Hotels in Alexandra Palace

Standing proud on a North London hill, Alexandra Palace is one of the country’s best known venues. As well as hosting sell-out concerts and gigs, ‘Ally Pally’ has a year-round roster of food festivals, collectors’ fairs, film screenings, sports and fitness events and international expos. With so much to see and do, you’ll want to book one of our Alexandra Palace hotels in advance so you can unwind after an action-packed day or night. 

Where in London is Alexandra Palace?
Alexandra Palace is situated in the London Borough of Haringey between Wood Green and Muswell Hill.

Why is Alexandra Palace called Ally Pally?
The palace was named after the Princess of Wales, Alexandra of Denmark, who married Prince Edward. It’s nickname ‘Ally Pally’ was popularized by the English actor and singer Gracie Fields.

What is the Alexandra Palace famous for?
Alexandra Palace has a rich and varied history. On opening in 1875, it boasted a concert hall, theatre, circus, racetrack and boating lake. Its place as an entertainment venue has remained unchanged over the years although it is now most famous as both an iconic gig venue (The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and Queen have all played there) and as the home of the PDC World Darts Championship.

Who owns Alexandra Palace?
It was placed in public ownership in 1900 by an Act of Parliament, to remain ‘a place of public resort and recreation’ and remains publicly owned to this day.

Why was Ally Pally built and how old it is?
The park surrounding Alexandra Palace was opened to the public in 1863 with the palace itself constructed over the next decade and opening in 1873. Tragically, it was destroyed by fire just 16 days later and had to be rebuilt on the same site, eventually opening again just two years later in 1875. Its original purpose was to offer the public a space for recreation, education and entertainment in North London, just as Crystal Palace did in the south.

Are there seats at Alexandra Palace or is it standing only?
For concerts in the Great Hall, Alexandra Palace is an all-standing venue although there are accessible tickets available online which include access to their viewing platform. Alexandra Palace Theatre has seated performances with dedicated wheelchair spaces in the stalls and circle areas.

Is Alexandra Palace indoor or outdoor?
It’s both an indoor and outdoor venue. The Palace itself is an indoor space but there is extensive outdoor space available to hire for various events.

Can you visit Alexandra Palace? Is it open to the public?
Alexandra Palace opens its doors to the public each September during Open House. At all other times of year you will need a ticket for a specific event or you will need to hire a space for your own event. 

What is there to do at Alexandra Palace?
Take your pick from a huge range of gigs, live comedy, sport, talks and theatre performances.

What is near Alexandra Palace?
As well as a varied programme of music, theatre, comedy and sport throughout the year, the Palace and surrounding park is full of things to do. There’s a Go Ape treetop adventure, a garden centre, children’s play area, skatepark, boating lake, farmers market and pitch and putt.

Is Alexandra Palace free?
You’ll need to buy a ticket for all performances and events at Alexandra Palace although you can stroll through the surrounding park for free. It offers spectacular, panoramic views of London so is an excellent way to while away a nice day in the capital.
 

How do you get to Alexandra Palace and how far is it from central London?
Alexandra Palace is about seven miles from central London and is easily accessible by rail, tube and bus. It has its own train station (fittingly titled Alexandra Palace) with regular trains running direct from Moorgate, through Highbury & Islington or from Kings Cross, changing at Finsbury Park.

If you’re taking the tube then aim for Wood Green underground station on the Piccadilly Line. Alexandra Palace is a short bus ride on the W3 up the hill from the station.Or you can catch the W3 all the way from Finsbury Park and Tottenham.

How do you get to Alexandra Palace by car?
It depends where in the country you’re driving from! Online mapping services and apps will be able to guide you from wherever you’re travelling from.

Is there parking at Alexandra Palace and is it free or how much does it cost?
There are 1,200 free of charge parking spaces in the grounds. These are all on a first come first served basis and cannot be booked in advance.

Where can I park near Ally Pally?
If you miss out on one of the 1,200 free spaces in the grounds then there are plenty of car parks in the surrounding area, such as the The Mall Wood Green which is a mere 13 minutes away from the palace itself.

