View source for Crystal Palace, London

{{about|the district of London|the building in London it was named after|The Crystal Palace|other uses|Crystal Palace (disambiguation)}}
{{short description|Residential area in London, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2013}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name = Crystal Palace
| os_grid_reference = TQ341708
| london_borough = Croydon
| london_borough1 = Bromley
| london_borough2 = Lewisham
| london_borough3 = Lambeth
| london_borough4 = Southwark
| map_type = Greater London
| coordinates = {{coord|51.4203|-0.0705|display=inline,title}}
| population = 12,255
| population_ref = (2011 Census. Bromley Ward)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=13688623&c=Crystal+Palace&d=14&e=62&g=6320827&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&o=362&m=0&r=1&s=1476114579873&enc=1|title=Bromley Ward population 2011|access-date=10 October 2016|publisher=Office for National Statistics|work=Neighbourhood Statistics|archive-date=21 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021055949/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=13688623&c=Crystal+Palace&d=14&e=62&g=6320827&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&o=362&m=0&r=1&s=1476114579873&enc=1|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| constituency_westminster = [[Streatham and Croydon North (UK Parliament constituency)|Streatham and Croydon North]]
| constituency_westminster1 = [[Dulwich and West Norwood (UK Parliament constituency)|Dulwich and West Norwood]]
| constituency_westminster2 = [[Lewisham West and Penge (UK Parliament constituency)|Lewisham West and Penge]]
| region = London
| country = England
| post_town = LONDON
| dial_code = 020
| postcode_area = SE
| postcode_district = SE19, SE20, SE26
| static_image_name = Upper Norwood Town Centre - 1.jpg
| static_image_alt = Photo showing road junction at the end of Crystal Palace Parade.
| static_image_caption = View of Crystal Palace from the park. Four London boroughs—Bromley, Croydon, Lambeth, and Southwark—meet at this junction.
}}

'''Crystal Palace''' is an area in [[South London]], named after [[the Crystal Palace]] Exhibition building which stood in the area from 1854, until it was destroyed by a fire in 1936.<ref>Mills, Anthony David (2001). ''Dictionary of London Place Names''. [[Oxford University Press]]. {{ISBN|0-19-280106-6}}</ref> About {{convert|7|miles|km}} southeast of [[Charing Cross]], it includes one of the [[List of highest points in London|highest points in London]], at {{convert|367|ft}},<ref name=OSHeight>{{Cite map |title= Spot Height in feet, TQ337707 |author= Ordnance Survey |publisher= Ordnance Survey |year= 1862}}</ref> offering views over the capital.

The area has no defined boundaries and straddles five London boroughs and three [[London postal district|postal districts]], although there is a [[Crystal Palace (ward)|Crystal Palace]] electoral ward and [[Crystal Palace Park]] in the [[London Borough of Bromley]]. It forms a part of the greater area known as [[Upper Norwood]], and is contiguous with the areas of [[Anerley]], [[Dulwich Wood]], [[Gipsy Hill]], [[Penge]], [[South Norwood]] and [[Sydenham, London|Sydenham]]. The area is represented by four [[Parliamentary constituencies of the UK parliament|parliamentary constituencies]], four [[London Assembly constituencies]] and fourteen local [[Councillors#United Kingdom|councillors]].

Until development began in the 19th century, and before the arrival of the Crystal Palace, the area was known as [[Sydenham Hill]]. The [[Norwood Ridge]] and an historic oak tree were used to mark parish boundaries. After the Crystal Palace burned down in 1936, the site of the building and its grounds became Crystal Palace Park, the location of the [[Crystal Palace National Sports Centre|National Sports Centre]] which contains an athletics track, stadium and other sports facilities. Crystal Palace Park has also been used as the setting for a number of concerts and films, such as ''[[The Italian Job]]'' and ''[[The Pleasure Garden (1952 film)|The Pleasure Garden]]'' and contains the [[Crystal Palace Park Concert Platform]], in place since 1997. Two television transmitter [[Crystal Palace transmitting station|masts]] make the district a landmark location, visible from many parts of Greater London. Local landmarks include the Crystal Palace Triangle, a shopping district made up of three streets forming a triangle; Westow Park, a smaller park that lies off the triangle southwest of Crystal Palace Park; and the Stambourne Woodland Walk.

Crystal Palace was named in the ''[[Sunday Times]]'' newspaper's top ten list of "the best places to live in London" of 2016.<ref name=Standard>{{cite web|title=Best places to live in London|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/best-places-to-live-in-london-vauxhall-bermondsey-and-crystal-palace-make-prestigious-list-a3207686.html|work=Evening Standard|date=21 March 2016 |access-date=29 August 2016}}</ref> In April 2022 Crystal Palace was named the best place to live in London by the ''Sunday Times'',<ref name=Times>{{cite news|title=Crystal Palace named best place to live in London 2022 list|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/crystal-palace-london-best-place-to-live-uk-pp7pxvcmc|work=Sunday Times|access-date=8 April 2022|last1=Davis |first1=Matthew }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/south-london-news/londoner-reveals-best-place-live-24209816 | title=Londoners split over Crystal Palace and whether it's great or 'dead' | date=13 June 2022 }}</ref> being characterised by a bohemian fusion of urban vibes and village-feel.

{{TOC limit|2}}

==History==

The ridge and the historic [[oak]] tree known as the Vicar's Oak (at the [[Crossroads (culture)|crossroads]] of the [[A212 road|A212]] Church Road and [[A214 road|A214]] Westow Hill) were used to mark parish boundaries.<ref name="BritHistNorwood">{{cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=49779 |title=Norwood: Introduction |editor-first=FHW |editor-last=Sheppard |publisher=Institute of Historical Research |year=1956 |work=Survey of London: volume 26: Lambeth: Southern area |access-date=3 July 2013 }}</ref> This has led to the Crystal Palace area straddling the boundaries of five London Boroughs; [[London Borough of Bromley|Bromley]], [[London Borough of Croydon|Croydon]], [[London Borough of Lambeth|Lambeth]],<ref name="croydonAdTriangleThree">{{cite news|last=Hughes|first=Pete|title=Crystal Palace Triangle: How life in the three London boroughs compares.|url=http://www.thisiscroydontoday.co.uk/Crystal-Palace-Triangle-life-London-boroughs/story-16209156-detail/story.html#axzz2Uh7VwrPj|access-date=29 May 2013|newspaper=Croydon Advertiser|date=28 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127030352/http://www.thisiscroydontoday.co.uk/Crystal-Palace-Triangle-life-London-boroughs/story-16209156-detail/story.html#axzz2Uh7VwrPj|archive-date=27 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[London Borough of Southwark|Southwark]] and [[London Borough of Lewisham|Lewisham]]. The area also straddles three [[UK postcodes|postcode districts]]: {{postcode|SE|19}}, {{postcode|SE|20}}, and {{postcode|SE|26}}. The ancient boundary between [[Surrey]] and [[Kent]] passes through the area, and until 1889 included parts of both counties. From 1889 to 1965 the area was on the south-eastern boundary of the [[County of London]].<ref name=CroydonUpperNorwoodConsArea>{{cite web |url= http://www.croydon.gov.uk/contents/departments/democracy/pdf/949725/caamps/upper-norwood-triangle.pdf |title=Upper Norwood Triangle Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan |publisher=Croydon Borough Council |access-date=9 September 2013 |page=12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205184738/http://www.croydon.gov.uk/contents/departments/democracy/pdf/949725/caamps/upper-norwood-triangle.pdf |archive-date=5 December 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite map|title=1933 Ordnance Survey Map|year=1933|author=Ordnance Survey|publisher=Ordnance Survey}}</ref>

For centuries the area was covered by the [[Great North Wood]], an extensive area of natural oak forest that formed a wilderness close to the southern edge of the then expanding city of London. The forest was a popular area for Londoners' recreation right up to the 19th century, when it began to be built over.<ref name=BritHistNorwood /> It also became a home for some [[Romani people|Romani people]], with local street names and pubs recording the link,<ref name=BritHistNorwood /> and the area still retains vestiges of woodland.

