Jurassic Park and chips. (Crystal Palace Park)

Member Name: stickywicket

Product:	Crystal Palace Park
Date:	05/05/01 (304 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Free!, All day event, The chips

Disadvantages: Some parts closed for restoration

We've got Dinosaurs in South London! (No not Croydon local authority members)we've got 30 huge stone dinosaurs situated in nearly 200 acres of parkland, yes in London. Just behind the so-called 'National Sports arena' in Crystal Palace.

These dinosaurs have been there for nearly 170 years, and there is some serious history to their surroundings (links later, you've got to read me now!)

So what goes on at Crystal Palace Park? Right pack your car up, take bikes, scooters, rollerblades whatever, the dog oh.. and the kids, picnic if you want but there are some rather good chips to be had at the Park Cafe.However don't forget stale bread for the hundreds of ducks, and if squirrels are your thing - nuts. Free parking is available -on site - for about 150 - 170 cars, even then many more cars can park on the nearby street, or at the National Stadiums car park again all free.

Once unloaded try and skip the small funfair alongside the car park, its ok, but you seem to spend a small fortune in there instead you may first of all let the wild ones use whatever form of wheels they have chosen race up and down the tree-lined paved tarmaced area running from the car park to the the stadium entrance, there is a slight incline which adds to the 'sport' sounds boring? Trust me gives you at least enough time to enjoy a coffee and a chat on one of the picnic tables lined all the way up the area.

Next well, got to be ducks and dinosaurs I reckon, passing the Guy the Gorilla statue to the lakes, in the summer the pedalo boats are there for hire. Feed the greedy Canadian geese, and hope the pigeons don't muscle in.
As you walk round the lakes you'll see these dinosaurs, they are big and badly in need of the current restoration taking place, the children love them.

The walk around involves a few slopes and muddy declines that the children are drawn to, with clambering rocks and logs involved, those th
at prefer the mud free zone can stick to the path. Loads of fisherman to be seen too (a sport that I really can't relate too..)

There are some extremely tame squirrels around and if the dog doesn't chase them off they'll feed from your hand.

Eventually you will have walked a complete circle, but you've only done half of it. I suggest the chips are beckoning, the cafe is resonably priced with seating inside and out.

If this is the summer season there will probably be a Punch and Judy show going on, or a small train ride for the under 8's all at a price of course. There is a good, enclosed childrens play are with the usual roundabouts (they scare me) tyres,swings climbing frames etc.

You have yet to discover the maze - only worth a summer visit due to lack of folage so you can't cheat - , the bowl used for summer music events and looking very neglected in the winter and of course the historic remains of the burnt down Crystal Palace.

All this is situated in endless open areas, for picnicing, jumpers for goalpost games of football, and huge shady trees.

What I haven't told you is the bad news. At present the dinosaurs are not accessible due to the restoration program, which also means the some of the lakes are a no go zone too. Becuse of this the park train has stopped, it used to give you a full tour for 50p, lasting around 30 minutes. The childrens farm has been demolished and I assume is being rebuilt as it wasn't particularly pram friendly but it was another excellent attraction with goats wandering and nosing in your bag, beautiful doe-eyed cows, snorty smelly pigs and the cute pet area.

Rumour has it all the work on the park area will take at least another year and I'm not sure which areas will be closed. Check these websites for full info:

Dinosaur info:
http://www.redrival.com/nyder/dinos.html

Historical info:
http://www.korkyt.net/Pages
/oldpages/crystal2.html

http://www.victorianstation.com/palace.html

Local info:
http://www.virtual-norwood.com/links/cppark.ht m

I'm telling you those chips are worth the trip!

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