The £5 million grant has now been confirmed to support a wide-ranging programme of improvements in the next phase of the historic park’s regeneration plan. This phase recently received planning approval and works can now commence in spring 2025 thanks to this grant and the generous support of further match funders.

The Heritage Fund grant will particularly support the restoration of the internationally significant Dinosaurs and their landscape, guided by the specialist advice provided by Historic England over a number of years. Home to the iconic Dinosaurs, the Geological Court will be restored and Paxton’s Grand Centre Walk will also be rejuvenated with new planting, reinstated historic views and enhanced biodiversity to help revitalise this beautiful green space.

A brand-new dinosaur themed playground is being created with support from this funding, which is being designed in collaboration with local residents and groups, who provided important feedback earlier this year. The Dinosaur restoration has also been supported by the Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs over a number of years.

Funding for this phase of the regeneration plan has come from a number of sources in addition to the grant awarded from The National Lottery Heritage fund. Thanks are also extended to the Wolfson Foundation, the London Marathon Foundation and the Pilgrim Trust for their generous match funding contributions.

Visitors to the park will also be able to enjoy improved accessibility with reinforced pathways and wayfinding and new lighting in a key pedestrian route, including in these upcoming works. The bust of Joseph Paxton will also be restored, with this being relocated to the centre of the park, just as Paxton’s vision is central to Bromley Council’s regeneration plan for the park.

News of the delivery grant funding follows the recent unveiling of the Grade II* listed Crystal Palace Subway, which saw over 2,200 visitors when it was opened as part of Open House Festival in September 2024 by Crystal Palace Park Trust.

‍Councillor Yvonne Bear, Bromley’s Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, said: “This very welcome funding elevates our vision to regenerate this magnificent 200-acre park to the next level. As we restore the park’s extraordinary history we are, at the same time, creating a sustainable model for its future which boosts the local economy while supporting the wellbeing of local residents enjoying its beautiful spaces.

“The recent reopening of the park’s Victorian subway shows what we can achieve through partnership working, which we will now look to replicate as we turn our attention to heritage like the much-loved dinosaurs. We are enormously grateful to have this support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund as we enter a new chapter in the park’s history.”

‍Crystal Palace Park Trust are the new community-led custodians of the park, who will manage the park’s historic sites following restoration, under a new sustainable business and governance model created as part of the regeneration plan.

‍Victoria Pinnington, Chief Executive Officer, Crystal Palace Park Trust said: “This grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, alongside all the other generous awards from our funding partners, is a major milestone for both the park and the Trust as we celebrate the first anniversary of our custodianship of this incredible historic landscape. We couldn’t be more grateful and thrilled at the vote of confidence it represents in the regeneration plans, which will see some much-loved areas of the park restored and enhanced for future generations to enjoy.

We’re also delighted to be using this funding to launch a major heritage engagement programme that will bring the 170-year story of this park to life for many more people. From 2025, Crystal Palace Park Trust will be able to offer our community a fascinating mix of nature-based, creative and sporting activities alongside a wide range of training, volunteering and employment opportunities. We cannot wait to get started.”

‍Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Crystal Palace Park is one of London’s great green spaces. It’s a wonderful project that demonstrates the breadth of heritage that people value and want to pass on to future generations – from its nature walks, music, sporting and cultural events to the iconic dinosaurs and Paxton Grand Central Walk.  We’re delighted that thanks to money raised by National Lottery players over the last 30 years, we’ve been able to work in partnership with those who care for heritage and create benefits for people, places, and our natural environment.”‍