A [[pneumatic railway]] was briefly trialled in the area in 1864. Once the railways arrived, Crystal Palace was eventually served by two railway stations, the [[Crystal Palace (High Level) railway station|high level]] and [[Crystal Palace railway station|low level]] stations, built to handle the large volume of passengers visiting the exhibition building. After the Palace was destroyed by fire, and with [[Beeching axe#Background|railway travel declining]], passenger numbers fell and the high level station was closed in 1954 and demolished seven years later. Rail services gradually declined, and for a period in the 1960s and 1970s, there were plans to construct an urban motorway through the area as part of the [[London Ringways]] plan. With rising passenger numbers, additional [[London Overground]] services began stopping at the station and a [[Crystal Palace railway station#Station redevelopment for East London Line|major station redevelopment]] occurred.

===The Crystal Palace===
[[File:Crystal Palace General view from Water Temple.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Image of the Crystal Palace before it was destroyed by fire.|The Crystal Palace]]
{{Main|The Crystal Palace}}

The Crystal Palace, designed by [[Joseph Paxton]], was a remarkable construction of prefabricated parts. It was a [[Cast iron|cast-iron]] and [[glass]] building originally erected in [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]] to house the [[Great Exhibition]] of 1851. Following the success of the exhibition, the Palace was moved and reconstructed in 1854 in a modified and enlarged form in the grounds of the Penge Place estate at [[Sydenham Hill]]. The buildings housed the [[Crystal Palace School| Crystal Palace School of Art, Science, and Literature and Crystal Palace School of Engineering]]. It attracted visitors for over seven decades.<ref name="ricEduPotter">{{cite web|last=Potter|first=Russell|title=The Crystal Palace|url=http://www.ric.edu/faculty/rpotter/cryspal.html|date=29 January 2007|access-date=12 October 2008}}</ref>

Sydenham Hill is one of the [[List of highest points in London|highest locations in London]]; 109&nbsp;metres (357&nbsp;ft) above sea level ([[spot height]] on Ordnance Survey Map); and the size of the Palace and prominence of the site made it easy to identify from much of London. This led to the residential area around the building becoming known as Crystal Palace instead of Sydenham Hill. The Palace was destroyed by fire on 30 November 1936 and the site of the building and its grounds is now known as Crystal Palace Park.
{{clear}}

==Landmarks==

===Crystal Palace Triangle===
[[File:View from Church Road into Church Road and Westow Street junction, Crystal Palace.JPG|thumb|alt=Photo showing a road leading into part of the triangle.|View into the Crystal Palace Triangle from Church Road]]
The area is formed by Westow Street, Westow Hill and Church Road, and has a number of restaurants and several independent shops, as well as an indoor secondhand market<ref name="visLon">{{cite web|title=Haynes Lane Market|url=http://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/place/10072859-haynes-lane-market|work=Visit London Official Visitor Guide|publisher=London and Partners|access-date=29 May 2013}}</ref> and a [[farmer's market]]<ref name="BlossGuardianFarmMarket">{{cite news|last=Bloss|first=Andrew|title=New farmers market comes to Crystal Palace|url=http://www.streathamguardian.co.uk/news/10427064.New_farmers_market_comes_to_Crystal_Palace/|access-date=29 May 2013|newspaper=Streatham Guardian|date=17 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512231110/http://www.streathamguardian.co.uk/news/10427064.New_farmers_market_comes_to_Crystal_Palace/|archive-date=12 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> on Haynes Lane. The triangle also contains a range of vintage furniture and clothing stores, as well as galleries, arts and crafts shops and other businesses.<ref name="introELLCrystalPal">{{cite web|title=Introducing the East London Line: Crystal Palace|date=27 May 2010 |url=http://londonist.com/2010/05/introducing_the_east_london_line_cr.php|publisher=Londonist|access-date=29 May 2013}}</ref> There was an ongoing campaign to turn a former [[Bingo (British version)|bingo]] hall (at 25 Church Road) back into a cinema, after it had been purchased by the [[Kingsway International Christian Centre#Crystal Palace|Kingsway International Christian Centre]].<ref name=DualPurposeApplication>{{cite news|last=Green|first=Jerry|title=New Bid to Use Former Cinema for Church Services 'Dual purpose' application expected|url=http://www.newsfromcrystalpalace.co.uk/new-bid-use-former-cinema-church-services-dual-purpose-application-expected/|access-date=9 May 2014|date=21 March 2014}}</ref><ref name=CroydonAdvertiserBingoFuture>{{cite news|title=Church's silence on bingo club's future|url=http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/Church-s-silence-bingo-club-s-future/story-11363597-detail/story.html|access-date=9 May 2014|newspaper=Croydon Advertiser|date=26 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402120057/http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/Church-s-silence-bingo-club-s-future/story-11363597-detail/story.html|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=CinemaProtest>{{cite news|title=Cinema protest at disused site|url=http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/100-demonstrate-cinema/story-12130495-detail/story.html|access-date=9 May 2014|newspaper=Croydon Advertiser|date=27 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512220952/http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/100-demonstrate-cinema/story-12130495-detail/story.html|archive-date=12 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> The cinema had opened as "The Rialto" in 1928, later being renamed "The Picture Palace", only to close in 1968 and become a bingo hall. In 2018 after considerable restoration and renovation, [[Everyman Cinemas]] re-opened 25 Church Road as their 25th nationwide cinema location.<ref name="Celluloid Junkie News">{{cite news|title=Crystal Palace Opening is Everyman's Triumphant 25th|url=https://celluloidjunkie.com/2018/11/14/crystal-palace-opening-is-everymans-triumphant-25th/|date=14 Nov 2018}}</ref>
[[File:Haynes Lane Farmer's Market, Crystal Palace 2.JPG|left|thumb|alt=Photograph of people at a street market stall.|Haynes Lane Farmer's Market]]

===Transmitters===
Television transmission has been taking place from Crystal Palace since at least the 1930s<ref name="PopularMech">{{cite journal|title=Television for Millions|journal=Popular Mechanics|date=September 1935|volume=64|issue=3|pages=321–323|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ud4DAAAAMBAJ&q=Popular+Science+1935+plane+%22Popular+Mechanics%22&pg=PA321|access-date=29 May 2013}}</ref> and two [[Television|TV]] [[transmitter]] towers&nbsp;— [[Crystal Palace Transmitter]]&nbsp;– {{convert|640|ft}} tall&nbsp;— and [[Croydon transmitting station|Croydon Transmitter]]&nbsp;– {{convert|500|ft}} tall&nbsp;— stand on the hill at Upper Norwood, making the district a landmark location visible from many parts of London. The towers may appear similar in height and design, but the Crystal Palace mast, constructed in 1956, is on a slightly higher elevation. The current Croydon tower was built in 1962.
[[File:Cp mast.jpg|thumb|alt=Photograph taken at a distance showing entire height of Crystal Palace Park TV transmitter.|The [[Crystal Palace Transmitter]], at 219&nbsp;metres tall, is the fourth tallest structure in London, behind [[the Shard]], [[One Canada Square]] and [[Heron Tower]].<ref name="CPT-Sky">{{cite web |title=Crystal Palace Transmitter |url=http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=3886 |publisher=SkyscraperPage.com |access-date=26 June 2008}}</ref>]]

