Sir Joseph Paxton’s bust returns to Crystal Palace Park terraces

Priya Harrington 2026-06-09 10:45 2 min read

Aerial view of a Victorian-style bandstand in a lush green park landscape.

The bust of Sir Joseph Paxton, the visionary designer behind the original Crystal Palace and its surrounding grounds, has been returned to its historic home on the Italian Terraces in Crystal Palace Park.

Following a professional steam cleaning and restoration late last year, the bust was lifted onto a new plinth this week. The relocation marks a significant milestone in the ongoing multi-million-pound regeneration project, which aims to restore the park’s Victorian heritage features to their former prominence.

Restoration of the Italian Terraces

The Italian Terraces, which serve as the stone-stepped vantage point where the Crystal Palace once stood, are currently undergoing extensive structural restoration. The decision to return the bust to this specific location was made to ensure that Paxton’s likeness once again overlooks the landscape he designed.

This project is co-delivered by Bromley Council and the Crystal Palace Park Trust, with additional support from a £5m grant provided by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Specialist consultants led by HTA Design have developed the restoration plans, while construction partner Maylim is executing the site works.

Sir Joseph Paxton’s bust returns to Crystal Palace Park terraces

Visitor access during regeneration

While the park remains open to the public, visitors should note that the Italian Terraces themselves remain cordoned off for safety during this phase of the works. The area is expected to reopen to the public later this summer once the current restoration phase is completed.

Crystal Palace Park Trust, which became the official custodians of the site in 2023, continues to manage footfall and provides ongoing updates regarding path redirections and site access for those visiting the park.

Source: Bromley Council

Context & actions About this article

Source check Verified Local Report

This report is based on the official project announcement from Bromley Council regarding the ongoing park regeneration.

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