Alexandra Palace

Alexandra Palace (17)

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Built in 1873 as a leisure and educational centre for Londoners in the Victorian era, this building was originally called The People’s Palace. Unfortunately, the palace burnt down two weeks after its opening, but the enormous success that it had achieved, attracting more than 100,000 people in this period, meant that its reconstruction was hastily organised.

Measuring 30,000 square metres, the complex reopened in 1875 and provided visitors with attractions such as a concert hall, theatre, art galleries a library and an outdoor swimming pool.

However, the building is especially historically important for the communication media, since in 1935 the east wing of the building was leased out and in 1936 the first British public television broadcast was made from there. Alexandra Palace continued to be the main broadcasting centre of the British Broadcasting Corporation until 1956.

Today, Alexandra Palace, surrounded by 80 hectares brimming with the flora and fauna of Alexandra Park, continues to be an important entertainment centre. As well as its popular concert hall, which has seen performances by artists ranging from Pink Floyd to Marilyn Manson, it also has an ice skating rink, banquet halls and a lake where you can hire, if you wish, a rowing boat.

The possibilities of this spot do not end here, since Alexandra Palace is also open to other events, such as art exhibitions, conferences and even weddings. But probably the most exquisite treasure that the building guards is the Victorian theatre which is in the middle of a restoration process.

More good news is that this historic leisure centre is well connected with public transport. To give you an idea, if you get the tube at Piccadilly Circus it should not take you more than 20 minutes to arrive there.

So make sure you check to see whether your visit coincides with a concert or event and go along and enjoy this people’s palace.

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