Alexandra Palace

Good place to visit on a sunny day, lay in the garden or just roam about the place. One can see for miles towards London in a clear day.

Alexandra palace located on top of a hill is a spectacular historic building symbolizing the birth of televised broadcast (BBC).
It is now used for music concerts. It is also located next to a massive ice rink.
Great views of the city can be seen from Alexandra palace.

Alexandra Palace
Petite visite cet été lors d’un festival de bouffe et musique. L’endroit est assez excentré mais propose une superbe vue sur Londres depuis les hauteurs des jardins.
On y accède en environ 30mn depuis le centre, par overground, puis bus (ou marche 5/​10mn un peu en pente).
L’entrée du Palais en lui même se fait gratuitement mais à part l’énorme rosace qui décore la façade il n’y a pas grand chose dedans.
L’endroit est assez connu pour ses immenses pelouses, la vue magnifique, le calme ambiant, la patinoire et les dizaines d’événements par mois. Ça va des concerts, aux championnats de fléchettes ou de ping-​pong. Bref, de quoi s’amuser.

Increíble sitio para organizar conciertos en Londres. Es otro rollo completamente distinto al O2. Para empezar no tiene gradas, es solo pista, y segundo está completamente orientado a ser recinto de conciertos y actividades, con mogollón de restaurantes donde comer.
Yo fui recientemente a ver el concierto de Florence and The Machine, y fue una de las mejores experiencias de mi vida.
Lo único malo, pues que el lugar está bastante alejado de lo que es el centro de Londres y tienes que ir hasta allí en metro y autobús. Para ir ni tan mal, pero para volver cuando todo el mundo sale del recinto y quiere volver a sus casas al mismo tiempo un poco caótico la verdad.

From the outside I don’t think you can beat Alexandra Palace. The views are incredible and it’s a fantastic building. I also think that for the actual gig itself (my only experience there so far) it definitely does the job. Big space, decent sound although the layout is slightly strange.
What lets this place down is everything else. They have tried to make it into a mini festival type effort but it’s not needed. If I want to eat very average, overpriced food I can do that pretty much anywhere! The one saving grace was the Bodean’s food truck but even that wasn’t great. The absolute cherry on the cake though was the bar. £5 for a pint of Fosters. You are having a laugh!

This is very local to me and very dear to my heart and it is an institution of North London with wonderful views overlooking London a great gig venue as well as event space, ice rink and even a pitch and putt course. It’s just a great space for families and locals and a great selling point to living within walking distance.

Amazing day at street food and craft day festival. Brilliant location with amazing views of London. Pitch n putt is also good fun! Lovely bar in the palm court.

Possibly one of the best places in London and for sure top 5 in North London. There top venues out there mostly every weekend — all sort of stuff. There is great bar with Morretti Italian Lager that isn’t available so much in other places. It also seems to taste better from draft than from the bottle. Funny but in many Italian restaurants you may not get it from draft. If you wine lover you will be pleased with the fact there is Spanish Rioha. It’s best in for romantic go out but really it’s just fantastic place to relax for all. It’s peaceful. Many benches inside the park it’s large and epic in Summer. On the back you will find mini lake. Its my favorite place since 2007 and I have made number of outstanding deep memories over there.

Went to the drive in cinema here last night, which seems to not have it’s own page.
The sound through the car stereo was great, but I went in my convertible, expecting to be able to put the top down and watch through the roof. unfortunately the screen is not high enough, and I ended up having to sit very low in my seat as we’d been parked near the front.
Would have ben better if we’d been a bit further back so that it could have been more comfortable, but still a positive evening

I haven’t been yet this year, but on the three or four occasions that I visited Alexandra Palace (or Ally Pally as it’s known) over the years, I’ve always had a great time. I’ve mainly been for gigs, as it’s a wonderful venue, due to its size and grandeur, plus the views over London from there are unbeatable. Definitely somewhere to see a major act, you’ll be blown away. I have seen Bonobo, Sander Van Doorn, Fake Blood and Eric Prydz there, and am off to see Prodigy in a week’s time!

Alexandra Palace is an underrated venue in London. The view is breathtaking from the Palace grounds, and the little known park has a beautiful hillside, perfect for picnics and playing games when London is lucky enough to have some sunshine.
The ice rink is becoming more and more popular, the sessions are fun and the staff are helpful, but it can get very busy so definitely worth pre-​booking rink tickets online.

