Crystal Palace Dinosaurs — Attraction in London

The Crystal Palace Dinosaurs – A Prehistoric Treasure in South London

Tucked away in the lush surroundings of Crystal Palace Park, the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs are one of London’s most eccentric and delightful historical curiosities. More than just a collection of sculptures, they are a time capsule from the Victorian era – the world’s first attempt to bring prehistoric creatures to life in three dimensions.

Created in the early 1850s by sculptor Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins under the scientific guidance of Sir Richard Owen, these life-sized models were groundbreaking in their day. While modern palaeontology has since rewritten much of what we know about dinosaurs, the Crystal Palace creatures remain a testament to 19th-century scientific ambition and imagination.

The sculptures themselves are charmingly anachronistic. Some, like the Iguanodon, appear oddly squat and toad-like by today’s standards – but that’s half the fun. Rather than detract from the experience, their inaccuracy adds to the magic, offering visitors a glimpse into how the Victorians viewed the distant past. The Megalosaurus and the fearsome-looking Plesiosaurs still make a striking impression, especially when glimpsed through the foliage beside the lake.

The setting enhances the experience. The dinosaurs are scattered throughout a peaceful and beautifully landscaped section of the park, which encourages exploration and a touch of adventure. Informative signage gives helpful context without overwhelming casual visitors, and recent conservation efforts have ensured the sculptures are looking better than they have in years.

It’s a perfect outing for families, history buffs, and anyone with a love of quirky heritage. Children are naturally enchanted, while adults will find themselves swept up in the story behind these creatures – a blend of science, art, and Victorian eccentricity.

Verdict: The Crystal Palace Dinosaurs are a rare and wonderful piece of London’s history. They may not roar, move, or be scientifically up to date, but they ignite the imagination in a way few modern attractions can. A must-see for lovers of history, science, and...

Wondrous beasts for all to see. These are some huge and fascinating Victorian-era dinosaur replicas, undergoing continued restoration. They were unveiled to the public in 1854 to accompany the move of the 'Crystal Palace' itself from the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park, and are in themselves now Grade I listed buildings. But these are fascinating relics reconstructed based on a few bones, and more imagination than evidence; featuring intriguing errors like the Iguanodon lounging like a giant iguana and his thumb spike placed on the tip of his nose instead.

If visiting, particularly with children, I strongly recommend getting off at Penge West, turn right then left up under the railway bridge, enter the park and up the rise to the left, and work your way around the top of the lake from the Eastern end. That way you'll see the more modern beasts (giant stag, sloth etc.) first and work up to the more spectacular views at the far end. That and there are more trains back into the City from Penge West, as you can use a travelcard on Southern Rail services within the...

We went ,it was freezing but grandson loved it! Once we found the trail to see the dinosaurs it was all systems go! There are regular signs identifying the types that you will see. A bit disappointing that they are so far away, however the local wildlife (mostly birds & squirrels) made up for it. The water was frozen over so we got to see so many different birds. Didn't have time to go to the cafe as we spent over an hour walking around the lakes. The gorilla was an absolute hit! I did see what looked like a good playground but ,again, it was too cold to go there after walking round the dinosaurs trail. Thoroughly recommend this park and will definitely return when the...