Alexandra Palace

Historical Site Victorian entertainment venue and public park in north London

Alexandra Palace crowns a North London ridge with a Victorian entertainment complex and a large public park. People come for concert programming, panoramic city views, an ice rink and weekend fairs.

Main image

Alexandra Palace is a Victorian entertainment and exhibition building in north London, within the Borough of Haringey, originally opened in the 1870s and set in a large public park. It is a prominent cultural venue and broadcasting landmark in the city.

Inside and around the palace visitors find concert halls, exhibition spaces, a theatre and public areas, plus a BBC transmitter that pioneered public television broadcasts from 1936. The surrounding Alexandra Park covers roughly 196 acres and includes a boating lake, formal green spaces and elevated viewpoints offering clear views across London to the city skyline.

The original palace was opened in 1873, damaged by fire shortly afterwards and rebuilt and reopened in the mid 1870s. Over the 20th century the building has served varied roles including entertainment, broadcasting and public events; the site has been restored and adapted repeatedly following fires and wartime uses.

The palace sits on a ridge in north London approximately 7 kilometres from central London landmarks; the nearest railway and underground connections are in Wood Green and Alexandra Palace station. The parkland and terraces face south and provide panoramic city views.

  • Panoramic views: The palace sits on a high ridge about 7 kilometres north of central London and provides one of the city's well-known panoramic viewpoints.
  • Event venue schedule: A mix of concerts, exhibitions, fairs and an ice rink operate on site throughout the year; checking the events calendar is advised before visiting.

What to See #

  • Alexandra Palace building: A late-19th-century palace complex containing event halls, a theatre and exhibition spaces, set on a ridge with panoramic views across north London.
  • Alexandra Palace Theatre: Alexandra Palace Theatre, an indoor Victorian theatre originally opened in 1875 and used for concerts, theatre and live events.
  • Transmitter and broadcasting site: A BBC transmission mast and studio complex on the palace site that was the origin point for regular public television broadcasts from 1936.
  • Alexandra Park: Alexandra Park, a public park of roughly 196 acres surrounding the palace, with a boating lake, sports facilities and open viewpoints to central London.
Alexandra Palace
Alexandra Palace Way, Wood Green, London N22 7AY, United Kingdom
51.5939, -0.1303
Park: Daily dawn-dusk; building hours vary with events
Park access free; events and exhibitions in the palace have ticketed admission (varies)

How to Get to Alexandra Palace #

Alexandra Palace is a short walk from Alexandra Palace and Wood Green stations. Great Northern trains from Finsbury Park and Moorgate call at Alexandra Palace station; Piccadilly Line (Tube) to Wood Green and a short bus or walk also work.

Tips for Visiting Alexandra Palace #

  • Walk the perimeter for the best views over north London-on clear days the city skyline is visible from the palace terraces.
  • Check the event calendar-Alexandra Palace is less a museum than a venue, and concerts, skating rinks, and fairs often dominate the schedule.
  • Arrive by train to Alexandra Palace station (Great Northern)-the short uphill walk gives a dramatic reveal of the palace and park.

Best Time to Visit Alexandra Palace #

Visit spring-summer for park activities and outdoor views; check the palace events calendar for indoor experiences.

Spring and summer
April-September · 10-25°C (50-77°F)
Park is in full use-walks, informal sports, and events; rooftop views are clearer on warmer days.
Autumn and winter
October-March · 0-12°C (32-54°F)
Fewer events but dramatic winter light; indoor events (concerts, exhibitions) continue year-round.

Weather & Climate near Alexandra Palace #

Climate

Alexandra Palace's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (649 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
34°
Warmest Month
-8°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with 65 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

65 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.2h daylight

February

February is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

42 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.8h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

46 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
13.7h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
17°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

48 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
15.4h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

68 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
10° 20°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

56 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
16.3h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

44 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
15.9h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
12° 22°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
14.4h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
10° 19°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

59 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
12.5h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.5h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

63 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.7h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

62 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.7h daylight

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