Alexandra palace se trouve dans la zone 2 de Londres
Ce lieu change en fonction des saisons
Sans oublier la vue à couper le soufflé (et quand il fait beau)

Ice-​Skating,
I don’t know whether it was because it was 2 days after Christmas or whether or not this is now the atmosphere at Alexandra Palace because on previous occasions way into the past I recalling having a decent to good experience, but, not on this occassion.
Experience:
It all started when I arrived. The afternoon session during the weekends ran from 2:00pm to 4:30pm so we arrived for about 2:15pm to our surprise there was a queue. A queue that fortunately did move swiftly but was quiet lengthy to start. Once we got to the cashier I asked the employee at the front counter how many people are currently inside the rink and to my surprise she answered that it was just over 300 people skating that Sunday afternoon.
Next stop was going to collect our skates from the skate hire section. This is where customer service was a let down. Because I go ice-​skating at least twice a year I asked a the employee a question about a skating myth I once heard which was «is it better to get one size up when picking skates for more comfort» to my surprise the guy just stared at me and said very bluntly «do you want a size 9 or a 10» without acknowledging the question nor give a hint of care.
Oh the lockers. Without ranting on I must add that they cost 50p and are non-​refundable. Even worse a situation when you insert a 50p coin after placing all of your items into the locker to find out that the looker has swallowed your cash yet not locked your belongings away. Which meant inserting my belongings into another locker and paying 50p again.
Ice-​Skating as a whole was decent. I go twice a year and always find it enjoyable but not on this occassion. It was cramped, no visible stewards just in case there was an accident, so cramped that you could not skate normally and everything moved at snail pace, music was on and off and not consistently on like in the past and it all just felt a little upsetting knowing that I have been to Alexandra Palace Ice-​Rink for over 5years if not longer…

A friend bought my wife and I tickets to see the Libertines at Alexandra Palace after we had seen them in Hyde Park with him and his girlfriend just over 2 months earlier back in July. The Hyde Park gig had been amazing and lived up to all expectations, the Libertines are one of our favourite bands of all time and they had put on a retrospective set to remember. However the day was marred by poor sound quality, overcrowding which became a worry at times and bad organisation. The band had been so good however that my friend had got the tickets as a wedding present for us and them as we tied the knot shortly after the Hyde Park show.
We stayed in a rather ropey hotel to say the least in Muswell Hill (review to come!) and while our digs weren’t that special, Muswell Hill was nice enough, felt more suburb than I had experienced in London with a slightly more relaxed atmosphere than the hustle & bustle of the central city. The streets were full of chain restaurants and bars and we stopped in the Giraffe for 2 for 1 melon Margaritas to wet the whistle before heading to the gig.
The walk down from Muswell Hill was a pleasure, we grabbed a desperado or 2 and walked down through Alexandra Park, a well kept picturesque London park adjacent to the Venue.
When we reached Alexandra Palace it was quite a site to behold and the sheer size of it was a surprise. I joked to everyone that it reminded me of the Swindon Oasis due to it’s glass roof but it’s a little more impressive than that!
Upon entry to the grounds of the palace you are greeted by a before drinks bar and various food outlets which looked pretty good, I almost purchased a baretto and a pint but instead we decided to cue to get inside the venue. It took a minute or 2 to get in.
The decision to bypass the outdoor food and drink options was a good one, as when we passed security we entered a huge indoor courtyard complete with bandstand and seating area in the middle (a chaz and dave tribute band were playing on the band stand!) and various good quality street food style stalls and bars around the outside.
My friend and I were most impressed with the variety of drinks on offer compared to your average Academy with Cheddar Valley and Thatchers Gold Cider along with a selection of craft beers on tap! We hit the Cheddar Valley!
The wife was feeling a little peckish and headed for the noodle bar, she returned with teriyaki beef noodles which were amazing!
After a Cheddar Valley or 4 we headed to the main concert hall to catch Peace who were the main support act to play before the Libs. The main hall is long and vast. There was a lot of room to move about but I presumed it would feel a lot more crammed in once it got nearer to the headliners. Considering the size of the hall the acoustics were excellent and the stage production was minimal yet quality. I didn’t know a lot of Peace songs except for their chart number but really enjoyed them.
The Libertines were up next and again played a classic retrospective set with Pete Doherty & Carl Barrat also chipping in with solo numbers.
Although it got busier for the main band I was surprised at how much room there was to move around still, considering it was a sold out show which was quite a contrast to Hyde Park!
As gig venues go I can highly recommend Alexandra Palace and it made me realise how the setting can make such a difference to the atmosphere and the time had. If there’s an act you wish to see that are playing at Ali Pali I highly recommend getting a ticket :)

