Crystal Palace Park, one of London’s most cherished green spaces, is set to undergo a £17.75 million transformation following unanimous planning approval from Bromley Council’s Development Control Committee. This major restoration project will breathe new life into the historic Victorian park, preserving and enhancing many of its original features, including the iconic Grade-I listed dinosaurs and Italian Terraces.
The project is part of a broader £52 million regeneration plan for the Grade-II* listed park, which is being delivered in partnership with the Crystal Palace Park Trust. The approval marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to restore and rejuvenate the park, which has long been a beloved landmark in South London.
The plans for this phase of the restoration, led by a team of specialist consultants from HTA Design, include several key elements:
- Restoration of the Grade-I listed Geological Court: This will include the famous Dinosaur sculptures, which will be set within an enhanced landscape to better showcase these historic figures.
- New Dinosaur and Geologically Themed Play Area: A family-friendly space designed to engage visitors with the park’s unique geological history.
- Restoration of the Grade-II Italian Terraces: These terraces, a highlight of the park’s Victorian heritage, will be meticulously restored to their former glory.
- New Information Centre and Maintenance Facility: This will serve as a hub for visitors and park staff, providing essential services and information.
- New Feature Entrance at Penge Gate: A welcoming new entrance will improve accessibility and enhance the visitor experience.
- Improved Lighting, Wayfinding, and Accessibility: Enhancements around the Tidal Lakes and Italian Terraces will make the park more accessible and enjoyable for all visitors.
In addition to preserving the park’s historical elements, the restoration plans also focus on enhancing its natural environment. New meadows, paleo-inspired planting, and wildlife-friendly shrubbery are set to create new habitats, while sustainable water management will be integrated into the landscape with the use of swales and rain gardens to manage stormwater runoff.
Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation, and Housing, expressed her enthusiasm for the project: “I am delighted that our aspirations for the regeneration of Crystal Palace Park have now had the necessary approvals, and we can forge ahead with our vision for a revitalized green space for residents and visitors. This bold heritage project will benefit not only residents and visitors now but future generations to come.”
Natalia Roussou, Landscape Design Director at HTA Design, echoed these sentiments: “This is a major step towards the regeneration of Crystal Palace Park, taking us closer to reimagining Britain’s parks as climate-resilient, biodiverse, and accessible spaces for all. By celebrating and protecting the site’s historic significance, the proposals will re-establish one of London’s legacy parks as an international destination.”
The Crystal Palace Park Trust, which took over the management of the park in September 2023, is also celebrating this significant achievement. Chief Executive Officer Victoria Pinnington noted the timeliness of the approval, coinciding with the park’s 170th anniversary in 2024. “The regeneration works that have been approved are vital to ensuring that the park’s heritage assets are taken off the Heritage at Risk Register and protected for the benefit of generations to come,” she said. “Once the works are completed, the Trust looks forward to sharing the story of ‘the world’s first theme park’ and welcoming many more people to this corner of South London in the years to come.”
Funding for the restoration has been provided by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England, and proceeds from residential developments near the park. Additional grant funding opportunities are being pursued to support the full regeneration plan, with work set to begin on-site in 2025.
Author: Jonathan Thomas
Jonathan is a consummate Anglophile who launched Anglotopia.net in 2007 to channel his passion for Britain. Londontopia is its sister publication dedicated to everything London.