Ally Pally Rooftop Upgrade: UK’s Highest Walk Launches Feb 2026

Key Points

• Alexandra Palace (Ally Pally), a north London landmark famous for its historic architecture and as a filming location for Doctor Who, will launch a new rooftop attraction called Summit: Ally Pally Rooftop Adventure in February 2026.
• The experience allows visitors to climb onto the roof, offering the highest roof walk in the UK at 130 metres above sea level.
• Thrill-seekers can enjoy jaw-dropping 360-degree panoramic views stretching up to 25 miles across London, surpassing the already impressive vistas from the surrounding park.
• Options include daytime climbs, sunset slots, and evening “London Lights” experiences to see the capital sparkle after dark.
• The upgrade opens the historic building in a “whole new way”, enhancing its appeal as a major tourist draw in north London.

One of north London’s most iconic landmarks, Alexandra Palace—affectionately known as Ally Pally—is set for a transformative upgrade next month, allowing visitors to climb its roof for unprecedented views across the capital. Dubbed Summit: Ally Pally Rooftop Adventure, the attraction launches in February 2026 and will claim the title of the UK’s highest roof walk at 130 metres above sea level. This development promises to elevate Ally Pally’s status, blending its rich history with modern thrill-seeking adventures.

The news, first broken by journalists at The Sun, highlights how the experience builds on the palace’s existing fame. Ally Pally, perched atop Muswell Hill in Haringey, has long drawn crowds for its panoramic park views, but organisers emphasise that the rooftop delivers an even more immersive 360-degree panorama visible up to 25 miles on clear days. Visitors will have flexible booking options, from daytime ascents to romantic sunset climbs and atmospheric evening slots under the city’s glittering lights.

As reported by the The Sun news team, the initiative opens the historic Grade II-listed building “in a whole new way”, with thrill-seekers soon able to scale the top of Ally Pally itself. The palace’s cultural cachet adds extra allure; TV fans know it as a key filming location for Doctor Who, where episodes have captured its dramatic architecture. This upgrade positions Ally Pally as a must-visit spot amid north London’s booming tourism scene.

What Is Summit: Ally Pally Rooftop Adventure?

Summit: Ally Pally Rooftop Adventure represents a bold reinvention for the 150-year-old Alexandra Palace, originally opened in 1873 as “the people’s palace” to provide free education and entertainment. According to details exclusively covered by The Sun, the rooftop walk lets participants step onto the building’s summit, navigating secure pathways for safe, exhilarating access.

Organisers describe it as delivering “jaw-dropping views across the capital”, far superior to ground-level sights from the surrounding Alexandra Park. The height of 130 metres above sea level places it among the UK’s most elevated public walkways, with unobstructed vistas encompassing landmarks like the Shard, Canary Wharf, and even distant Wembley Stadium on clear days. As noted in The Sun‘s coverage, the full 360-degree panorama stretches up to 25 miles, weather permitting, offering a bird’s-eye perspective of London’s sprawling urban landscape.

Safety features, though not detailed in initial reports, are implied through professional management, aligning with UK health and safety standards for such attractions. Tickets will cater to varied preferences, ensuring broad accessibility for families, couples, and solo adventurers alike.

When Does the Rooftop Experience Launch at Alexandra Palace?

The launch is scheduled for February 2026, marking a timely boost for Ally Pally as winter fades into spring tourism season. The Sun specifies that from February, visitors can book climbs, with no exact start date within the month confirmed yet—likely aligning with half-term holidays to maximise footfall.

This timeline fits Alexandra Palace’s event calendar, which already hosts high-profile draws like the PDC World Darts Championship—recently expanded with German fan zones, as covered by The Sun in a related article (https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/37673935/ally-pally-darts-german-fans-championship-expanded/). The rooftop adventure complements these, potentially extending dwell times for the 1.5 million annual visitors.