Wow Alexandra Palace is a pretty incredible venue! We went on Friday to see the Libertines gig and were really impressed! Ally Pally sits on the edge of a hill and offers an incredible view of the city, there’s a bar with a great terrace to enjoy the view.
Inside the venue is huge, the entrance hall has several bars and food stalls around the side. One of the bars was a particular favourite of ours, the served good cider such as cheddar valley for reasonable prices, being from the West Country this went down well.
There’s a cool seating area through the middle of the entrance hall, which has faux grass and comfy seats, there was also a few singers performing which was great to enjoy a few warm up drinks to!
Inside the music hall is a large open space, there’s loads of room and despite it being a sell out gig it felt like we had loads of room to move about in. The sound was great and the libertines certainly smashed it!
The event was run really well, all the staff seemed to know what they are doing and were really friendly.
Alexandra palace is a awesome venue, I would definitely go back and I would recommend a visit.

Venue with view. Done.
First off: I have this childish ‘thing’ where I still, to this day, am predisposed to loving things that have my name in them. ALEXANDRA Palace? YES THAT SOUNDS PERFECT.
So it’s especially nice when things live up to expectation.
Even before getting there I appreciated the 1 pound shuttle (covering both to/​fro) from the Tube stop up the hill to the Pally. Can’t confirm that this is a service always in effect but says this girl in heels who isn’t slick at mastering them on hills: thanks.
Get to the venue and turn around: looking down from a height there is an amazing view of London in front of you — a particular vantage point I’d never seen. Canary Wharf, BT Tower, Primrose Hill… we kindof walked around in awe pointing out places we saw and recognised (and places we thought we saw and recognised. «Hey, is that my go-​to kebab shop there in the distance?» «Prolly not» «Pffft»).
Once you’ve soaked up the view… on to the Palace itself. I saw The National there and they said, «being on set for The Hunger Games prepared me for this venue». ’nuff said? It’s grand, with high ceilings and gilded mirrors and architectural details that I don’t know the terms for.
Getting through the doors was fine and easy and seamless and shoving-​free. Ally Pally then opens up into a big, erm… market-​place kind area. For concerts it has kindof a ‘beer garden’ feel to it, with different food (BURRITOS AND SAUSAGES) vendors and both boozy and non-​boozy dranks. What I loved — in addition to the specific offerings — was the fact that it didn’t feel frenzied or super-​packed with people. Much appreciated.
The main hall is excellent for music: great acoustics, good visibility no matter how far back you happen to be standing, and the hi-​def screens were unexpected but very welcome.
I will be looking for future concerts and events at Alexandra Palace… it’s a really special place.
Unilocal note: venue essential that deserves special calling out — bathrooms! Many stalls, and clean! Hallelujah.

I come to Ally Pally annually for the Knitting & Stitching Show. It’s a great big venue with plenty of space for exhibitors and very clean bathrooms (which is a big deal during a large event!). Nice, if pricey, food options and a GREAT shuttle from Wood Green Station which is FREE for events. On a clear day the views are marvelous and on a rainy/​foggy day the views are magical. Can’t beat it!

I like to combine a visit to Ally Pally Farmers Market with a leisurely Sunday late-​morning stroll along the Parkland Walk from Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace… by the time I get to the latter destination, I usually have walked up quite an appetite and the offerings at this market are a pleasing sight for sore feet.
There’s nothing «special» about this Farmers Market in terms of what kind of stalls are there: the usual stall selling bangers, a Middle Eastern food stall, Jamaican/​Carribean food and of course fruit and veg stands, meats, and other delicacies… a paradise for the London Yuppie!
The tricky part about this Farmers Market is that its location switches depending on whether or not there’s something going on at the convention centre within Alexandra Palace: if that is the case, the parking lot — where the market typically takes place — is used for its intended purpose and the Farmers Market will be relocated to a nearby school yard. My tip: I usually never know where it will be, but I’m just following the string of people with shopping bags…

One of the better venues and outdoor views of the city in London.
Pros:
— Easy to get to, close to buses and the underground
— Great Acoustics
— Beautiful Venue
— There is no such thing as a «bad» standing area. Their stage is elevated enough so that even a short girl like me, 5’3 was able to see the stage.
— Eating area and stalls just right outside the door entrance and was kept clean the entire time.
— Walk outside and you have one of the best views in London. Alexandra Palace sits on a hill, so you have views of the city.
Cons:
— Larger gigs, you may need to wait anywhere from 45 minutes to a couple hours for a bus.
I don’t have an issue for gigs and curfews, but I believe the few gigs that I had gone to ended by 11pm. Not an issue for me, but it may be to some who want to be out later. Also, sometimes the stairs out front get closed off so you need to walk the long way around. again, not an issue for me.

