Our park boasts a rich history that stretches back across 170 years, since the Crystal Palace first opened its doors to the public in its new location in 1854. During this time, the park has been a stage for countless stories, many of which involve historical firsts from remarkable women who have left their mark on its grounds and far beyond. To mark International Women’s Day (8 March), we celebrate some of these female pioneers:

Mary Anning: Dinosaur Discoverer

Long before the park’s iconic dinosaur sculptures were unveiled in 1854, Mary Anning, a self-taught fossil hunter from Lyme Regis, was making groundbreaking discoveries on the Jurassic Coast. Her remarkable finds, including the first complete ichthyosaur skeleton - found when she was just 12 - played a pivotal role in shaping our understanding of prehistoric life.

Her discoveries of both ichthyosaur and plesiosaur fossils formed the blueprint for Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins’ sculptures that continue to delight visitors to the park today.

Despite facing societal limitations due to her gender and social class, Anning’s relentless passion and keen eye made a huge impact, and she continues to inspire palaeontologists today.

The Birth of the Girlguiding Movement

In 1909, a pivotal moment unfolded at Crystal Palace Park. During a Boy Scout rally, a group of determined girls, undeterred by the lack of an official programme for them, approached Lord Baden-Powell, requesting ‘something for the girls’. This bold act inspired Baden-Powell, alongside his sister Agnes, to establish the Girl Guides. Within its first year, 6,000 girls had registered to join, and the movement continues to empower girls and young women globally.

Today, the park’s historic maze stands as a testament to this legacy. It was completely refurbished in 2009/10 to commemorate Girlguiding’s Centenary celebrations, with interactive artwork designed by artists Brook & Black (Leora Brook and Tiffany Black). The maze contains brass plaques, engraved stone monoliths and a central paved circle which serves as a map of the maze as well featuring an engraved Girl Guiding trefoil emblem.

‍Fanny Wilkinson: Horticultural Heroine

A true trailblazer in the field of horticulture, Fanny Wilkinson defied societal norms to become Britain’s first professional female landscape gardener. Although domestic gardening was a well-established pursuit for women in the 1880s, professional training was dominated by men.

She was the first woman to enrol and complete an 18-month course at the prestigious Crystal Palace School of Landscape Gardening and Practical Horticulture in 1883. Wilkinson then went on to design and develop over 75 parks and greenspaces in London, including Myatt’s Fields in Camberwell and Vauxhall Park, leaving an enduring legacy on the city’s landscape.

In an interview in 1890, Fanny said:

"I certainly do not let myself be underpaid as many women do… I know my profession and charge accordingly, as all women should do."

Bridget Driscoll: A Sombre Legacy of Road Safety

In 1896, Bridget Driscoll, of Croydon, was walking with her daughter in Crystal Palace Park when she tragically became the world’s first pedestrian motoring fatality. This unfortunate incident highlighted the need for stricter regulations and safer practices in the burgeoning world of automobiles.

‍Female Racing Car Drivers: Tearing up the Track

Crystal Palace Park’s historic racetrack, which flourished from the 1930s to the 1970s, once roared with the engines of women who not only showcased their exceptional driving skills but also challenged the status quo.

The 1930s interwar period saw a boom in female motor racing. Marjorie Eccles was the first female racing driver to compete at the new course on 7 July 1937. Many other prominent racers of the day also competed at Crystal Palace racetrack, including Kay Petre, Jill Scott-Thomas, Yvonne Morel, ‘Mrs Lace’, Dorothy Patten, Lady Mary Grosvenor and Phoebe Elizabeth McQueen who won the Ladies’ Cup race (part of the London Grand Prix) at Crystal Palace in 1938.

The 1960s also saw a revival in female motor racing, with the mini being a particularly popular vehicle at that time. Prominent figures at Crystal Palace during this time included Christabel Carlisle, Michelle Burns-Greig, Liz Jones and Anita Taylor.

These inspiring women carved their own paths in a historically male dominated sport, paving the way for future generations of female racing drivers.

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These are just a few of the many remarkable women who have contributed to the rich tapestry of Crystal Palace Park’s history. Crystal Palace Park Trust is determined to keep this history alive, alongside preserving and maintaining the parks many assets for its present day users. As a registered charity, any support we receive that enable us to do this is invaluable. Thank you.

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