When the sun in shining, I like taking the family to Crystal Palace Park – a vast open space that is not nearly as well known as the other Royal parks in London but is just as worthy of a visit. My son loves to look at the huge sculptures of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures which were unveiled in 1854 when the Great Exhibition moved here from Hyde Park. What’s interesting about the sculptures is that they are actually largely inaccurate due to the lack of knowledge of at the time. The 15 beasts are dotted around an island on the boating lake at the south end of the park.
The enormous glass structure which gave ‘Crystal Palace’ its name was destroyed by fire in 1936, but you can still see its foundations today. There's also a maze and skate park to enjoy.
The park is easily accessible from Crystal Palace station and it’s worth combining with a visit to nearby Crystal Palace ‘village’, which is known for its quirky antique shops, pubs and restaurants.
Find your way with 222 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
The gardens and pergola are open to the public and are a great spot for a walk or a peaceful afternoon with a good book in hand while lying on the grass.
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The people of Bonnington Square really know how to foster a vibe with leafy exotic plants spraying scattered shadows as you sit and eat...
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From focaccia to pasta, coffee to cake, this one-stop shop is as much a place to buy your brew and bread as it is to have a lunchtime bite of pasta...
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Birds sing while trains rumble along atop the parallel railway arches, old men play boule in the shade and planes skim overhead on approach to Heathrow.
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Of all the reasons why you have to check out this idyllic boozer, perhaps the most important is that this is the home of the finest scotch egg in London.
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From the run-down chic aesthetic to the strong beer selection and excellent pub garden, there are no chinks in the Dog House's armour...
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Inside, the bar is a welcoming, tightly-packed vibe with old-fashioned, old-world decor with gorgeous bare wood surfaces & countless pictures on the walls.
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The unassuming, retro signage outside amidst the noise & din of Waterloo might pull you in, but what makes you stay is the genuine town tavern feel inside.
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With a rustic French feel, Pierre offers dishes with rich red-wine sauces and tasty meats from much of the spectrum of the French culinary roster.
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With old-fashioned vintage Guinness branding adoring just about every surface, this is the ideal spot to take a moment and enjoy a perfectly-poured pint.
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Built back in 2010 on the site of a disused railway line, it’s a local secret: a quiet, forest-like space to retreat to when city life becomes overwhelming.
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Inside, the rooms have distinctly different decorative styles. This is to give an idea of how the house would have looked at each stage in its history.
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222 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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