Alexandra Palace
WHERE
London
What it’s like
Ice skating, Go Ape ropes, a boating lake and a skatepark all on one hilltop site in north London.
This is one of those places where you turn up meaning to do one thing and end up doing three. The ice rink's the obvious pull, but there's Go Ape strung through the trees for anyone tall enough and brave enough, a boating lake for paddling about, and a playground and skatepark for the bit where the little ones need their own space. East Court, where a lot of this sits, is open 9am to 5pm, though the site's honest that closing time shifts around events, so don't plan your exit down to the minute.
It's a proper day out rather than a quick stop. Between the rink, the ropes course and the lake you could easily fill four or five hours, especially if you're doing more than one activity and factoring in food. The Phoenix Bar & Pizzeria is open seven days a week (until 9.30 on weeknights, 10 at weekends) if you want a sit-down meal rather than snacks on the go, and there's a picnic area if you'd rather bring your own and eat outside. Everything's card only though, cash doesn't get you a coffee here.
Parking's straightforward in that there are three car parks and the first 30 minutes is free, but after that you're paying, and Blue Badge holders park free in East Court on a first-come basis. The building itself is listed and historic, which the site is upfront about meaning some accessibility requests can't always be met, and wheelchair hire needs booking ahead through Visitor Services rather than turning up and asking. If you're coming by tube, Wood Green on the Piccadilly line gets you there in about 20 minutes from Piccadilly Circus.
Nobody's pretending this is a five-minute visit. Between the ice rink, the ropes course and the lake, you're looking at a whole afternoon at least, so it pays to eat before you go or budget properly for food once you're there.
Facilities
Need to know
- Last entry
- 8pm for car parks (East Court and Grove)
- Parking
- First 30 mins free. Blue Badge holders free
- Wheelchairs
- Limited wheelchair hire available
- Getting there by bus or train
- Wood Green Underground (Piccadilly Line), 20 mins from Piccadilly Circus
- Everything's card only, cash won't work at the bars or café
- Wheelchair hire is limited and needs booking ahead, don't rely on turning up
- East Court's closing time moves around events, so check what's on that day
- Blue Badge parking is free in East Court but it's first come first served
- Hot food isn't allowed inside the Theatre auditorium if that's part of your visit
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Pricing isn't something we can confirm here, but there's a mix of paid activities like the ice rink and Go Ape alongside free things like the boating lake area and playground.
Do we need to book?
There's no booking link listed, but with activities like Go Ape and the ice rink it's the sort of thing you'd want to sort ahead rather than chance it on the day.
Is there parking?
Three car parks on site, first 30 minutes free then it's paid. Blue Badge holders park free in East Court, first come first served.
What time does everything open?
East Court runs 9am to 5pm, though the site says that can shift around events, so it's not fixed in stone.
Is there food?
The Phoenix Bar & Pizzeria is open every day, later on Fridays and Saturdays. Everything on site is card only, no cash.
Can we bring a picnic?
There's a picnic area if you'd rather bring your own food than eat at the Phoenix.
How do we get there by public transport?
Wood Green on the Piccadilly line is about 20 minutes from Piccadilly Circus. Finsbury Park station has step-free access if that matters for your pushchair or wheelchair.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
There's step-free access and accessible toilets, but it's a historic listed building and the site admits some accessibility requests can't always be accommodated. Wheelchair hire is limited and needs booking ahead through Visitor Services.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, the site is dog friendly.
Do you do birthday parties?
Birthday parties are listed as something they offer on site.
Is it OK for a toddler?
There's a playground on site, and the boating lake and grounds give you somewhere to wander, though the ropes course and skatepark are more for older kids.
Featured in 1 Huddlepin list
See all Ice Rinks in London · Things to do in London
MAKE A DAY OF IT