===Crystal Palace Park===
[[File:Crystal Palace Park.jpg|thumb|alt=Photograph of a wide tree-lined road running through Crystal Palace Park.|left|Crystal Palace Park]]
{{Main|Crystal Palace Park}}
Crystal Palace Park is a large Victorian [[pleasure ground]] occupying much of the land within Crystal Palace and is one of the major London public parks. The park was maintained by the [[London County Council|LCC]] and later the [[Greater London Council|GLC]], but with the abolition of the GLC in 1986, control of the entire park was given to the London Borough of Bromley.<ref name="BromleyPark">{{cite web|title=About Crystal Palace Park&nbsp;— History of the park |url= http://www.bromley.gov.uk/info/200073/parks_and_open_spaces/780/about_crystal_palace_park/2 |work=London Borough of Bromley Website |publisher=London Borough of Bromley |access-date=15 June 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130927212133/http://www.bromley.gov.uk/info/200073/parks_and_open_spaces/780/about_crystal_palace_park/2 |archive-date=27 September 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> From 15 September 2023 responsibility for the park's management has been handed to the Crystal Palace Park Trust.<ref name="CPP Trust">{{cite web|title=Historic Handover |url=https://www.crystalpalaceparktrust.org/pages/historic-handover |work=Crystal Palace Park Trust Website |access-date=5 October 2023}}</ref> [[Crystal Palace railway station]] is located by the park, as is the [[Crystal Palace National Sports Centre|National Sports Centre]]. The park was formerly used for sports such as cricket, football and motor racing,<ref name="standardMotorRacing">{{cite news|last=Williams|first=David|title=Motor to the Palace for action-packed vintage racing|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/motor-to-the-palace-for-actionpacked-vintage-racing-8621170.html|access-date=29 May 2013|newspaper=London Evening Standard|date=17 May 2013}}</ref> and has been a venue for concerts often performed at the site of the [[Crystal Palace Park Concert Platform]].<ref name="CrystalPalParkGardenParties">{{cite web|title=The 70s Crystal Palace Garden Parties|url=http://mishmashvintage.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/70s-crystal-palace-garden-parties.html|work=Mish Mash Vintage Website|date=27 March 2012 |publisher=Mish Mash Vintage|access-date=15 June 2013}}</ref> In recent years the park has played host to organised music events such as [[Wireless Festival]] and [[South Facing Festival]]. It is also home to the famous [[Crystal Palace Dinosaurs|Crystal Palace Dinosaur]] sculptures.

The park is situated halfway along [[Norwood Ridge]] at one of its highest points. This ridge offers views northwards to central London, east to the [[Queen Elizabeth II Bridge]] and [[Greenwich]], and southward to [[Croydon]] and the [[North Downs]]. It is also one of the starting points for the [[South East London Green Chain|Green Chain Walk]], linking to places such as [[Chislehurst]], [[Erith]], the [[Thames Barrier]] and [[Thamesmead]]. Section 3 of the [[Capital Ring]] walk round London goes through the park.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walklondon.org.uk/uploads/File/leaflets/cr3directions(1)_31052010140549.pdf |title=Capital Ring, Section 3, Grove Park to Crystal Palace |work=Walk London |date=April 2010 |access-date=21 September 2013 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927144423/http://www.walklondon.org.uk/uploads/File/leaflets/cr3directions%281%29_31052010140549.pdf |archive-date=27 September 2013 }}</ref>
[[File:Entrance to Westow Park, Crystal Palace.JPG|thumb|alt=Photograph of an external wall and a gate at the boundary of Westow Park.|left|Entrance to Westow Park, Crystal Palace.]]

===Westow Park===
A smaller park occupying {{convert|2.73|ha|acre}}<ref name="CroydonCouncilWestow">{{cite web|title=Westow Park |url=http://www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure/parksandopenspaces/parksatoz/westow/ |work=Croydon Council Website |publisher=Croydon Council |access-date=17 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627115719/http://www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure/parksandopenspaces/parksatoz/westow/ |archive-date=27 June 2013 }}</ref> is to the southwest of the triangle on Church Road. Westow Park hosts the annual Crystal Palace Overground festival, a free community festival held over four days in the summer.<ref name="BromleyTimesOverGround">{{cite news|last=Fowler|first=Joshua|title=Crystal Palace Overground Festival announces Acorn Group sponsorship|url=http://www.bromleytimes.co.uk/news/crystal_palace_overground_festival_announces_acorn_group_sponsorship_1_2202797|access-date=17 June 2013|newspaper=Bromley Times|date=20 May 2013}}</ref>
[[File:Stambourne Woodland Walk, Crystal Palace.JPG|thumb|alt=Image of trees within a wooded area.|View of Stambourne Woodland Walk.]]

===Stambourne Woods===
To the south of the triangle is a small area of woodland occupying {{convert|1.92|ha|acre}}, containing the Stambourne Woodland Walk. It was opened in 1984 and covers an area between developments on Stambourne Way and Fox Hill. The land originally formed the gardens of Victorian villas built on the hill overlooking Croydon, but fell into disrepair. In 1962, the Croydon Council approved terms for buying the land from the [[Church Commissioners]] and other local freeholders, allowing the construction of a link. Paths and benches were installed but much of the vegetation was left undisturbed, creating a woodland pathway.<ref name="CroydonStambourne">{{cite web|title=Stambourne Woodland Walk History |url=http://www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure/parksandopenspaces/parksatoz/stambourne/swwhistory |work=Croydon Council Website |publisher=Croydon Council |access-date=17 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130712183655/http://www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure/parksandopenspaces/parksatoz/stambourne/swwhistory |archive-date=12 July 2013 }}</ref>

===Saint Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church===
At 69 Westow Street is an ornate [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Greek Orthodox Church]] which serves the Greek Cypriot and Orthodox community in the surrounding area. Built in 1878, and formerly an Anglican church (St. Andrew's), the walls are now dressed in ornate [[Byzantine art|Byzantine-style art]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thyateira.org.uk/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=141 |title=Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain |access-date=10 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011060300/http://www.thyateira.org.uk/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=141 |archive-date=11 October 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[File:Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Constantine and Helen, SE19.jpg|thumb|Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Constantine and Helen, SE19]]

==Geography==
{{See also|Geography of London|London Clay}}
Crystal Palace is about {{convert|7|mi|0}} southeast of [[Charing Cross]] on [[Norwood Ridge]] and includes one of the highest points of London at 112&nbsp;metres above the mean sea level (OS map reference TQ337707).<ref name=OSHeight/> The Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, in the centre of the park, is {{convert|88|m}} above the mean sea level.<ref name="MetOfficeCPNSCClimate">{{cite web |title=UK climate&nbsp;— Averages&nbsp;— Crystal Palace National Sports CentreUK climate&nbsp;— Averages&nbsp;— Crystal Palace National Sports Centre |url= http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/climate/crystal-palace-national-sports-centre#?tab=climateTables |work=Met Office website |publisher=Met Office |access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref> The soil in the area has been classified as typically "Slowly permeable, seasonally wet, slightly acid but base-rich loamy and clayey soils", with impeded drainage, moderate [[Fertility (soil)|fertility]] and a [[loamy]] profile.<ref name="CranfieldSoil">{{cite web |title=Soilscapes |url= https://www.landis.org.uk/soilscapes/ |work=National Soils Research Institute |publisher=Cranfield University |access-date=3 July 2013}}</ref> The nearest Met Office climate station is based in [[Greenwich Park]].