How do I get to Ally Pally by train?
It has its own train station (fittingly titled Alexandra Palace) with regular trains running direct from Moorgate, through Highbury & Islington or from Kings Cross, changing at Finsbury Park.

What is the nearest tube station to Alexandra Palace?
The nearest tube station is Wood Green.

What zone is Alexandra Palace station in and what tube and train lines is it on?
It is in zone 3 on the Piccadilly Line and on the Great Northern Route that forms part of the East Coast Main Line.

Can you use Oyster card to Alexandra Palace?
Yes you can, oyster card readers were installed at the station back in 2010.

How far is Alexandra Palace from Alexandra Palace Station?
Alexandra Palace is around half a mile away from Alexandra Palace Station.

How far is Alexandra Palace from Kings Cross and how do I get there?
Alexandra Palace is five miles away from Kings Cross. Take the Piccadilly Line to Wood Green and then jump on the W3 bus or walk up the hill on arrival.

How do I get from Victoria Station to Alexandra Palace?
There is no direct connection between the two, however you can take the tube to Finsbury Park on the Victoria Line and then change to the Piccadilly Line and head to Wood Green. Or you can get on the W3 bus from Finsbury Park which will take you straight up to Alexandra Palace.

How do I get from Liverpool Street to Alexandra Palace?
There’s a direct train between Liverpool Street Station and Alexandra Palace Station which takes approximately 20 minutes.

How do I get from St Pancras to Alexandra Palace?
There are a few options for travel from St Pancras to Alexandra Palace. You could walk the short distance to Kings Cross and take the tube to Wood Green on the Piccadilly Line from there. Or you could take the train to Finsbury Park and change there for either a direct train to Alexandra Palace or the W3 bus which will take you straight to the palace.

How do I get from Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace?
There is a direct train or tube from Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace.

How do I get from Euston to Alexandra Palace?
There are no direct trains between the two; you can take the Victoria Line by tube to Finsbury Park and change there for an onward train, tube or bus to Alexandra Palace.

How do I get from Paddington to Alexandra Palace?
There is no direct train from Paddington to Alexandra Palace. Take the tube from Paddington to Moorgate (Circle or Hammersmith & City line) and then take a direct train from Moorgate to Alexandra Palace station.

How do I get from Waterloo to Alexandra Palace?
There is no direct train from Waterloo to Alexandra Palace but there are services departing from Waterloo to Wood Green tube station if you go via Leicester Square. Take the Northern Line from Waterloo to Leicester Square and then the Piccadilly line to complete your journey.

How far is Wood Green tube station from Alexandra Palace?
Wood Green tube station is one mile away from Alexandra Palace. It is easily walkable or you can catch the W3 bus to take you up the hill from the station.
 

What time do gigs at Alexandra Palace finish and what time does it close?
Gigs at Alexandra Palace usually finish at 11pm to allow people to access public transport after the show.
 

Can you take bags into Alexandra Palace?
You are able to take small bags inside with you but larger bags and buggies are not permitted and will have to be left at the cloakroom.

Can you take food into Alexandra Palace?
Only food and drink purchased at Alexandra Palace is allowed inside.

Can you smoke in Alexandra Palace?
There is no smoking permitted inside the palace but there are designated smoking areas outside the venue itself.
 

When did Ally Pally burn down?
Tragically, Alexandra Palace burnt down in 1873, just 16 days after it was first opened. It was rebuilt and reopened to the public in 1875.
 

How do you get to the Alexandra Palace fireworks?
Alexandra Palace is about seven miles from central London and is easily accessible by rail, tube and bus. See info on ‘getting there’ above.

What time does Alexandra Palace fireworks start?
The famous Alexandra Palace fireworks display traditionally starts at 9pm on Friday and 8pm on Saturday.

How long do the Alexandra Palace fireworks last?
Everything will be finished by 11pm allowing you time to make your way back home or to your nearby Premier Inn hotel.
 

Where is Ally Pally darts?
Since 2007, Alexandra Palace has hosted the PDC World Darts Championship inside its main arena.

How many does Ally Pally hold for darts?
Around 3,000 people every night throughout the course of the three-week tournament.