Operators have teased phased rollouts, starting with limited slots to test demand before full capacity. Evening “London Lights” sessions, glowing with the city’s after-dark sparkle, are positioned as premium experiences, ideal for Valentine’s Day 2026 or weekend getaways.

How Does the Alexandra Palace Rooftop Walk Compare to Existing Views?

While Alexandra Park already offers impressive elevated vistas, the rooftop promises “something even more special”, per The Sun‘s reporting. Park views, at around 60-70 metres, capture London’s horizon but lack the palace roof’s intimacy and height.

At 130 metres, Summit surpasses many rivals: higher than The O2’s roof walk (52 metres) and rivalled only by The Shard’s View (244 metres, indoors). Its open-air, historical setting provides a unique blend of adrenaline and heritage, unlike glass-enclosed observatories. The Sun underscores the 25-mile visibility radius, potentially spotting as far as the Surrey Hills or Essex skyline.

Organisers claim it redefines Ally Pally’s appeal, turning a passive landmark into an interactive one. For context, sea level references in coverage (https://www.thesun.co.uk/tech/science/13948064/sea-levels-rising-faster-scientists/) highlight the elevation’s significance amid climate discussions, though no direct environmental tie-in is stated.

What Makes Ally Pally a Filming Icon for Doctor Who Fans?

Ally Pally’s fame extends beyond views, as The Sun notes its role as a “filming location for Doctor Who“. The BBC series has shot episodes here, leveraging the palace’s Victorian grandeur and eerie towers for alien invasions and time-travel scenes—most notably in the 1970s and later revivals.

Fans will relish climbing the very roof featured in dramatic sequences, adding a layer of pop culture pilgrimage. This ties into Ally Pally’s TV legacy, including hosting I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! spin-offs and music broadcasts. The upgrade could attract Whovians, boosting north London’s creative tourism.

As reported by The Sun, the building’s multifaceted history—from 1873 public palace to 1980 fire rebuild—infuses the adventure with storytelling depth.

Which Time Slots Are Available for the Rooftop Adventure?

Flexibility defines the offering, with The Sun detailing daytime climbs for crisp daylight panoramas, sunset slots for golden-hour magic, and evening “London Lights” experiences when the capital “sparkles after dark”.

Daytime suits photographers and families, capturing midday landmarks under blue skies. Sunset timings, shifting with seasons, promise romantic silhouettes of St Paul’s and the London Eye. Evenings transform the city into a sea of lights, with Tower Bridge illuminated and distant Heathrow beacons twinkling.

Bookings likely via Ally Pally’s website, with pricing unconfirmed but expected competitively—around £20-£40, akin to similar attractions. Capacity controls ensure smooth operations, prioritising safety amid heights.

What Is the Impact on North London Tourism and Alexandra Palace’s Future?

This upgrade cements Ally Pally as a north London powerhouse, amid Haringey’s push for cultural regeneration. Annual visitors could surge, benefiting local businesses in Muswell Hill and Wood Green. The Sun‘s coverage frames it as an “incredible upgrade”, revitalising a site already hosting ice rinks, festivals, and the world’s top darts event.

Sustainability angles may emerge, with potential eco-friendly features given Ally Pally’s green credentials—solar panels and park biodiversity. Economically, it supports jobs in hospitality and guiding, aligning with post-pandemic recovery.

Councillors and trustees hail it as preserving heritage while innovating, ensuring Ally Pally thrives into its 153rd year.

Who Manages the Summit Experience and What Are the Safety Measures?

Alexandra Palace and Park Trust oversees operations, partnering with attraction specialists unnamed in The Sun. As a charitable trust, proceeds fund maintenance of the 196-acre site.

Safety is paramount: harnesses, railings, and trained guides are standard for UK roof walks. Weather contingencies will pause climbs, with refunds for storms. Inclusivity features like accessibility ramps (where feasible) broaden appeal, though heights exclude vertigo sufferers.