{{Weather box
|collapsed = true
|location = London ([[Greenwich]])
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan record high C = 18.5
|Feb record high C = 19.7
|Mar record high C = 25.3
|Apr record high C = 29.8
|May record high C = 32.8
|Jun record high C = 35.6
|Jul record high C = 36.5
|Aug record high C = 38.5
|Sep record high C = 35.4
|Oct record high C = 29.9
|Nov record high C = 21.1
|Dec record high C = 17.7
|year record high C = 38.5
|Jan high C = 8.3
|Feb high C = 8.5
|Mar high C = 11.4
|Apr high C = 14.2
|May high C = 17.7
|Jun high C = 20.7
|Jul high C = 23.2
|Aug high C = 22.9
|Sep high C = 20.1
|Oct high C = 15.6
|Nov high C = 11.4
|Dec high C = 8.6
|year high C = 15.2
|Jan low C = 2.6
|Feb low C = 2.4
|Mar low C = 4.1
|Apr low C = 5.4
|May low C = 8.4
|Jun low C = 11.5
|Jul low C = 13.9
|Aug low C = 13.7
|Sep low C = 11.2
|Oct low C = 8.3
|Nov low C = 5.1
|Dec low C = 2.8
|year low C = 7.5
|Jan record low C = -10.0
|Feb record low C = -9.0
|Mar record low C = -8.0
|Apr record low C = -2.0
|May record low C = -1.0
|Jun record low C = 5.0
|Jul record low C = 7.0
|Aug record low C = 6.0
|Sep record low C = 3.0
|Oct record low C = -4.0
|Nov record low C = -5.0
|Dec record low C = -7.0
|year record low C = -10.0
|Jan precipitation mm = 51.6
|Feb precipitation mm = 38.2
|Mar precipitation mm = 40.5
|Apr precipitation mm = 45.0
|May precipitation mm = 46.5
|Jun precipitation mm = 47.3
|Jul precipitation mm = 41.1
|Aug precipitation mm = 51.6
|Sep precipitation mm = 50.4
|Oct precipitation mm = 68.8
|Nov precipitation mm = 58.0
|Dec precipitation mm = 53.0
|year precipitation mm = 591.8
|Jan humidity = 91
|Feb humidity = 89
|Mar humidity = 91
|Apr humidity = 90
|May humidity = 92
|Jun humidity = 92
|Jul humidity = 93
|Aug humidity = 95
|Sep humidity = 96
|Oct humidity = 95
|Nov humidity = 93
|Dec humidity = 91
|unit rain days = 1.0 mm
|Jan rain days = 10.8
|Feb rain days = 8.5
|Mar rain days = 9.6
|Apr rain days = 9.4
|May rain days = 9.0
|Jun rain days = 8.3
|Jul rain days = 8.0
|Aug rain days = 7.6
|Sep rain days = 8.5
|Oct rain days = 10.7
|Nov rain days = 10.1
|Dec rain days = 9.9
|Jan snow days= 4
|Feb snow days= 4
|Mar snow days= 3
|Apr snow days= 1
|May snow days= 0
|Jun snow days= 0
|Jul snow days= 0
|Aug snow days= 0
|Sep snow days= 0
|Oct snow days= 0
|Nov snow days= 1
|Dec snow days= 3
|Jan sun = 49.9
|Feb sun = 71.4
|Mar sun = 107.1
|Apr sun = 159.8
|May sun = 181.2
|Jun sun = 181.0
|Jul sun = 192.1
|Aug sun = 195.1
|Sep sun = 138.9
|Oct sun = 108.1
|Nov sun = 58.5
|Dec sun = 37.4
|year sun = 1480.5
|source 1 = Record highs and lows from [[BBC Weather]],<ref name="AverageWeatherLondon">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/8?type=node&clear=ABCD&state=fo:D |title=London, Greater London: Average conditions |publisher=[[BBC Weather]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511121445/http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/8?type=node&clear=ABCD&state=fo:D |archive-date=11 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> except August and February maximum from [[Met Office]]<ref name="Met_Aug_2003_Hot_Spell">{{cite web|title=August 2003&nbsp;— Hot spell |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/interesting/aug03maxtemps.html#maxtemps10aug |publisher=[[Met Office]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101209163022/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/interesting/aug03maxtemps.html |archive-date=9 December 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/extremes/monthly_temperature_country.html#highest_daily_maximum_england |title=Monthly temperature records by country |publisher=Met Office |access-date=22 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206164520/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/extremes/monthly_temperature_country.html |archive-date=6 February 2012 }}</ref>
|source 2 = All other data from [[Met Office]],<ref name = GreenwichStats>{{cite web
 | url = http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19812010/sites/greenwich.html
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121027145637/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19812010/sites/greenwich.html
 | url-status = dead
 | archive-date = 27 October 2012
 | title = Greenwich 1981–2010 averages
 | publisher = [[Met Office]]
 | access-date = 10 April 2013}}</ref> except for humidity and snow data which are from NOAA<ref>{{Cite FTP |title=NOAA|server=NOAA|url-status=dead|url=ftp://dossier.ogp.noaa.gov/GCOS/WMO-Normals/RA-VI/UK/03776.TXT}}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}

==Local government==
Crystal Palace is on the boundary of four [[London boroughs]]&nbsp;– [[London Borough of Bromley|Bromley]], [[London Borough of Croydon|Croydon]], [[London Borough of Lambeth|Lambeth]] and [[London Borough of Southwark|Southwark]]. A fifth borough&nbsp;– [[London Borough of Lewisham|Lewisham]]&nbsp;– is nearby. As a result, the area is served by a diverse range of [[Local government in England|local government]] bodies and [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Members of Parliament]] (MPs).<ref name=croydonAdTriangleThree /><ref name="LondonBoroughs">{{cite web|title=London boroughs map and profiles |url=http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/londonfacts/londonlocalgovernment/londonmapandlinks |work=LondonCouncils Website |publisher=London Councils |access-date=15 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604082747/http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/londonfacts/londonlocalgovernment/londonmapandlinks |archive-date=4 June 2013 }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+ align="top"| Party colours
|-
! Colour !! Party
|-
| {{party color cell|Conservative Party (UK)}}
|[[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]]
|-
| {{party color cell|Labour Party (UK)}}
|[[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]
|-
|-
| {{party color cell|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}
|[[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]]
|-
|}

===Local authorities===
{{See also|2022 London local elections}}
Several local authority councillors in the area were elected on 5 May 2022. All seats bar 1 are held by Labour party candidates. The elected officials by ward for Crystal Palace local authorities in October 2023 were:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Local Authority !! Ward !!| &nbsp; !! Elected Councillors
|-
| rowspan=2 |[[Bromley Council|Bromley]] || rowspan=2 |[[Crystal Palace (ward)|Crystal Palace & Anerley]] 
| {{party color cell|Labour Party (UK)}}
| Ruth McGregor
|-
| {{party color cell|Labour Party (UK)}}
| Ryan Thomson <ref name="2023BromleyCouncillors">{{cite web |title=Your Councillors by Ward |url=https://cds.bromley.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=WARD&VW=LIST&PIC=0 |website=Bromley Council Website |publisher=London Borough of Bromley |access-date=13 October 2023}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=3|[[Croydon Council|Croydon]] || rowspan=3|Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood 
| {{party color cell|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}
| Claire Bonham
|-
| {{party color cell|Labour Party (UK)}}
|Nina Degrads
|-
| {{party color cell|Labour Party (UK)}}
|Patsy Cummings<ref name="2023CroydonCouncillors">{{cite web |title=Your Councillors by Ward |url=https://democracy.croydon.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=WARD&VW=LIST&PIC=0 |website=Croydon Council Website |publisher=London Borough of Croydon |access-date=13 October 2023}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=2|[[Lambeth Council|Lambeth]] || rowspan=2|Gipsy Hill
| {{party color cell|Labour Party (UK)}}
|Christine Banton
|-
| {{party color cell|Labour Party (UK)}}
| Rebecca Spencer<ref name="2023LambethCouncillors">{{cite web |title=Find Councillor |url=https://moderngov.lambeth.gov.uk/mgFindMember.aspx?XXR=0&AC=WARD&WID=353&sPC=Enter%20postcode |website=Lambeth Council Website |publisher=London Borough of Lambeth |access-date=13 October 2023}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=2|[[Southwark Council|Southwark]] || rowspan=2|Dulwich Wood 
| {{party color cell|Labour Party (UK)}}
|Andy Simmons
|-
| {{party color cell|Labour Party (UK)}}
|Catherine Rose<ref name="2023SouthwarkCouncillors">{{cite web |title=Your Councillors by Ward |url=https://moderngov.southwark.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=WARD&VW=LIST&PIC=0 |website=Southwark Council Website |publisher=London Borough of Southwark |access-date=13 October 2023}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=3|[[Lewisham Council|Lewisham]] || rowspan=3|Sydenham 
| {{party color cell|Labour Party (UK)}}
|Chris Best
|-
| {{party color cell|Labour Party (UK)}}
|Liam Curran
|-
| {{party color cell|Labour Party (UK)}}
|Jack Lavery<ref name="2023LewishamCouncillors">{{cite web |title=Councillors by Ward |url=https://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=WARD&VW=LIST&PIC=0 |website=Lewisham Council Website |publisher=London Borough of Lewisham |access-date=13 October 2023}}</ref>
|}

