers · Photographers · Walkers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: 7:30am-8:30pm
- Tuesday: 7:30am-8:30pm
- Wednesday: 7:30am-8:30pm
- Thursday: 7:30am-8:30pm
- Friday: 7:30am-8:30pm
- Saturday: 7:30am-8:30pm
- Sunday: 7:30am-8:30pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs say the sculptures are free to visit during Crystal Palace Park’s opening hours. The official visitor guide reports that paths have reopened following regeneration work; check current park hours and conditions before setting out. View the statues from the paths; climbing on them is prohibited. https://cpdinosaurs.org/visit/visitors-guide/
Check before visiting
Parking
The official visitor guide describes a paid car park at the Penge entrance off Thicket Road and other car parks accessed from Anerley Hill and Crystal Palace Park Road. Check current charges and availability before visiting. https://cpdinosaurs.org/visit/visitors-guide/
Check before visiting
Toilets
Public toilets are near the Penge entrance; the official visitor guide says they are open when the park gates are open. Check current arrangements before visiting. https://cpdinosaurs.org/visit/visitors-guide/
Check before visiting
Food & drink
The official visitor guide reports a café near the Penge entrance. Check current opening arrangements before visiting. https://cpdinosaurs.org/visit/visitors-guide/
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check current Crystal Palace Park rules and signage before visiting with a dog.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The official visitor guide describes a step-free approach on an unpaved footpath. Surface conditions may vary; check before visiting if you need specific access information. https://cpdinosaurs.org/visit/visitors-guide/
Check before visiting
Cost
Free
Water
Lakes
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Crystal Palace Dinosaurs
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
