Alexandra Palace

Alexandra Palace is considered one of the most famous cultural and entertainment centres in the northern part of London. It is also known as ‘Ally Pally’. The palace combines historical heritage, modern halls, a park, an ice rink and large-scale events. Both concerts and sports tournaments are held here.

History

Alexandra Palace was opened in 1873 as a public cultural and leisure centre for Londoners. The idea behind its creation was to give people access to art, education and entertainment regardless of their social status, as a kind of palace of justice for the townspeople. However, just 16 days after the grand opening, the building was destroyed by fire. This was a serious setback, but the palace was quickly restored and reopened its doors to visitors in 1875.

In the 20th century, Alexandra Palace played an important role in the development of British television. It housed one of the BBC's first television centres, from which regular broadcasts were made. Gradually, the complex was transformed into a multifunctional hall for large-scale events. Its walls have hosted concerts, festivals, art exhibitions and major sporting events, including the darts final.

Over time, the palace has become a symbol of North London. It hosted The X Factor, the Brit Awards, television projects and concerts by world stars such as Prince William and Kate Middleton. Fireworks are regularly held on the grounds, and Christmas is celebrated with fairs and festive programmes. Despite the changes, Alexandra Palace retains its historical appearance and remains an important cultural centre of the state.

What is located in Alexandra Palace?

Today, Alexandra Palace is a large complex that combines different spaces:

• The central place is occupied by the Great Hall, a large concert hall with an impressive capacity of up to 10,000 people. Concerts, festivals, sports tournaments and mass shows are held here.
• Inside, there is also a theatre, a conference hall and exhibition spaces. Events dedicated to art and contemporary cultural projects are held here.
• The indoor year-round ice rink is particularly popular.

• During the festive season, there is a Christmas market on the premises, carols are sung, and a festive atmosphere is created. You can even meet monkeys here.
• There are cafés and restaurants, recreation areas, and a weekend market.

The entrance system is equipped with turnstiles for convenient ticket control. A spacious park with panoramic views of London surrounds the palace. In warm weather, families relax here, open-air festivals are held, and fireworks are set off.

Events at Alexandra Palace

The following events have been held at Alexandra Palace:

• World Darts Championship and Final (professional darts tournament);
• The X Factor television show;
• The Brit Awards ceremony;
• Major concerts by international artists;
• an electronic music and alternative scene festival;
• a Christmas fair and festive shows;
• contemporary art exhibitions featuring famous photographs;
• sports tournaments and charity events;
• family festivals with fireworks;
• seasonal ice skating.

Where is Alexandra Palace located?

Alexandra Palace is located in the northern part of London, on a high hill in the Hornsey area. Thanks to its elevated position, it offers impressive views of the city centre, historic streets, bridges and modern neighbourhoods. On a clear day, the panorama covers a significant part of the city, which is why the palace grounds are considered one of the best viewing platforms in London.

The complex is surrounded by a spacious park covering an area of approximately 80 hectares. It features walking paths, a garden, green lawns for picnics and areas for active recreation. In summer, open-air festivals are held here.

Nearby are residential areas, Wood Green Market, cafes and restaurants. The nearest shopping centre is just a few minutes' drive away.

Alexandra Palace Map

The official map of the complex helps visitors get their bearings in advance and choose convenient locations. The territory includes several key areas:

• main entrance with turnstiles;
• Great Hall, as the main hall for concerts and darts finals;
• West Hall, as a space for exhibitions and festivals;
• theatre and conference centre;
• indoor ice rink;
• food courts and restaurants;
• car park;
• walking routes through the park;
• access to the railway and station.

The plan shows the location of entrances, halls, service areas and open spaces. This is especially important on days when large events are held, when there is a significant flow of visitors and tickets are checked at several entrances. Thanks to well-thought-out navigation and marked keys, visitors can easily find their way around even during a large-scale show or concert.

How to get to Alexandra Palace?

The palace is easily accessible from various parts of London thanks to the well-developed transport system.

By train

The fastest way is to take the train. The railway connects the city centre with Alexandra Palace station. The train departs from Moorgate station and arrives in approximately 20 minutes. The station is within walking distance of the entrance.

By tube

The nearest tube station is Wood Green (Piccadilly line). From there, you can take a bus or walk about 20 minutes through the park.

By bus

Several city bus routes run to the complex. The bus stop is located next to the main entrance, which is convenient in bad weather or when attending evening events.

By car

Parking is available on site for guests. On days when major events are taking place, it is recommended to book spaces in advance as capacity is limited.

On foot and by bike

There are walking routes through the park. In good weather, many people choose to walk to enjoy the views of London and the natural atmosphere around Alexandra Palace.

Information for visitors

It is advisable to plan your visit to Alexandra Palace in advance, especially if you are attending a major event. We recommend purchasing tickets online, as there may be queues at the entrance on days when popular shows are taking place, and admission is via a turnstile with electronic ticket verification.

Before your visit, it is important to consider the weather, as some events take place in the open park area. The ice rink is particularly popular during the cold season. Skating is available for all ages, but on public holidays and at Christmas, it is better to book sessions in advance.

There are cafés and rest areas, toilets, a cloakroom and an information centre on site. For the convenience of guests, there are maps and plans of the complex so that visitors can quickly find the right hall, theatre or exhibition space.

Hotels near Alexandra Palace

If your event ends late in the evening, it is convenient to stay at a hotel near the palace. The Wood Green and Hornsey areas offer both budget options and more comfortable mid-range hotels:

• The Bull & Last. Located 2.6 km from Alexandra Palace. The hotel has a terrace, restaurant, bar and free Wi-Fi.
• Southgate Hotel London. Located 2.6 km from Alexandra Palace. The hotel has a fitness centre, private parking, terrace and restaurant.
• Forest House Hotel. Located 1.5 km from Alexandra Palace.

Restaurants near Alexandra Palace

There are a variety of restaurants and cafés within walking distance. Near Wood Green Underground Station and Alexandra Palace Railway Station, you will find:

• Grove Café. A popular spot among locals, serving breakfast and lunch.
• Alexandra Palace Farmers' Market. The market is held every Sunday and offers fresh produce and handicrafts.
• La Gaffe. A Michelin-starred restaurant serving Italian cuisine.

During large events, some of the food outlets operate directly on the palace grounds. This is convenient if the concert or show lasts several hours.

Parking

Paid parking is available on site. The number of spaces is limited, especially on days when major events are taking place. The capacity of the parking area depends on the format of the event. It is recommended to check the conditions on the official website in advance and reserve a space when purchasing tickets. City parking areas are also available on adjacent streets, but parking time restrictions should be taken into account.

Contact details and postcode

Address: Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY

Postcode: N22 7AY

To check the event schedule, purchase tickets and find out about accessibility, please use the contact form on the website or contact the complex's information centre.

Website

Facebook

YouTube

Instagram

Frequently asked questions