ALEXANDRA PALACE

 There is no better view than that from outside 'Ally Pally'  in its surrounding park, on the highest points in London.

The original palace was designed incorporating many architectural elements from the International Exhibition building in 1862, and was built in 1873, but burned down just sixteen days after opening to the public.

Two years later, a redesigned palace opened, boasting a concert hall, theatre, circus, racetrack, boating lake, and dining venues. Additionally, the palace is located within a grassy 196-acre park that has been a popular location for outdoor concerts and various family-oriented activities. 

In 1967, an act of Parliament designated it a charitable trust, to protect it.

In World War I, it became first a centre for refugees, and later an internment camp for 'enemy aliens'. In World War II, it became a staging area for troops returning from Dunkirk.

Meanwhile, in 1936, the BBC launched the very first full television service in the world.

In 1980, the palace caught fire again, the fire starting under the huge organ.  The fire took hold very quickly,  and, although the Fire Brigade, managed to get half of the building under control, the decision had to be taken to allow the remaining part, including the Great Hall, to burn, as to attempt to put it out would have deprived London and the surrounding area of all of their fire cover, and put many lives at risk.

The BBC studios and the transmitting tower escaped. There has since been a massive partial restoration, and the Great Hall was made safe, but left as a partial ruin as a memorial to its past history. It is still usable, as a large marquee inside the roofless walls adds a lot of exhibition and entertainment space. 

Above: the rebuilt organ, and below: the Rose Window at the other end of the hall

The Egyptian-themed Palm Court, which serves both as an entrance to the main complex and has cafes and restaurants

In 2015 Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust was awarded £18.8million of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore the palace’s most significant historic spaces to their former glory and secure the building’s future as a heritage destination. The Alexandra Palace theatre has been repaired and refurbished.

The sight line towards St Paul’s Cathedral from the palace’s viewing terrace is designated a ‘landmark viewing corridor’, which new building must not obstruct. Even trees must be cut back if they grow too tall.