Following the park’s multi-million-pound regeneration, the historic Italian Terraces have been removed from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register.
The Italian Terraces once led up to the famous Crystal Palace. Now, almost exactly 90 years after the Palace burned down, the restoration and protection of this grand, iconic landmark has been confirmed with its removal from the Heritage at Risk Register.
This news follows the announcement in July of the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs’ removal from the Heritage at Risk Register following their restoration.
The removal of the Grade II Italian Terraces from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register is the latest success story to emerge from the regeneration project which began in 2025, and which has delivered extensive transformation throughout the park. It is the largest regeneration programme in the park since the Crystal Palace was destroyed in 1936.
The work to the Terraces has included:
- Restoration of the stonework.
- Improved drainage to prevent pooling of water and flooding.
- Increased planting and wildflower meadows to increase biodiversity.
- Improved access through the addition of two step-free routes, the reinstatement of staircases, and releveling of the ground.
- The relocation of the bust of Sir Joseph Paxton, founder of the Crystal Palace and the park, back to its original location.
- New seating, lighting and additional power sources.
Following the restoration works completed this summer, the finishing touches are currently being applied to the terraces, including the seeding of grass and flowers, to be ready for the park to flourish again this spring.
The regeneration works, co-delivered by Bromley Council and Crystal Palace Park Trust, are a critical step in developing the Grade II* park’s status as a globally significant cultural and heritage visitor attraction. Its varied green spaces continue to be loved by communities in Bromley and the four other surrounding South London boroughs.
In keeping with Joseph Paxton’s original vision for the park as a cultural destination, the Italian Terraces have recently become well-known for hosting large-scale live music during the summer. This year 100,000 people attended festivals on the Terraces, with performances from Alanis Morisette, Snow Patrol, and Two Door Cinema Club amongst others. The income this generates is a critical component of Crystal Palace Park Trust’s new financial and governance model, enabling the long-term care of this cherished green space and its internationally significant heritage assets.
Alongside the restoration of the Italian Terraces, the project has delivered:
- The restoration of the internationally renowned Grade I Crystal Palace Dinosaurs.
- The creation of a new, destination Dinosaur Playground.
- A new Visitor Centre housing a permanent exhibition bringing to life all 170 years of history in the park.
- The restoration of the Grand Centre Walk, one of the defining aspects of the park’s original landscape design.
- Improved footpaths, lighting and wayfinding around the Tidal Lakes and Italian Terraces.
- The introduction of sustainable drainage systems in key areas of the park to improve water management.
- Extensive planting to increase biodiversity and improve habitats for wildlife including birds and bats.
- A new grounds maintenance depot.
The works have been completed by landscape contractor Maylim and conservation specialists SSH Conservation, in collaboration with HTA Design as the landscape architect and lead consultant of a large multidisciplinary team of specialists. Expert advice from Historic England was vital to informing the restoration.
The £22m regeneration works, of which the Italian Terraces were one part, were funded by Bromley Council’s sale of land adjacent to the park for affordable housing and a £5m grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players. Further match funding was also received from the Garfield Weston Foundation, London Marathon Foundation, the Wolfson Foundation and Pilgrim Trust.
Councillor Yvonne Bear, Bromley’s Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, said: “This is another huge milestone in our regeneration plan for this historic park, following the major restoration works we completed this summer. The close partnership working we have pursued over many years has secured this park for generation to come, protecting its incredible heritage and setting up its custodians Crystal Palace Park Trust to lead the park to a bright new future.”
Victoria Pinnington, CEO of Crystal Palace Park Trust, said: “It is a glowing tribute to the extraordinary work of the whole regeneration team that Historic England have seen fit to remove both the Dinosaurs and the Italian Terraces from the Heritage at Risk Register. This project was all about securing this beloved landscape and its landmarks for the future, so that we can move forward with our commitment to restoring the park as a welcoming visitor destination and site of global historical significance.”
Hannah Parham, Head of Places Regeneration at Historic England, said:
"The Italian Terraces are magnificent! The removal of the Terraces from the Heritage at Risk Register is a fantastic achievement that's testament to years of dedication by Bromley Council and Crystal Palace Park Trust. From the restored Dinosaurs to the new play area and visitor centre, it's been wonderful to witness the revitalised Park be enjoyed by so many people over the summer - long may it continue."
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For media enquiries, please contact:
James George, Senior Public Affairs Officer, on 020 8313 4565 or email james.george@bromley.gov.uk
Alex Milward, Head of Audiences and Communications, on 07785 735 743 or alex.milward@crystalpalaceparktrust.org
Editors notes
About Crystal Palace Park Trust
Crystal Palace Park Trust is a registered charity. As the park’s custodians, we are dedicated to caring for this special and historic landscape, as well as offering a warm welcome to over one million visitors every year. We also provide a vibrant, year-round public programme, inspired by Sir Joseph Paxton’s founding vision for the park as a place of wonder, fun, inspiration and awe.
Follow @crystalpalaceparktrust on LinkedIn, and Instagram, Facebook.
About Historic England
We are Historic England, the public body that protects and brings life to the heritage that matters to us all, so it lives on and is loved for longer. From the extraordinary to the everyday, our historic places and spaces matter. From community centres to cathedrals, homes to high streets, markets to mills – there are special places we all choose to hold onto, the legacy we want to pass on and the stories we continue to tell. That’s why we work together with people across England to discover, protect and bring new life to our shared historic environment, providing advice, knowledge, support and services. Follow us on social media @HistoricEngland.