The Palace was located at the top of the vast 200-acre park in a commanding position and, judging from contemporary pictures, it dominated the skyline of the Upper Norwood area.
Intended to rival great continental spectacles such as the Palace of Versailles, the park was designed with the wow factor in mind with grand fountains and water cascades, set within Italianate terraces.
The Palace and gardens were initially a big hit, attracting a reported 2 million visitors per year in the first 30 years of its opening. Changes in tastes and familiarity meant the popularity of the Palace declined around the turn of the century and never fully recovered.
In 1936, the Crystal Palace burned down in spectacular fire which was said to have been seen across the whole of London. Sadly, nothing of the Palace remains today, however the park still has plenty of visual reminders of its history with plenty to explore.