Crystal Palace dinosaurs restored: a day out from Carshalton

Published: 2 November 2026

Crystal Palace Park is a wonderful place to visit for a free stroll. It’s one of London’s most fascinating historic parks, with sporting facilities, a boating lake, a city farm, a maze and plenty of beautiful green space.

You can reach it by train or bus, making it a surprisingly straightforward day out from Carshalton. There is also parking available if you prefer to drive.

Labyrinthodon sculpture reflected in the lake at Crystal Palace Park — One of the Labyrinthodon models, mirrored in the lake on a sunny autumn morning © Secret Carshalton

My favourite attraction has to be the famous dinosaurs. Having visited many years ago, I remember them looking rather grey and drab. They really do look absolutely stunning following their recent restoration, with their striking colours bringing them back to life.

Visitors looking at the restored dinosaurs across the lake — Visitors gather by the railings to take in the restored dinosaurs across the lake © Secret Carshalton

Teleosaurus sculpture with a gull perched on its snout — A gull hitches a ride on the snout of a Teleosaurus © Secret Carshalton

First unveiled in 1854, these remarkable sculptures were among the world’s first life-sized models of prehistoric creatures. The information boards take you through each exhibit and explain just how much the Victorians got wrong, as scientific knowledge developed after the models were created.

Restored Iguanodon sculpture among trees at Crystal Palace Park — The Iguanodon, sculpted as a heavy, lizard-like beast, as the Victorians imagined it © Secret Carshalton

Information board comparing 1854 and current reconstructions of Iguanodon — The information boards compare the Victorian idea of Iguanodon with how scientists picture it today © Secret Carshalton

The park itself has plenty of winding and zigzagging paths to explore. One of my favourite spots is the beautiful avenue of trees near the cafe and children’s play areas.

Avenue of trees in autumn colour at Crystal Palace Park — The tree-lined avenue near the cafe and children’s play areas © Secret Carshalton

There is also the fascinating Victorian Crystal Palace Subway, an ornate underground passage originally built to provide first-class railway passengers with access to the Crystal Palace. The building has undergone a major restoration, although visits are currently limited to special open days.

Crystal Palace transmitter against a blue sky — The Crystal Palace transmitter towers over the park © Secret Carshalton

If you’re visiting with children, there’s a small city farm with goats, sheep and other animals.

Goat standing on its hind legs to reach leaves at the city farm — Stretching for a snack at the city farm © Secret Carshalton

You can also head to the boating lake, where pedalos and rowing boats are available during the warmer months.

Pedalos moored on the boating lake at Crystal Palace Park — Pedalos on the boating lake under the autumn trees © Secret Carshalton

With so much to discover, Crystal Palace Park makes for a lovely day out, whether you’re interested in history, wildlife, architecture or simply fancy a change of scenery.

📍Crystal Palace Park, South London