8 REASONS WHY I WANT TO TRANSMIT THE BEST OF CRYSTAL PALACE, SE-LDN
1 .IT HAS SOUTH LONDON’S EIFFEL TOWER
The Crystal Palace transmitter beams TV images to 12 MILLION across London and the South East — and at 719-ft high is the fifth-tallest structure in the capital.
On a clear day, you can even spot our famous landmark from Alexandra Palace in Northest London.
I mean, who needs Paris when the SE19 skyline has this???
2. IT HAS A PALACE…
Ok, ok; the remains of one.
Originally the Crystal Palace was a cast-iron and plate-glass structure built in Hyde Park to hold the Great Exhibition of 1851 — and was three times the size of St Paul’s Cathedral.
After the exhibition it was moved to an affluent South London suburb then known as Penge Common where it remained until destroyed by fire in 1936.
The park and residential area near when it once stood were later renamed in the palace’s honour.
In 2013 Chinese property billionaire Ni Zhaoxing struck a deal with Bromley council to re-build it and while plans were later cancelled he recently revealed: “I still want to rebuild the Crystal Palace…”
Regardless of whether we’ll ever see a reincarnation, you can still spot striking remains of the palace in its Grade II-listed sphinx statues which continue to stand on the old grand terrace.
In 2016 the sphinxes even got a paint job to restore them to their original, Terracotta colour.
*Thanks Bromley Council*
3. IT HAS DINOSAURS
Seriously, how many other London (make that world) neighbourhoods can boast of having DINOSAURS?
Crystal Palace has 30.
Around 1854 natural history artist Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins created an incredible collection of models depicting the prehistoric animals — which was the first attempt to recreate dinosaurs as full-scale, three-dimensional creatures anywhere in the world.
Posed in action on Crystal Palace park’s lake islands and peeking out of its wooded pathways, in Victorian times the Crystal Palace dinos became such a big attraction that even Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited several times.
These days they are listed as Grade I monuments — and are still a famous attraction as well as a firm fixture of the CP community.
4. IT HAS AN EPIC PARK
Iconic landmark? CHECK.
Historical ruins? CHECK.
Dinosaurs? CHECK.
And that’s not to mention Crystal Palace park’s:
VERY OWN MAZE.
A NATIONAL SPORTS CENTRE — AND FAMOUS ATHLETICS STADIUM.
LOVELY LAKE.
KICK-ASS PLAYGROUND — COMPLETE WITH DINO BONES IN THE SANDPIT.
I could go on, but it wouldn’t be fair to the other parks…
5. IT HAS A ‘TRIANGLE’ OF TREATS
Most areas have one high street.
Crystal Palace has THREE.
Westow Hill, Westow Street and Church Road meet to form a never-ending ‘Triangle’ of brilliant pubs such as Westow House and The Alma, lovely independent shops like cute and quirky gift store Brave Girl, ethical fashion boutique Lowie and artisan beer seller Craft Palace — and don’t even get us started on the FOOD.
There’s cocktails and cake at Brown and Green cafe, sourdough wood-fired pizza at Hour Hundred Rabbits and glorious dining at local institution Joanna’s.
And that’s not to mention our award-winning weekly food market — worth visiting for baked goods gods Brett & Bailey alone.
6. IT IS A GREAT PLACE TO HAVE KIDS
Dinosaurs. TICK.
Epic, all singing-all-dancing park. TICK.
And that’s not to mention our amazing range of local baby, toddler and kid classes.
From regular rhyme times at 100-year-old (and recently restored) Upper Norwood Library Hub to Bollywood dancing at new children’s cafe on the block Dream Catcher, we’ve got a range of activities which would make Disney World blush.
But none of that compares to the fact that, in Crystal Palace, KIDS ARE WELCOME.
You’ll struggle to find a cafe, restaurant or even pub which doesn’t come equipped with highchairs and children’s portions – Four Hundred Rabbits gets a big fist bump for offering half-sized/priced pies for the kids while mum and dad remember what it was like to go to trendy eateries before them.
And nobody bats an eye if you have a small person in tow.
Not even the friendly bar staff and hardy locals Beer Rebellion on Gipsy Hill — who once warmly welcomed me and my then 13-month-old in for a pint.
7. IT HAS GREAT VIEWS
At 110m above sea level Crystal Palace is one of the very highest points in the capital.
And with great height comes GREAT views.
Seriously, Central London (a mere 8 miles and a 20-minute train/Overground journey should you ever need leave SE19) has never looked so good.
I’ll shut up now — and just let these pictures do the talking.
8. IT IS A COMMUNITY
But above all, the best thing about Crystal Palace is it IS a community.
And while it might sound trite, it’s true.
From the victorious local campaign to save the historical cinema building on Church Road — which previously fought to ensure it was used by a church rather than demolished and has now seen it set to be restored by Everyman Cinema — to the new community-led initiative to bring permanent theatre to the neighbourhood, Crystal Palace is FILLED with people who deeply care about our corner of South East London.
And seriously, with all THIS…
…who can blame us???
Are you a Crystal Palace local, business or venture with news, offers or events you want shared across SE19 — or just fancy a CP-related chat? Then drop me a line at: heypalacesocial@gmail.com
