Outline planning approval was granted for the multi-million-pound regeneration of Crystal Palace Park in March 2021, following Bromley Council’s regeneration plan for the park, as previously reported to Executive.
This extensive plan sets out the agreed vision for restoring and sustaining the park’s incredible heritage, in keeping with the original vision of Sir Joseph Paxton, the park’s Victorian designer. This plan includes creating a business model for the park that will generate funds to support its management and the long-term preservation of its heritage, with Crystal Palace Park Trust also envisaged as the future custodians of the park under a new governance model.
Earlier stages of the regeneration of the park included the restoration of the outdoor Concert Platform, with a new stage surface, and the award winning restoration of the Crystal Palace Subway with a new roof created over the courtyard. The Crystal Palace Improvement Scheme had also previously delivered enhancements such as a new café and community space, new skatepark, and the conservation of a number of the Grade I listed dinosaurs, Grade II listed sphinxes and south terrace steps.
In May 2025 a historic period of major works got underway across the park, as a key part of the park’s regeneration plan. These works include the restoration of many of the park’s historic sites such as the dinosaurs and Italian terraces, and the creation of a new playground and information centre. The works are set to be completed by Autumn 2026 and include:
- Restoration of the 30 Grade I-listed Dinosaur sculptures and their surrounding landscape, including the Tidal Lakes.
- The creation of a new dinosaur-themed playground.
- Restoration of the Grade II-listed Italian Terraces.
- Restoring the bust of Sir Joseph Paxton, the Victorian designer of the Crystal Palace, and relocating this to the Italian Terraces, to sit proudly in the centre of the park.
- The creation of two new step-free routes from the centre of the park to the top near Crystal Palace Parade.
- A new Visitor Centre to replace the current Information Centre and a new maintenance facility for the grounds team.
- A new feature entrance at Penge Gate.
- Improved footpaths, lighting and wayfinding around the Tidal Lakes and Italian Terraces.
- Introduction of sustainable drainage systems in key areas of the park to improve water management.
- New meadows, paleo-inspired planting and wildlife friendly shrubs, which will help create new habitats.
This phase of works has been made possible by a £5m grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, as well as major donations from the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Wolfson Foundation, London Marathon Foundation, and the Pilgrim Trust. The current phase of works are also supported by £21.8m from the long-anticipated sale of land adjacent to the park for affordable housing.
For more information and the latest updates visit Park Regeneration Updates.