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Museums & Landmarks

Crystal Palace Dinosaurs

πŸ“ London, Greater London

β˜…4.5(1,359 Google reviews)πŸ’°FreeπŸ‘ΆAll ages

Around 30 Victorian paleontological sculptures arranged by geological era around tidal lakes in Crystal Palace Park.

βœ“ Free entryβœ“ Historic 1854 sculpturesβœ“ Lakeside walkβœ“ Grade I listedβœ“ Restoration ongoingβœ“ Great for photos
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β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…Featured review by Travis Holland

Historic sculptures set amongst a beautifully designed park.

πŸ† Family Action Verdict

Best for families with children who enjoy history, science and outdoor exploration β€” the lakeside setting and the sheer scale of the sculptures make this a memorable free outing. The 170-year-old statues spark genuine curiosity about Victorian science.

ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go

πŸ’‘Check the Crystal Palace Park website before visiting β€” restoration works have fenced off some sculptures and the main playground during active phases
⏰Audio tours are available and add context to the Victorian-era scientific interpretation
🎟️The Penge entrance has an information centre and cafe
πŸš—Allow 60-90 minutes for a full lakeside circuit past all sculptures

πŸ’¬ What Families Are Saying

View all reviews β†’
4.5
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1,359 Google reviews

Unique historic Victorian sculptures40%
Beautiful lakeside park setting30%
Free and accessible20%
Restoration work limiting some access10%
T

Travis Holland

a month ago

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β€œHistoric sculptures set amongst a beautifully designed park.”

O

Oliver Schofield

6 months ago

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β€œCrystal Palace Park is one of my favourite places to wander about in South-east London, and the dinosaurs still impress me every time. I highly recommend coming down and seeing them, they may not be anatomically in line with what you saw in Jurassic Park, but they're still very cool and a window in to what the Victorian pioneers envisaged these creatures looking like.”

M

Maria Lysenko (My Bucket List At 60)

8 months ago

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β€œIt's a Jurassic heaven. Situated on a lake within Crystal Palace Park there are numerous sculptures of dinosaurs. These life sized sculptures were erected in 1854, well before scientist truly knew what the dinosaurs looked like. Well worth visiting.”

O

Oliver Jefferson

4 months ago

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β€œThese 170-year-old giant sculptures in the park are pure wonder - accurate-ish for 1854, totally charming today. Free, lovely lakeside walk, great for kids & photos. Only minus: some need a little restoration love. Still a quirky London must-see!”

Reviews from Google

Overview

The Crystal Palace Dinosaurs are approximately 30 Grade I listed sculptures commissioned in 1854, predating modern dinosaur anatomy knowledge and reflecting Victorian-era scientific understanding. Species include Iguanodon, Megalosaurus, Hylaeosaurus and Teleosaurus alongside aquatic prehistoric reptiles and mammals. Audio tours and interpretation signage explain the history. An information centre and cafe operate at the Penge entrance.

πŸ• Opening Hours

Monday07:30 – 20:30
Tuesday07:30 – 20:30
Wednesday07:30 – 20:30
Thursday07:30 – 20:30
Friday07:30 – 20:30
Saturday07:30 – 20:30
Sunday07:30 – 20:30

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