Major works will commence in Crystal Palace Park to begin a historic period for the multi-million-pound regeneration plan, following the appointment of specialist contractors for the works.
This exciting phase of works that gets started over the coming days will see the restoration of the much-loved Crystal Palace Dinosaurs and the iconic Italian Terraces, as well as the creation of a new dinosaur-themed playground, amongst a host of further park improvements. These heritage sites are prominent aspects of the park’s history, which is entwined with the Crystal Palace that was moved to the park following the Great Exhibition and gave the area its name.
The council have appointed the contractor, Maylim, which specialise in public realm and landscaping schemes, to carry out this phase of works. Maylim have assembled a team of heritage specialists to deliver the Crystal Palace Park restoration works, so that the Dinosaurs and Italian Terraces can be enjoyed by generations to come.
The extensive regeneration plan is being co-delivered by Bromley Council and Crystal Palace Park Trust, with the start of works being the latest in a series of important steps to progress the park’s regeneration. This progress includes the long-anticipated sale of land adjacent to the park for affordable housing, which followed the securing of £5m grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support upcoming works.
Expert advice, including from Historic England, will guide various elements of the works, including the careful restoration of the Grade-I listed Dinosaurs and the Italian Terraces, which once led up to the Crystal Palace itself. Detailed plans for this phase of works were developed by a team of specialist consultants led by HTA Design, which received Planning approval last year. The upcoming works are expected to be complete by Autumn 2026 and various park improvements delivered sooner.
Councillor Yvonne Bear, Bromley’s Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, says: “The new future for this park will start to unfold as we begin to breath fresh life into prominent and beloved sites that capture the distinguished history of this incredible park. We have already had many successes for our regeneration plan, including the award-winning restoration of the Subway and establishing the Trust as custodians of the park. Sustained efforts, working with partners over a number of years have led to these upcoming works, as we secure the park’s history for generations to come.”
Victoria Pinnington, Chief Executive of Crystal Palace Park Trust, says: “We can all look forward to a revitalised park, with its much-loved heritage features restored and protected, with better accessibility and improved information about the park’s history. We couldn’t be more pleased that this vital work is about to begin, to deliver all of this and more for our visitors.”
Thomas O’Mahony, Managing Director Maylim says: “We are incredibly proud to have been appointed to deliver this next phase of regeneration works at Crystal Palace Park. As Crystal Palace Park has long been a cornerstone in London’s history of public spaces, it is an honour to contribute to the next chapter of this storied park. Crystal Palace Park's legacy is woven into the fabric of London, and we are committed to delivering a high-quality transformation that respects the past while creating a vibrant space for the future. It is exciting to work alongside the parks dedicated stakeholders with our team of heritage specialists to restore the treasured heritage features as the Dinosaurs and Italian Terraces to safeguard its future.”
Stuart McLeod, Director of England - London and South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “It’s more important than ever to protect the natural heritage on our doorstep so it’s fantastic to see the restoration commence at one of London’s great green spaces. The impact of this project will be felt for generations to come, with better accessibility, new spaces for the community and restored natural and physical heritage. We’re proud to be supporting this once-in-a-generation project thanks to money raised by National Lottery players.”
Key elements of the upcoming works include:
- Restoration of the 30 Grade I-listed Dinosaur sculptures and their surrounding landscape, including the Tidal Lakes.
- Creation of a new dinosaur-themed playground.
- Restoration of the Grade II-listed Italian Terraces.
- 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.
- 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.
The park remains open to all visitors during the works, with necessary information for visitors, including footpath redirection, being provided by Crystal Palace Park Trust, who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the park.
Ends
For media enquiries, please contact James George, Senior Public Affairs Officer, on 020 8313 4565 or email james.george@bromley.gov.uk.
Editors’ notes
This project has been made possible by major grants 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.
About Crystal Palace Park Trust
Crystal Palace Park Trust is the new, community-led custodian of the 200-acre, Grade II* listed historic landscape and its many unique buildings and attractions, in south London. The Trust’s vision is for Crystal Palace Park to be an outstanding park for London. Our mission is to protect, manage and improve Crystal Palace Park as a green, open, historic, ecological, recreational, sporting, cultural and educational resource in the interests of the community and other Park users.
Follow @crystalpalaceparktrust on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
The National Lottery Heritage Fund vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.
Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities.
Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter/X, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLottery #HeritageFund.