===London Assembly===
The area is represented by four constituencies in the [[London Assembly]]. Their elected assembly members in 2024 were:
{{multiple image
 | width = 160
 | footer = London Assembly Members in Crystal Palace.
 | image1 = Len Duvall London assembly Lab.jpg
 | alt1 = Profile image of Len Duvall AM
 | caption1 = Len Duvall
 }}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!| London Assembly Constituency !!| &nbsp;!! Elected Member
|-
| [[Croydon and Sutton (London Assembly constituency)|Croydon and Sutton]] 
| {{party color cell|Conservative Party (UK)}}
| [[Neil Garratt]]
|-
| [[Bexley and Bromley (London Assembly constituency)|Bexley and Bromley]] 
| {{party color cell|Conservative Party (UK)}}
| [[Thomas Turrell]]
|-
| [[Greenwich and Lewisham (London Assembly constituency)|Greenwich and Lewisham]] 
| {{party color cell|Labour Party (UK)}}
| [[Len Duvall]]
|-
| [[Lambeth and Southwark (London Assembly constituency)|Lambeth and Southwark]] 
| {{party color cell|Labour Party (UK)}}
| [[Marina Ahmad]]
|}

===Westminster Parliament===
The area is represented by four constituencies in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|Westminster Parliament]]. In July 2024, their elected MPs were:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!| Constituency !!| &nbsp;!! MP
|-
| [[Beckenham and Penge (UK Parliament constituency)|Beckenham and Penge]] 
| {{party color cell|Labour Party (UK)}}
|[[Liam Conlon]]
|-
| [[Croydon North (UK Parliament constituency)|Croydon North]] 
| {{party color cell|Labour Party (UK)}}
| [[Steve Reed (politician)|Steve Reed]]
|-
| [[Dulwich and West Norwood (UK Parliament constituency)|Dulwich and West Norwood]] 
| {{party color cell|Labour Party (UK)}}
| [[Helen Hayes (politician)|Helen Hayes]]
|-
| [[Lewisham West and East Dulwich (UK Parliament constituency)|Lewisham West and East Dulwich]]
| {{party color cell|Labour Party (UK)}}
| [[Ellie Reeves]]
|}
{{clear}}

==Media==

===Films===

''[[The Italian Job]]'' has a scene filmed at the athletics track in the Crystal Palace sports centre, in which [[Michael Caine]] says, "You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!"<ref name="ItalianJobLocations">{{cite web|title=The film&nbsp;— locations&nbsp;— UK locations|url=http://www.theitalianjob.com/the_film_locations_uk.htm|work=The Italian Job website|publisher=The Italian Job.com|access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref> ''[[The Pleasure Garden (1952 film)|The Pleasure Garden]]'' was also filmed in the park and ''[[Our Mother's House]]'' has a scene featuring [[Dirk Bogarde]] with several children on the park's boating lake.{{Citation needed|date=December 2025}}

The park features prominently as the setting of an outdoor [[rave]] in the music video for [[The Chemical Brothers]]' number 1 single "[[Setting Sun (The Chemical Brothers song)|Setting Sun]]".<ref name="IvoryBunker">{{cite web|title=A south London past&nbsp;– musings on Crystal Palace|url=http://www.blog.ivorybunker.com/2013/01/227|work=Ivory Bunker blog|publisher=Ivory Bunker|access-date=17 June 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130617200345/http://www.blog.ivorybunker.com/2013/01/227|archive-date=17 June 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Foresters Hall, Westow Street, Upper Norwood SE19 - geograph.org.uk - 50985.jpg|left|thumb|Foresters Hall, Westow Street]]

===Literature===
[[Arthur Conan Doyle]] was active in the area between 1891 and 1894. Although he lived in nearby [[South Norwood]], he visited the Crystal Palace and [[Upper Norwood]] area regularly in connection with the Upper Norwood Literary and Scientific Society. The Foresters Hall on Westow Street was then known as the Welcome Hall (or just Welcome), and it was in that hall in May 1892 that Arthur Conan Doyle was elected President of the society. He was re-elected to the post in 1893 and resigned in 1894. Each occasion was held in the same hall.<ref>The Norwood Author&nbsp;— Arthur Conan Doyle & The Norwood Years (1891–1894) by Alistair Duncan {{ISBN|978-1-904312-69-7}}</ref>

The writer [[Deborah Crombie]] sets her 2013 mystery, ''The Sound of Broken Glass'', in the Crystal Palace area of London.<ref name="TippingGlassReview">{{cite news|title=Book review: 'The Sound of Broken Glass' by Deborah Crombie|author=Joh Tipping|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/entertainment/books/20130222-book-review-the-sound-of-broken-glass-by-deborah-crombie.ece|access-date=7 June 2013|work=The Dallas Morning News|date=22 February 2013}}</ref>

==Sports==

===Cricket===
{{Main|Crystal Palace Cricket Club}}

The [[Crystal Palace Cricket Club]] was founded in 1857 and played their matches inside the grounds of The Crystal Palace at the [[Crystal Palace Park Cricket Ground]], which later became the home of the [[London County Cricket Club]] formed by the Crystal Palace Company with the help of [[W.G. Grace]].
[[File:Crystal palace fc 1905-06.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Crystal Palace FC 1905–06]]
===Football===
{{Main|Crystal Palace F.C.}}

An [[Crystal Palace F.C. (1861)|amateur football]] team formed of players from the Crystal Palace Cricket Club played on the cricket ground between 1862 and 1864. They moved to a ground behind the [[Crooked Billet, Penge]] for a few years, but then came back to [[Crystal Palace Park]] for a short spell before disbanding around 1876. The professional [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] football club was founded in 1905 and played its home games at the sports stadium situated in Crystal Palace Park, which was built in 1895 to host the [[Crystal Palace National Sports Centre#FA Cup Finals (1895–1914)|FA Cup Final]]. However, in 1915 the club was forced to leave due to the [[First World War]] and played at nearby [[Herne Hill Velodrome]] and [[Croydon Common Athletic Ground|the Nest]], before moving to its current home at [[Selhurst Park]] in 1924. The club competes in the [[Premier League]], the top–tier of English football.

===FA Cup Final===
The [[Crystal Palace National Sports Centre#FA Cup Finals (1895–1914)|FA Cup Final]] was hosted at the Palace sports stadium between 1895 and 1914.

{{wide image|CrystalPalace1905.jpg|600px|align-cap=center|A panoramic view of the Crystal Palace ground during the [[1905 FA Cup Final]], the only such photograph of the stadium known to exist.}}

===Rugby===
The historical grounds also hosted the first [[England national rugby union team|England Rugby Union]] match against New Zealand in 1905, which New Zealand won by 15–0. 

[[File:Crystal Palace athletics stadium.jpg|thumb|Athletics stadium at the National Sports Centre.]]

