The 1873 'People's Palace' atop a hill in north London — a vast Victorian exhibition hall built for the masses, with sweeping views over the city and acres of surrounding parkland. 'Ally Pally' has been a concert venue, a pioneering BBC television studio (the first regular broadcasts went out from here), and a beloved local landmark through fire and reinvention. The hilltop position makes the panorama a draw in itself. For visitors, it's both a piece of broadcasting and entertainment history and a great day out — a grand Victorian hall with one of the finest free views in London spread out below.
Location
Alexandra Park, London
Map
Insider Intel
The East Court's glass-domed ceilings over super-sized Victorian columns — the one grand Victorian interior here you can walk into free, restored with colour work quoting Owen Jones.
Weekday mornings avoid event-day security and car-park restrictions. The park is open around the clock; sunset is the sought-after slot for the guided roof walk.
Palace and park are free. The Victorian Theatre is not open for casual visits — only for ticketed performances. The 130-metre Summit roof walk must be booked ahead, meets at East Court, is non-refundable and allows phones only, in a purchased pouch.