DAY OUT TO CRYSTAL PALACE TO SEE THE DINOSAURS !!

Having a day off on Monday 1st July with the aim of going out to visit the area around what is left of The Crystal Palace which sadly was destroyed by fire in 1936. It's only a short train ride away in South London but I've not been other than for football at Selhurst. There are a few things to see and all close by to the station so for today we will jump on a train and have a walk around, it's a location I've wanted to visit for a while mainly to see the Dinosaurs which I recall as a child and must have been here with my late father, but when I mention it to others they think I'm making it up ... yet they have been there for over 150+ years. 

Amongst the things I hope to see;

•  Railway Station design from 1850s.
•  Get up close to the Transmitter Tower.
•  See the Athletics Stadium.
•  Visiting the Park with the Dinosaurs in them !!

BBC TRANSMISSION TOWER

All that Crystal Palace Park is missing now is a palace -- if we don't count the football team and as a Wimbledon fan lets move on from that. Not only is there a beautiful fishing lake, but you can also get lost in a baffling maze and spot the iconic Crystal Palace dinosaurs, over 30 statues sculpted by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins, which have been around for over 160 years. The collection, also known as Dinosaur Court, were classed as Grade II listed buildings from 1973, extensively restored in 2002, and upgraded to Grade I listed in 2007.

NATIONAL SPORTS CENTRE

Heading out fairly early after the morning rush hour, catch the 09:35 from platform 1 at Feltham, arrives Clapham Junction platform 4. Crossing the tracks by bridge to reach platform 15 and catch the stopping service into Crystal Palace. The 18 mile journey taking around about an hour by train. And the Crystal Palace station is a wonderful hub with services running in and out across the six platforms now. In addition the architecture around the location has been kept given it was originally built here for the Palace which was destroyed by fire in the 1930's. Warning for anyone unfit like myself the area is gravel paths but very undulating and will need some decent walking shoes really, plus there are many school trips, dog walkers and cyclists using the paths so keep your eyes open. 

And finally we find the Dinosaurs, placed around various features and a large lake home to plenty of wildlife, if it wasn't for the regular rumble of passing trains this would be an ideal place, but the peace is spoilt by several classes of local school children so didn't spend as long as I wanted too.