===National Sports Centre===
{{Main|Crystal Palace National Sports Centre}}

In 1964, a 15,500 seater athletics stadium and sports centre was built on the former site of the football stadium in Crystal Palace Park. The athletics stadium was known as the National Sports Centre and between 1999 and 2012 hosted the [[London Grand Prix|London Athletics Grand Prix]] among other international athletics meetings. The Crystal Palace triathletes club is also based here.<ref name="CPTriath">{{cite web|title=Welcome to the CPT website|url=http://www.crystalpalace-tri.co.uk/|work=Crystal Palace Triathletes Website|publisher=Crystal Palace Triathletes|access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref> Since the [[London 2012 Olympics]], the status of the stadium and aquatics centre as the main facilities for their sports in London has been superseded by the [[London Aquatics Centre]] and [[Olympic Stadium (London)|Olympic Stadium]]. This led to Crystal Palace F.C. submitting plans to rebuild the stadium as a 40,000 capacity football venue, <ref name=bbcNewsCrystalRelocate>{{cite news|title=Crystal Palace unveil plans for National Sports Centre |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crystal_palace/9364649.stm |access-date=29 May 2013 |work=BBC Sport - Football |date=20 January 2011}}</ref> although the club has since shelved these plans, to concentrate on redeveloping their home at Selhurst Park.<ref>{{cite news |title=Crystal Palace plan for Selhurst Park expansion given the go-ahead by Croydon Council |url=https://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/news/croydon-news/crystal-palace-plan-selhurst-park-1479320 |access-date=20 April 2018 |newspaper=Croydon Advertiser |date=20 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420010458/https://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/news/croydon-news/crystal-palace-plan-selhurst-park-1479320 |archive-date=20 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Motor Racing===
{{main|Crystal Palace circuit}}

A motor racing circuit was opened around the Park in 1927 and the remains of the track now make up some of the access roads around the park. The track was extended to {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in}} in 1936, before being taken over by the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] at the start of [[World War II]]. Race meetings resumed in 1953, and the circuit hosted a range of international racing events, continuing until the last races in 1974. For three years, from 1997, parts of the circuit were used for a once-a-year sprint time trial similar to a [[:Hillclimbing|hillclimb]] before stopping due to development work. The event resumed in 2010 and continued until 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.motorsportatthepalace.co.uk/|title=Motorsport at the Palace|website=motorsportatthepalace.co.uk|access-date=9 April 2020}}</ref>

==Education==
[[File:Harris City Academy Crystal Palace.jpg|thumbnail|Harris City Academy Crystal Palace]]
Crystal Palace contains three primary schools, Paxton Primary School, Rockmount Primary School and All Saints C of E Primary School, and one secondary school, [[Harris City Academy]].<ref name="FoxtonsSecondary">{{cite web|title=Living in Crystal Palace|url=http://www.foxtons.co.uk/living-in/crystal-palace/|work=Foxtons Website|publisher=Foxtons|access-date=15 June 2013}}</ref> [[Crystal Palace Park]] also contains a branch of [[Capel Manor College]], offering courses in Animal Care, Arboriculture and Countryside, Horticulture and Landscaping and Garden Design along with other short courses.<ref name="CapelManor">{{cite web|title=Crystal Palace Park centre|url=http://www.capel.ac.uk/crystal-palace-park-centre.html|work=Capel Manor College website|publisher=Capel Manor College|access-date=15 June 2013}}</ref>

In 2013, due to a shortage of primary school places in both Crystal Palace<ref name=cpprimaryschoolfrontpage>{{cite web|title=WANTED: More primary school places for Crystal Palace|url=http://www.crystalpalaceprimary.org.uk/|work=Crystal Palace Primary School website|publisher=Crystal Palace Primary School|access-date=3 September 2013}}</ref> and London,<ref name=EveningStandardSchoolsCrisis>{{cite news|last=Davis|first=Anna|title=London primary schools places crisis|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/education/london-primary-schools-places-crisis-8671272.html|access-date=3 September 2013|newspaper=London Evening Standard|date=24 June 2013}}</ref> proposals to open a new primary school by September 2015 were put forward, with plans submitted to the [[Department for Education]] in January 2014.<ref name=cpprimaryschool>{{cite web|title=Our Project Timeline|url=http://www.crystalpalaceprimary.org.uk/free-schools/timeline/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130903115221/http://www.crystalpalaceprimary.org.uk/free-schools/timeline/|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 September 2013|work=Crystal Palace Primary School website|publisher=Crystal Palace Primary School|access-date=3 September 2013}}</ref> The proposals were approved as part of wave 6 of the [[Free school (England)|Free Schools Programme]] and the school is scheduled to open in September 2015. As of October 2014, the school is considering three possible building configurations&nbsp;– with the [[Greater London Authority]] running a public consultation on each option&nbsp;– all of which would involve demolishing one of the seated stands around the athletics track at the [[Crystal Palace National Sports Centre|National Sports Centre]].<ref name=CPSchoolLocationPressRelease>{{cite press release |title=Location |date=10 June 2014 |url= http://www.crystalpalaceprimary.org.uk/about/location/ |publisher=Crystal Palace Primary School Limited |access-date=20 October 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141020184146/http://www.crystalpalaceprimary.org.uk/about/location/|archive-date=20 October 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=GLAPrimarySchoolSurveyPlans>{{cite web |title=Crystal Palace National Sports Centre Development Options: Public Consultation |url= http://survey.euro.confirmit.com/wix6/p1838870106.aspx |website=Survey&nbsp;– Euro Confirmit website |publisher=Greater London Authority |access-date=20 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://archive.today/20141020165813/http://survey.euro.confirmit.com/wix6/p1838870106.aspx |archive-date=20 October 2014}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Transport==

===Roads===
The area is served by the [[A212 road|A212]], [[A214 road|A214]], [[A234 road|A234]] and [[A2199 road]]s. The roads that make up the triangle (Westow Hill, Westow Street and Church Road) form part of a [[one-way system]] and are in a 24-hour [[controlled parking zone|controlled parking and loading zone]]. There is a coach park inside Crystal Palace Park.

The area would have been affected by the cancelled [[London Ringways]] [[motorway]] plans, as one of the radial routes connecting the [[South Cross Route]] to [[London Ringways#Ringway 2|Ringway 2]] (the [[South Cross Route#South Cross Route to Parkway D Radial|South Cross Route to Parkway D Radial]]) would have run through a part of Crystal Palace Park, following the railway line.{{cn|date=September 2024}}

====Cycle routes====
[[London Cycle Network]] routes 23 and 27 travel through Crystal Palace. Route 27 runs from Anerley Hill through part of Crystal Palace Park towards [[Bromley]] and route 23 runs through the Crystal Palace triangle to connect to [[Borough, London|Borough]] and [[Croydon]].<ref name="openCycleMap">{{cite web|title=Open Cycle Map|url=http://www.opencyclemap.org/|publisher=OpenCycleMap|access-date=29 May 2013}}</ref>

[[Transport for London]] have proposed to build [[Quietway]] route 7 that runs from Crystal Palace to [[Elephant and Castle]].<ref name="TfLQuietwayMap">{{cite web|title=Quietways – The First Seven Routes |url= http://content.tfl.gov.uk/quietways-routes-overview-2016.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161019202707/http://content.tfl.gov.uk/quietways-routes-overview-2016.pdf |archive-date=2016-10-19 |url-status=live |website=Transport for London |access-date=24 July 2017}}</ref> The route was subject to consultation processes in the London Boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark in 2016, with construction to begin in 2017.<ref name="SouthwarkQ7">{{cite web |title=Quietway 7 – Elephant and Castle to Crystal Palace |url=http://www.2.southwark.gov.uk/info/200431/street_improvements/4080/quietway_7_-_elephant_and_castle_to_crystal_palace |website=Southwark Council |access-date=24 July 2017 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="LambethQ7">{{cite web |title=Proposed changes to Quietway 7 cycle route -Elephant & Castle to Crystal Palace- West Dulwich and Gipsy Hill – Series 1 |url= https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/consultations/proposed-changes-to-quietway-7-cycle-route-elephant-castle-to-crystal-palace-west |website=Lambeth Council |access-date=24 July 2017}}</ref>

