Crystal Palace Park - Penge

Description:

This is the largest park in the London Borough of Bromley.  The park was developed originally to incorporate the Crystal Palace itself which was erected in 1854 but was destroyed by fire in 1936.  The site has a number of different facilities but the natural side is grassland and wooded areas over a hilly site.

The park is over 80 hectares and the facilities are split into three main areas, the National Sports Centre, the Dinosaur Area and the Farm.  Interspersed amongst these there is also a cafe, a fully equipped children's playground, a concert stage a maze and toilet facilities. 

The National Sports Centre was built in 1964 and can be found in the centre of the park.  This facility is considered the home of British Athletics and has facilities for the practice of over 100 sports and activities.  The stadium has a capacity of 16,500 but this can be increased to 20,000 for main events.  There is a private, athlete's only hotel on the site which is used by visiting athletes coming to use the facilities.  The site boasts a 50 metre swimming pool, one of only two in London.

The Dinosaur Park is legendary locally and most people who have lived in the area for a while will remember being taken to see the dinosaurs as a child.  The dinosaurs were erected in the 1850's to contrast with the modern technologies being displayed by the Crystal Palace exhibition.  They were the first, large scale replicas of dinosaurs ever built and turned the park into what many believe was the world's first theme park.  Modern day palaeontologists will advise that the anatomical correctness and colours leave a lot to be desired but they are a well loved attraction which Bromley Council recently spent£4million restoring.

The Farm re-opened in 2008 and exists for the local community for anyone wanting to develop their skills with animals.  It provides facilities for local school trips at no charge to the schools themselves.  The Farm is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday from 10:30am - 12pm and 3pm to 4:30pm.  The animals at the farm include: pigs, chinchillas, goats, parakeets, rabbits, guinea pigs, snakes, amphibians and Shetland ponies.