Crystal
Palace Park
Information
Opening times:
The park opens at 7.30 a.m every day. For further information
www.bromley.gov.uk/parksopeningtimes
The Cafe opens at 9am with seasonal closing times
Welcome to Crystal Palace Park
Crystal Palace Park is a 200 acre (80 hectares)
English Heritage Grade II* registered park which
was once home to Sir Joseph Paxton’s Crystal
Palace – the structure that was adapted from the
Great Exhibition in Hyde Park,1851.
The park is located in south London within the boundary of
the London Borough of Bromley and alongside the London
boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham and Croydon. It
is Bromley’s largest park with a rich and unique history and is
recognised for its local, regional and national importance due to
its historic significance.
Set out to surpass Versailles with its spectacular water features,
the site was designed to impress, educate, entertain and inspire
and was an international attraction. Today the park consists of
the open site of the former Crystal Palace, the Grand Terraces
and central axis, statues of prehistoric monsters, geological
strata, open parkland and pathways, sport and recreation
facilities, an animal farm, playground, maze and café.
The park has been subject to substantial and frequent changes
throughout its history, including the building of the National
Sports Centre (NSC) and Athletics Stadium in the 1960s. In
1986, the London Borough of Bromley took over the ownership,
management and maintenance of the majority of the park.
Park Ranger office tel: 020 3236 0078
Travel Information:
Local Buses: 3, 122, 157, 202, 227, 249, 322, 363, 358, 410,
417, 432, 450
Trains:
Crystal Palace mainline station with trains to and from Victoria
and London Bridge
5 mins walk from Penge West with trains to and from West
Croydon and Highbury & Islington
10 mins walk from Penge East with trains to and from Victoria
Contacts
UÊ For further information on the history of the site and current
events www.bromley.gov.uk
UÊ Crystal Palace Museum information
www.crystalpalacemuseum.org.uk
UÊ Friends of Crystal Palace Park
focpp.blogspot.com
UÊ ÀÞÃÌ>Ê*>>ViÊ >̈œ˜>Ê-«œÀÌÃÊ
i˜ÌÀiÊ­ -
®
Ledrington Road, London SE19 2BB
www.gll.org/centre/crystal-palace-national-sports-centre.asp
UÊ Capel Manor College Farm
www.crystalpalaceparkfarm.co.uk
UÊ Capel Manor College
www.capel.ac.uk/crystalpalace
© Photography by David Griffiths except images 6 &12
392.11 U Design Studio, Civic Centre, Stockwell Close Bromley BR1 3UH
From Forest Hil
Points of interest
2
From West Dulwich
Fountain Drive
Westwood Hill
3
Cry
sta
l
Ca
r
Clu avan
b
1
This map is an illustrated guide ONLY.
© Crown copyright and database rights 2012.
Ordnance Survey 100017661.
Westwood Gate
Rockhills Gate
Pedestrian
entrance
Pa
lac
eP
ark
Ro
ad
51 Fisherman’s Gate
lace
sta
l Pa
stal
he
Cry
Cry
of t
Site
Ten
n
inal
17
is C
ourt
7
s
2
4
P
8
P
15
An
erl
BUS
ey
Hi
ll
157, 249, 358,
Can
ada
410, 432
Ga
te
Sta
tion
9
e
yd
le
ad
e
Pa
1
11
12
13
2
3
4
Prehistoric monsters (Dinosaurs)
31, Grade 1 listed prehistoric
creatures roaming among the trees
and lake. For audio trail visit
www.audiotrails.co.uk/dinosaurs
Royal Naval Volunteer
Reserve Trophy
Commemorating the officers and
men in the Great War.
The Athletic Stadium
Host to international athletics meets,
and football and rugby matches.
National Sports Centre
A unique London venue, and Grade
II* listed building with Olympic Pool,
steeped in sporting tradition.
5
6
7
8
9
Ro
d
Roa
c
la
rley
P
e
P
Pa
ra
nt
l
10
ham
Syden
227,176, 197
Penge Entrance
From Penge
19
6
18
OVERGROUND
Ane
9
Road
entr
BUS
te
Ci
e
nu
rs C
Ga
16
ve
lA
From
Visit
o
3
rk
Ch
ur
ch
Ro
ad
ill
wH
to
Wes
e Park
Lawri
12
From Streatham
From Croydon
lub
ck C
’Clo
eO
Term
oad
Sydenham
or Lodge Gate
P
On
Bus
ar R
10
Road
Park
quh
8
alace
tal P
Crys
BUS
Far
Sy
ce P
13
11
7
de
nh
am
BB
arad
14
Pala
5
3, 122, 157, 202, 227,
322, 363, 358, 410,
417, 450
6
5
e
Toilets
4
Av
en
ue
Parking
Tra C
nsm
it
P
ter
Café (9am-5pm)
1
R
et
ick
Th
Crystal Palace
Station
d
oa
Penge West Station
5mins walk
Penge East Rail Station
10mins walk
BUS
Anerley Gate
157, 249, 358,
410, 432
Concert Bowl
Stage design by Ian Ritchie
Architects.
Capel Manor College and
Children’s Farm
Opening times 12noon - 4pm.
Closed on Wednesdays
Joseph Paxton’s Bust
(Grade II listed)
The Terraces
Grade II listed. Originally an
impressive setting for the Palace.
The Grand Central Walk
Originally linked to the Palace
building.
10
11
12
13
14
The Maze
Replanted in 1987 to the original layout
and upgraded in 2009 to mark the Girl
Guiding UK’s centenary.
Subway (Organised visits only)
Grade II remains of original first class
High Level Station Entrance.
Children’s play area
A safe enclosure for children to play.
The Vale (The site of previous house
and garden)
An area of woodland with some of
the oldest trees in the park.
Fishing lake (Private)
Originally the intermediate reservoir
for Paxton’s grand system of
waterworks and now a private
fishing lake
15
16
17
18
19
Crystal Palace Museum
Open at weekends. Winter opening
11.00am - 3.00 pm, summer
opening 11.00am- 4.00pm
Crystal Palace Railway Station
Original station for accessing the
park.
Central Steps
Impressive steps originally leading
to the Palace.
Geological Strata
Display of rock strata, formations
and waterfalls.
Lower Lake
Originally the lower reservoir
for Paxton’s grand system of
waterworks.