I’ve seen a couple of gigs at Alexandra Palace and it’s a great venue. Despite the gig last Saturday being sold out there was still plenty of room near the stage if you don’t mind watching from the sides. There’s a big bar within the event space itself plus there are loads of food stalls and bars in the adjacent area (obviously only during big events, unlike the Sunday antique fair).
The main gents toilets are plentiful but a staircase leading up to them causes a bottleneck despite there being plenty of availability. Not so sure about the ladies but seeing as they’d brought in a ton of portaloos I reckon there’s not quite so many there.
Outside, the views of London are jaw-​droppingly stunning and from this height you can truly appreciate the shard’s sky scraping properties.
They usually have fireworks here in November and it get’s incredibly packed (they are good).
BUT, as much as I enjoy my experiences at Alexandra Palace. I do not enjoy what follows. Alexandra Palace is like a transport black hole… wanna catch a bus, you can to Finsbury Park but good luck with that when there are so many people the buses are diverted away. Need a train, OK off you go but it doesn’t really go anywhere useful and can finish quite early. Sod it I’ll drive, great loads of parking spaces but try leaving with everyone else and you’ve got at least 50 mins wait to get out of the car park.
So walk or cycle is my advice. Then you can enjoy whatever you’re there to see without having the most frustrating exit experience ever upon completion.

I love Alexandra Palace, and I can’t believe I haven’t reviewed it sooner! Especially as I live on its doorstep.
The Palace is a beautiful building, and if you ever get the chance to go inside do! I’ve been in for a number of craft exhibitions (various charges) and most recently for Holland Heinekin House the Dutch national hospitality house for the Olympics. There’s also an ice-​rink which I’m yet to screw up the courage to use!
I could talk about the park, facilities and view, but they would all be better placed in a review of the park itself. Of course, if you’re visiting the Palace, you will undoubtably make use of the wonderful park too!

Ein weitläufiger Park mit viel Hügeln, Bäumen und Wind im Norden Londons, für Familien ideal. Hier gibt es einige Angebote wie ein Kindercafe, Bäume zum Erklimmen und Schaukeln, und viel freie Fläche, um sein eigenes Sport– und Erholungsprogramm zu gestalten.
Im Alexandra Park steht auf der höchsten Erhebung ein Palast, der schon betagt ist, demzufolge eine lange Geschichte hat. Immer noch wichtig ist dieser Palast als Austragungsort für Darttuniere.
Weithin sichtbar ist der Sendeturm, der wohl heute noch im Einsatz ist für Fernsehübertragungen. Von hier oben hat man einen sehr guten Blick auf die Skyline Londons.
Erreichbar ist das Erholungsgebiet sowohl öffentlich über die Picadillyline als auch mit Fahrzeug und natürlich zu Fuß.
Das Foto ist von Jamila.

One of the better music venues in London for the bigger acts. I think more bands would play here were it not so hard to get to and isolated.
What I like about Ally Pally is the grand feel about the place. It’s what Victorian London is all about. Extravagant Palaces, just for shits and giggles.
For gigs it’s usually a decent set up — through the ticket gates, straight into a big hall full of bars and food options. Like a mini indoor festival.
One star knocked off for the sound quality. It can be hit and miss.
One star re-​instated for the view of our city. I love you, London.

We strolled up here one afternoon to check out the panoramic view of London at the top. Along the way, there are some beautiful grounds including a wildlife preserve area complete with deer! Pretty neat. There’s also a little swan/​duck pond you can rent paddleboats on, but the water was green and smelled super bad so I passed on that. The bathrooms at the pond house are REVOLTING — and on top of being disgusting, there’s no soap to wash your hands with! Ew!
The big «palace» at the top is impressive from a distance, but when you get close, you see that it’s fallen into disrepair. Kinda sad and depressing. But the view from there of the city is indeed pretty rad.