Crystal Palace Dinosaurs

Overview

We haven’t been to see the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs for nearly three years, and in the meantime, they’ve had a makeover! Read all about them here https://cpdinosaurs.org/.

This is a long-ish ride, with our refreshment stop at the end of the ride, and then a train return on London Overground.

Most of the ride is on quiet back roads and through parks, but we do have some busy roads to navigate in Mitcham, so you need to be confident about riding in traffic. The final 8km/5 miles of the ride are the most challenging, as we climb a series of steep hills up to Crystal Palace.

The Ride

From Ealing, we ride through Richmond Park and down to New Maldon via the Beverley Brook Path and Coombe Hill, then on through Raynes Park and Merton Park, for a short break in Morden Hall Park. Riding on through Mitcham, we reach Norbury, and the challenging climb through West Norwood, across Beulah Hill and on up to Crystal Palace.

We will make our way through Crystal Palace Park, stopping to admire the Sphinx sculptures at the top of the terrace, then riding down to the Lower Lake where the dinosaurs live. We will have a refreshment stop at the café in the Park, https://www.brownandgreencafe.com/brownandgreenlife or bring your own food if you prefer, and then make our way over to Crystal Palace London Overground station.

Travel Arrangements

London Overground services from Crystal Palace run approx. every 15 mins. It is 35 mins to Whitechapel, where we can change onto the Elizabeth Line to Ealing Broadway; or you can take other routes, e.g. to Highbury & Islington.

We would expect to return to Ealing by approx. 4- 4.30pm.

Ride across South London to Crystal Palace Park, train return.

Quieter roads where possible, shared paths through parks, some unsealed paths & uneven/gritty tracks in Crystal Palace Pak, some short sections on busier roads.

Brief pause at Morden Hall Park. Lunch stop in Crystal Palace Park. Walk around lake to view the dinosaurs.

Lock for your bike. Money/card for cafe and card/Oyster for train fare home (London Overground).