Restoration of the iconic Crystal Palace Park dinosaurs sees careful steam cleaning and repairs underway, as the regeneration plan begins to breathe new life into the historic park.
Having stood proudly in the park since the Victorian era, the impressive dinosaur models are beginning to have their original look revealed, as specialist steam cleaning, careful removal of excess paint and delicate mortaring work visibly shows the effects of restoration works. Scaffolding has also been set up around the larger models on dinosaur island to allow targeted restoration work to their upper sections.
The extensive park-wide regeneration plan is being co-delivered by Bromley Council and Crystal Palace Park Trust, with the support of partners, including a £5m grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The current multi-million-pound phase of works are expected to be complete by Autumn 2026.
Visitors to the park will have noticed restoration work getting underway on the Italian Terraces with scaffolding and heras fencing providing protection during the works to the stone structure where the Crystal Palace once stood. The bust of Sir Joseph Paxton, the Victorian designer of the Crystal Palace, is also being restored during the works and will be relocated to the Italian Terraces, to sit proudly in the centre of the park.
The Grand Centre Walk, the central route through the park, is returning to its original 96 foot width during this phase of the regeneration plan, which will lead from an upgraded Penge Gate entrance past a new Visitor Centre, dinosaur-themed playground and through to the park’s historic sites and beautiful green spaces. Further improvements such as new planting and surfacing are already being delivered, which residents may already have noticed when visiting the park.
Restoration to the dinosaurs is being guided by expert advice, including from Historic England over a number of years. The current restoration of the dinosaurs is being delivered by SSH Conservation, who are part of the team of heritage specialists assembled by Maylim, the Council’s appointed contractor to deliver this phase of the regeneration plan. 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.
Councillor Yvonne Bear, Bromley’s Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, says: “As these legendary beasts start to be seen emerging from their restoration, the impact of this unprecedented period of regeneration will begin to be felt across this historic park. The next chapter will truly be filled with magnificent transformation as we press ahead with our comprehensive regeneration plan. Alongside our partners and guided by Paxton’s original vision, we are ensuring a new future is delivered for Crystal Palace Park that can be enjoyed for generations to come.”
Victoria Pinnington, Chief Executive of Crystal Palace Park Trust, says: “It is a privilege to be the custodian of this historic and much-loved landscape, and we are delighted at the quality of the restoration work being undertaken by the specialist conservators and construction team. We’re lucky to be onsite and see the changes taking place daily and are looking ahead eagerly to reopening fully to visitors in 2026, a milestone year that marks 172 years since the park’s original opening.
Stuart McLeod, Director of England - London and South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “The dinosaurs are a cherished part of Crystal Palace Park and their restoration marks a significant milestone in the transformation of this iconic green space. Thanks to National Lottery players, we’re proud to support this ambitious project, which not only protects these extraordinary Victorian sculptures but also revitalises the wider park for future generations to enjoy.”
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.”
In addition to the £5m grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the current phase of works is supported by £21.8m from the long-anticipated sale of land adjacent to the park for affordable housing.
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 were made custodians of the park under an early phase of the Regeneration Plan and are responsible for the day-to-day management.
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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.
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 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, and Instagram, Facebook.
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Our 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