===Rail===
[[File:Crystal Palace railway station and National Sports Centre.jpg|thumb|alt= Crystal Palace railway station from above in 2024.|Crystal Palace Station, aerial view in 2024.]]
Crystal Palace is accessible by rail from [[Crystal Palace railway station]], where [[Southern (train operating company)|Southern]] trains run between [[London Victoria station|Victoria]] on the [[Crystal Palace Line]] and [[London Bridge rail station|London Bridge]] on the [[Brighton Main Line]], and where [[London Overground]] trains run to [[Highbury & Islington station|Highbury & Islington]] on the [[East London Line]]. In addition, Southern services run to [[Beckenham Junction station|Beckenham Junction]], [[Sutton railway station (London)|Sutton]] and [[Epsom Downs railway station|Epsom Downs]].<ref name="nationalRail">{{cite web|title=National Rail Enquiries|url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk|work=National Rail Website|publisher=National Rail|access-date=29 May 2013}}</ref> Crystal Palace railway station is one of the few stations to border two [[London fare zones|zones]], Zones 3 and 4.<ref name="tflRailMap">{{cite web|title=London's Rail and Tube Services |url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/oyster-rail-services-map.pdf |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=29 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130814105332/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/oyster-rail-services-map.pdf |archive-date=14 August 2013 }}</ref> The South Gate of the Park is accessible by rail via [[Penge West railway station|Penge West]], which is served by Southern trains from [[London Bridge railway station|London Bridge]] and [[London Overground]] services.

Crystal Palace used to have a second railway station, the [[Crystal Palace (High Level) railway station]]. The station was built to serve passengers visiting the Crystal Palace, but after the fire in 1936, traffic on [[Crystal Palace and South London Junction Railway|the branch line]] declined. In [[World War II]], the line serving the station was temporarily closed due to bomb damage. Repairs were made and the line was reopened, but the requirement for reconstruction and the decline in traffic led to a decision to close the station and branch line in 1954, followed by the demolition of the station in 1961. Despite the demolition, a [[Grade 2 listed#Categories of listed building|Grade II listed]] subway remains under Crystal Palace Parade.<ref name="CrystalPalace">{{cite web |title=Site Name: Crystal Palace High Level Station subway |url= http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/sites/c/crystal_palace_subway/index.shtml |publisher=Subterranea Britannica |access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref> The [[Crystal Palace pneumatic railway]] was also built in Crystal Palace c.1864.

[[File:Unit 378149 at Crystal Palace.JPG|left|alt=A London Overground train waiting at a platform in the station.|thumb|London Overground train at Crystal Palace.]]
The low level station remain open, although passenger numbers at that station also fell after the fire of 1936 and many services were diverted to serve London–Croydon routes instead of the Victoria–London Bridge route. Rail travel was in decline across the UK in the 1960s and 1970s when the [[Beeching Axe]] was imposed. In the 1970s, two outer platforms used by terminating trains were abandoned and the third rail was removed.

More recently rail travel at the station has seen a resurgence and new services have started running. Passenger numbers increased each year between 2004 and 2013.<ref name=ORRFigures>{{cite web|title=Estimates of station usage|url=http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1529|work=Rail Statistics|publisher=Office of Rail Regulation|access-date=29 September 2013|archive-date=4 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704101059/http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1529|url-status=dead}}</ref> Since May 2010, the station has served the [[East London Line]] branch of the [[London Overground]], connecting with the [[Central London]] and [[East End of London]]. In 2011 services were extended to [[Highbury and Islington railway station|Highbury and Islington]].<ref name="railwayGazette">{{cite news|title=East London Line reaches Highbury and Islington|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/east-london-line-reaches-highbury-islington.html|access-date=29 May 2013|newspaper=Railway Gazette International|date=28 February 2011|archive-date=26 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226134732/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/east-london-line-reaches-highbury-islington.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The station underwent redevelopment in 2012, which brought the original Victorian booking hall back into use, created a new cafe in the station building and provided wheelchair access through the installation of three lifts; this work was completed by the end of March 2013.<ref name=TfLCYPRefurb>{{cite web|title=Crystal Palace refurbishment complete|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/metro/27592.aspx|work=Transport for London website|publisher=Transport for London|access-date=3 September 2013}}</ref>

===Tram===
Tram services from Surrey used to operate up Anerley Hill to the Crystal Palace Parade until the 1930s. More recently there have been proposals to connect [[Tramlink]] to Crystal Palace, with [[London Mayor|mayoral candidates]] citing the desirability of the initiative.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/8362902.Ken_Livingstone_looks_to_China_to_regenerate_Croydon|title=Ken Livingstone looks to China to regenerate Croydon|author=Mike Didymus|date=31 August 2010|work=This is Local London}}</ref><ref name="streatGuardTram">{{cite news|last=Truman|first=Peter|title=Renewed hope for Crystal Palace tram|url=http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/local/streathamnews/4023238.Renewed_hope_for_Crystal_Palace_tram/|access-date=29 May 2013|newspaper=Streatham Guardian|date=6 January 2009}}</ref>
[[File:Crystal Palace Bus Station - geograph.org.uk - 692080.jpg|thumb|alt=Photograph of Crystal Palace bus station, with the Crystal Palace transmitter featuring prominently in the background.|Crystal Palace Bus Station]]

===Bus===
The area is served by multiple [[Buses in London|bus]] routes, many of which terminate at Crystal Palace Bus Station situated on the Parade. These services include routes [[London Buses route N2|N2]], [[London Buses route 3|3/N3]], [[London Buses route N63|N63]], [[London Buses route 122|122]], [[London Buses route N137|N137]], [[London Buses route 157|157]], [[London Buses route 202|202]], [[London Buses route 227|227]], [[London Buses route 249|249]], [[London Buses route 322|322]], [[London Buses route 358|358]], [[London Buses route 363|363]], [[London Buses route 410|410]], [[London Buses route 417|417]], [[London Buses route 432|432]] and [[London Buses route 450|450]].<ref name="TFLBusMaps">{{cite web|title=Buses from Crystal Palace|url=http://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/crystal-palace-a4.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222173635/http://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/crystal-palace-a4.pdf |archive-date=2018-12-22 |url-status=live|work=Transport for London website|publisher=Transport for London|access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref>

===Air===
The nearest major international airports are [[Heathrow Airport|Heathrow]] and [[Gatwick Airport|Gatwick]]. [[London City Airport]] and [[Biggin Hill Airport]] are also nearby.

==Notable people==
[[File:Marie Stopes in her laboratory, 1904 - Restoration.jpg|thumbnail|left|Marie Stopes in her laboratory, 1904.]]
[[Marie Stopes]], early promoter of sex education and contraception, was raised in a house on Cintra Park shortly after her birth in Edinburgh in 1880.<ref name="EnglishHeritageStopes">{{cite web |title=Blue Plaque for Marie Stopes |url= http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/news/blue-plaque-for-marie-stopes/ |work=English Heritage Website |publisher=English Heritage |date=29 July 2010|access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref>

[[Joseph Paxton]], designer of the Crystal Palace itself and instrumental in having the building reassembled on Sydenham Hill following the success of the [[Great Exhibition]] of 1851, lived in a house called "Rockhills" at the top of Westwood Hill.<ref name="Plaques of London">{{cite web |title=Plaques of London-Rockhills |url= https://www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk/locations/rockhills/ |work=Plaques of London Website |publisher=Plaques of London |access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref>

