The Iguanodon models were constructed using a structural frame of brick, iron, and stone, finished with a skin of Portland cement.
Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins held a New Year's Eve dinner inside the mold of an Iguanodon for twenty-one notable guests in 1853.
The sculptures were originally part of a 'Geological Court' designed to educate the public about Earth's deep history.
In 2020, the site was officially placed on the Heritage at Risk Register by Historic England due to the delicate condition of the Victorian concrete.
The sculptures were designed to be viewed from the park's lake shore, intended as a theatrical display of prehistoric life.
These models were unveiled three years before Charles Darwin published 'On the Origin of Species'.
The Crystal Palace Dinosaurs comprise a collection of Grade I listed concrete sculptures commissioned for the 1851 Great Exhibition and unveiled in 1854. Designed by artist Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins with scientific input from Sir Richard Owen, these represent the world's first life-sized dinosaur models. The installation includes models of Megalosaurus, Iguanodon, and Hylaeosaurus, alongside marine reptiles and extinct mammals. The sculptures are situated on the islands of the tidal lake within Crystal Palace Park in London. Because they were created before modern paleontological discoveries, the models reflect mid-19th-century scientific interpretations, depicting dinosaurs as lizard-like creatures. The site is managed by the Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs, a volunteer organization dedicated to conservation. It remains a rare example of Victorian-era paleoart.
The lakeside path offering a direct line of sight to the Megalosaurus model.
Download the digital guide or map from the official Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs website before arriving.
Wear comfortable, water-resistant footwear as the paths surrounding the lake can become muddy.
Bring binoculars for a better view of the sculptures located on the islands.
Do not attempt to access the islands in the lake, as they are restricted zones for both safety and wildlife conservation.
Do not climb on the sculptures or enter the fenced enclosures; adhere to all conservation signage.
