Commonly known as "The People’s Palace" the building was opened in 1873 in order to provide recreational facilities. It is located in an elevated position enabling views over London within nearly 80 hectares of parkland. It had only been open for just over a fortnight when it burned down. A new Palace was opened on 1st May 1875. The Palace was extensively furnished including the famous steam-driven Willis organ. The maintenance and administration of the property is with Local Authorities under a trust created by Parliament in 1900.

1935 saw the first public television broadcasts from studios in part of the building let to the British Broadcasting Corporation and within a year it was the main transmitting centre of that august body until 1956 when it was used solely for news broadcasts.

In the Summer of 1980 the Palace caught fire again and almost half of the fabric was destroyed but did not include the BBC quarters nor the Palm Court. After considerable public and Governmental deliberation and redevelopment took place resulting in a re-opening in the Spring of 1988.

For further historic and other information please, including the opportunity to book tours of the said original television studies consult the ALEXANDRA PALACE WEBSITE  or telephone 020 83652121. Access by public transport includes Wood Green underground station (the nearest) on the Piccadilly Line, and overground to Alexandra Palace station from Moorgate on Saturday and from Kings Cross on Sunday: from there a W3 bus will convey you to the entrance.

The London Amateur Radio & Computer Show was held at the Palace on 21/22 April 2001 after a decade of being held at Picketts Lock and RSARS with the Special Event amateur radio station GB2AP were in attendance as the following pictures (© 2001 G3NVK) show:-