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These first-ever full-size dinosaurs were created by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins in 1854. They are now restored, but still in their original location in the south east corner of Crystal Palace Park, Penge , South London
©Peter Jordan
Crystal Palace Park. The Sphinx is part of what is left from the Crystal Palace and Mast is the TV transmitter Mast.
©George Griffin
Designed by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins (1807–1894), drawing on the advice of the palaeontologist and comparative anatomist Sir Richard Owen (1804–1892), and one of the few surviving pieces of the park as it was originally laid out.
©Christopher Hilton
The Crystal Palace Dinosaurs were commissioned in 1852 and unveiled in 1854. They were the first dinosaur sculptures in the world, pre-dating the publication of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species by six years. Designed and sculpted by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins with the help of Richard Owen, they were extensively restored in 2002 and Grade I listed in 2007. Subsequent to their unveiling, subsequent research and discoveries have shown that the models are to varying degrees inaccurate, but they still pull in the crowds.
©Ian Yarham
A number of plaster models of dinosaurs were installed in Crystal Palace Park in 1854, probably making this the oldest dinosaur theme park in the world.
©Malc McDonald
A close-up of some of the original 19th century dinosaur sculptures in Crystal Palace Park, recently renovated (though some people say they look less realistic now).
©Stephen Craven
One of several statues around the lake.
©Nigel Chadwick
The Crystal Palace Dinosaurs were commissioned in 1852 and unveiled in 1854. They were the first dinosaur sculptures in the world, pre-dating the publication of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species by six years. Designed and sculpted by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins with the help of Richard Owen, they were extensively restored in 2002 and Grade I listed in 2007. Subsequent to their unveiling, subsequent research and discoveries have shown that the models are to varying degrees inaccurate, but they still pull in the crowds. Both the Green Chain Walk and the Capital Ring long distance paths pass this point.
©Ian Yarham
Probably the most startling sight on London's Capital Ring walking route. The complex of dinosaur sculptures have Grade I listed status. For full descriptions and the importance of the structures visit http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-358429-prehistoric-animal-sculptures-geological. The pair of dinosaurs illustrated here are a pair of Iguanodon. See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Palace_Dinosaurs
©Julian Osley
©Nigel Chadwick
The Crystal Palace Dinosaurs were commissioned in 1852 and unveiled in 1854. They were the first dinosaur sculptures in the world, pre-dating the publication of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species by six years. Designed and sculpted by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins with the help of Richard Owen, they were extensively restored in 2002 and Grade I listed in 2007. Subsequent to their unveiling, subsequent research and discoveries have shown that the models are to varying degrees inaccurate, but they still pull in the crowds. Both the Green Chain Walk and the Capital Ring long distance paths pass this point.
©Ian Yarham
©Nigel Chadwick
Model dinosaur with a slight greenish hue, by the Lower Lake in Crystal Palace Park.
©Colin Smith
Designed by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins (1807–1894), drawing on the advice of the palaeontologist and comparative anatomist Sir Richard Owen (1804–1892), and one of the few surviving pieces of the park as it was originally laid out. This particular creature, the Iguanodon, is the one sculpture in which Hawkins and Owen's depiction departs notably from modern knowledge. At the time, no complete Iguanodon skeleton had been found, and Owen surmised a heavy, quadruped form by analogy with modern lizards; subsequent discoveries suggest that the Iguanodon was slimmer in build and often stood on its hind legs to reach the tops of trees. In particular, Owen was puzzled by a single sharp, thornlike bone and surmised that it might be a small horn, putting it on the end of the nose like a little rhinoceros horn: later discoveries of more complete skeletons, which have two such bones, have shown that it was actually a sharp, curved thumb.
©Christopher Hilton
Designed by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins (1807–1894), drawing on the advice of the palaeontologist and comparative anatomist Sir Richard Owen (1804–1892), and one of the few surviving pieces of the park as it was originally laid out.
©Christopher Hilton

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