Peter Dickinson was born on 21 October 1925 in Walberswick. His father, Eric, was a partner in the brokerage firm Dickinson and Sidebottom. Peter Dickinson grew up in a home on Grove End Road in St. John's Wood, and attended Westminster School from 1938 to 1941. Having developed a passion for drawing, Dickinson entered the Architectural Association School of Architecture in 1942. After two years of school, Dickinson served in the Grenadier Guards beginning in 1944 and was honourably discharged on 26 November 1945. After the War, Dickinson returned to AA, studying with H. T. Cadbury-Brown and graduating in February 1948. Upon graduation, his first job was with architect Wells Coates. During his remaining time in England, Dickinson worked on a variety of small projects. While on a business trip to England, Toronto architect Forsey Page of Page and Steele discovered Dickinson and offered him the position of head designer at the firm.