[[Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins]], artist and sculptor who created the [[Crystal Palace Dinosaurs]] in the park, lived in Belvedere Road between 1856 and 1872.<ref name="BromleyPlaques">{{cite web |title=Blue Plaques in Bromley |url=http://www.bromley.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/472/blue_plaques_in_bromley |work=London Borough of Bromley Website |publisher=London Borough of Bromley |access-date=22 June 2013 |archive-date=1 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901022645/http://www.bromley.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/472/blue_plaques_in_bromley |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[Jim Bob]], [[Carter USM]] frontman, currently lives in Crystal Palace.<ref name="JimBobOpenFestival">{{cite news|last=Blundy|first=Rachel|title=Carter USM frontman to open Crystal Palace festival|url=http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/9751648.Carter_USM_frontman_to_open_festival/|access-date=17 June 2013|newspaper=Your Local Guardian|date=10 June 2012}}</ref>

The African-American Shakespearean actor [[Ira Aldridge]] lived in Hamlet Road.<ref name="EnglishHeritageIraAldridge">{{cite web|title=Aldridge, Ira (1807–1867)|url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/discover/blue-plaques/search/aldridge-ira-1807-1867|work=English Heritage Website|publisher=English Heritage|access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref>
[[File:Queen's Hotel, Church Road, Crystal Palace.JPG|thumb|alt=Photograph of front of Georgian-style white/cream Queen's Hotel building.|Queen's Hotel on Church Road. Émile Zola stayed here briefly.]]
The French novelist [[Émile Zola]] lived in what is now the Queen's Hotel on Church Road between October 1898 and June 1899.<ref name="HeritageEmileZola">{{cite web|title=Zola, Emile (1840–1902)|url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/discover/blue-plaques/search/zola-emile-1840-1902|work=English Heritage Website|publisher=English Heritage|access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref> Zola fled to England after being convicted of criminal libel in France on 23 February 1898, a direct consequence of the publication of his open letter ''[[J'Accuse…!]]''.

[[Francis Pettit Smith]], one of the inventors of the [[screw propeller]] and a contributor to the construction of the [[SS Archimedes|SS ''Archimedes'']], lived in the area between 1864 and 1870.<ref name="EnglishHeritagePettit">{{cite web|title=Smith, Sir Francis Pettit (1808–1874)|url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/discover/blue-plaques/search/smith-sir-francis-pettit-1808-1874|work=English Heritage Website|publisher=English Heritage|access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref>

British rapper [[Speech Debelle]] was born in Crystal Palace. She left the area because of "traffic and parking problems".<ref name="DebelleQuits">{{cite news |last=Watts |first=Matt |title=Mercury winner, Speech Debelle, to quit south London over traffic congestion |url= http://www.croydonguardian.co.uk/news/4628527.Speech_Debelle_to_quit_south_London_because_of__traffic_and_parking__problems/ |access-date=17 June 2013 |newspaper=Croydon Guardian |date=15 September 2009}}</ref>

[[Camille Pissarro]], Danish-French Impressionist and Neo-Impressionist painter, stayed in Crystal Palace between 1870 and 1871.<ref name="pisarroBook">{{cite book|last=Reed|first=Nicholas|title=Camille Pissarro at Crystal Palace|year=1995|publisher=Lilburne Press|isbn=0-9515258-9-1|page=64}}</ref><ref name="pissarroPlaque">{{cite web|title=Camille Pissarro (1830–1903) impressionist painter stayed on this site 1870–71|url=http://openplaques.org/plaques/9921|work=Open Plaques Website|publisher=Open Plaques|access-date=22 June 2013}}</ref>

Comedy scriptwriter [[John Sullivan (writer)|John Sullivan]] of ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]'' fame wrote the pilot episode of his debut sitcom ''[[Citizen Smith]]'' at his in-laws' house in Crystal Palace.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Coveney |first=Michael |date=2011-04-24 |title=John Sullivan obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2011/apr/24/john-sullivan-obituary |access-date=2024-06-10 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

A fuller list of notable people can be found on the same section of the [[Upper Norwood#Notable people|Upper Norwood]] page.

==Nearest places==
{{Div col|colwidth=25em}}
*[[Anerley]]
*[[Beckenham]]
*[[Catford]]
*[[Dulwich]] and [[Dulwich Wood]]
*[[Elmers End]]
*[[Forest Hill, London|Forest Hill]]
*[[Gipsy Hill]]
*[[Penge]]
*[[South Norwood]]
*[[Sydenham, London|Sydenham]]
*[[Upper Norwood]]
*[[West Norwood]]
{{Div col end}}

==See also==
*[[The Crystal Palace]]
*[[Crystal Palace Park]]
*[[Crystal Palace Dinosaurs]]
*[[Crystal Palace National Sports Centre]]
*[[Crystal Palace railway station]]
*[[Crystal Palace (High Level) railway station]]
*[[Crystal Palace pneumatic railway]]
*[[Crystal Palace circuit]]

==References==

===Citations===
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

===Bibliography===
*Beryl D. Cheeseman, ''Treetops & Terraces'', Theban Publishing, 1991.
*Beryl D. Cheeseman, ''Upper Norwood Triangle Memories'', Theban Publishing, 2007.
*John Coulter, ''Norwood: A Second Selection'' (Britain in Old Photographs), The History Press, 2012.
*John Coulter, ''Norwood Past'', Historical Publications, 1996.
*John Coulter, ''Norwood Pubs'' (Images of England), Tempus Publishing, 2006 (reprinted by The History Press).
*David R. Johnson, ''Around Crystal Palace & Penge'' (Britain in Old Photographs), Sutton Publishing, 2004 (reprinted by The History Press).
*Ian Leith, ''Delamotte's Crystal Palace: A Victorian Pleasure Dome Revealed'', English Heritage, 2005 (reprinted by The Crystal Palace Foundation, 2013).
*J. R. Piggott, ''Palace of the People: The Crystal Palace at Sydenham 1854-1936'', Hurst & Company, 2004.
*Nicholas Reed, ''Crystal Palace and the Norwoods'' (Images of England), Tempus Publishing, 1995 (reprinted by The History Press).
*C. J. Schuler, ''The Wood that Built London: A Human History of the Great North Wood'', Sandstone Press, 2021.
*Alan R. Warwick, ''The Phoenix Suburb: A South London Social History'', The Blue Boar Press/Norwood Society, 1972 (reprinted 1991 & 2008).

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Crystal Palace}}
{{Wikivoyage|Crystal Palace}}
*[http://www.crystalpalacefoundation.org.uk/ Crystal Palace Foundation]
*[http://www.cpca.org.uk/ Crystal Palace Community Association]
*[https://www.crystalpalaceparktrust.org/ Crystal Palace Park Trust]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064743/https://secure.croydon.gov.uk/akscroydon/images/att3387.pdf Upper Norwood Triangle Conservation Plan]
*[http://www.beckenhamhistory.co.uk/flashNifties/gallery4.html Historical images of Crystal Palace] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918220049/http://www.beckenhamhistory.co.uk/flashNifties/gallery4.html |date=18 September 2017 }}
*[http://www.thetransmitter.co.uk/ The Transmitter&nbsp;– local magazine]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090126080925/http://www.uppernorwoodlibrary.org/ Upper Norwood Library]
*[http://www.virtualnorwood.com/ Virtual Norwood&nbsp;– community web site]
*[http://www.norwoodsociety.co.uk/ The Norwood Society]

{{LB Bromley}}
{{LB Croydon}}
{{LB Lambeth}}
{{LB Lewisham}}
{{LB Southwark}}
{{Areas of London}}
{{Capital Ring Walking Route | locale=Crystal Palace | back=[[Grove Park, Lewisham|Grove Park]] | forward=[[Streatham]] | A=3 | B=4 }}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Crystal Palace, London| ]]
[[Category:Areas of London]]
[[Category:Districts of the London Borough of Bromley]]
[[Category:Districts of the London Borough of Croydon]]
[[Category:Districts of the London Borough of Lambeth]]
[[Category:Districts of the London Borough of Lewisham]]
[[Category:Districts of the London Borough of Southwark]]
[[Category:Parks and open spaces in the London Borough of Bromley]]
[[Category:District centres of London]]