PIN The Alexandra Palace

Victorian Extravaganza in North London

Fondly known by its local moniker of the ‘Ally Pally’, the Alexandra Palace is a treasure-trove for the explorative visitor. Designed as a Victorian leisure project, it is situated in North London (nearest tube Wood Green, Piccadilly line) and is a highly original destination for anyone looking for interesting places outside Central London

The park in which the building sits opened in 1863, with the Palace itself opening ten years later in 1873. Each year it is visited by over 3 million visitors who are able to attend a full schedule of eclectic events. It is boasted, by locals, that the views from the Park are the best in London. There is an ‘on-site’ pub and lots of cafes, a seasonal ice rink, a boating lake and 196 acres of land to stroll around in. The park is very family-friendly including a children’s soft play adventure area, a pitch and put golf course, a deer enclosure and a farmers market on Sundays.

History

The first Palace was designed and built by Alfred Meeson using materials from the 1862 International Exhibition in Kensington. The building company, Alexandra Park Co., experienced financial difficulties and the project was delayed. Help arrived and the building to open on 24 May 1873 bad tragedy struck sixteen days later when the Palace was burnt to the ground.

The second Palace, designed by John Johnson, opened on 1st May 1875 two years of the earlier conflagration. The new building covered an area of seven and a half acres and had a Great Hall that seated 14,000. In addition, there was a Willis Organ, a Palm Court and a theatre modelled on Drury Lane. Further features included a 3,500 seater concert room, museums and a plethora of banqueting suites and watering holes. Outside, the park including a trotting ring and cycle racing track – all enclosed within a racecourse. There was a cricket ground, lakes, a Japanese village, tennis courts, and a funfair. If the Victorian visitors were still bored they could visit the lido.

Sadly on-going financial difficulties meant that the Palace was closed for two years in 1889 and a portion of the Park to the was sold to a developer. Several philanthropic champions emerged to purchase the Park and Palace for £150,000 which reopened on 18 May 1901.

The grounds closed during the First World War and used as a transit camp for refugees and later for internees. In the 1920s things returned to normal until financial problems returned a decade later. In 1934 the emerging BBC occupied the east wing of the building from where it made the first TV transmission on 2 Nov 1936. The Palace and Park suffered at the hands of the Luftwaffe during the Second World War after which it was eventually restored to some of its previous glory and reopened in 1957.

Owner

Lucy TripTide

Lucy is a TripTide stalwart and has been with the company since inception. She is a font of knowledge of all things in our metropolis but she has a special penchant for London's historical past. She says:"London is a multi-layered confection of hi...