Alexandra Palace

Perched on a hill, surrounded by acres of leafy parkland and visible for miles around, Alexandra Palace could easily be mistaken for a magnificent palace of regal importance. In reality, it's a slightly shabby affair. Built in 1873 as a people's palace, Ally Pally has experienced luckless fortune, including two devastating fires that gutted sections of the building's interior, and years of poor funding. Despite this, the palace continues to hold a soft spot in the heart of north Londoners, and a proud place in history as the birthplace of the world's first regular public television broadcast by the BBC in 1936. Fitting to its original purpose, the building is now used for public events and entertainment. There's an indoor ice-skating rink, an expo hall and a vast gig space where you can catch big names - Sigur Rós, The White Stripes - and the odd superparty. The legendary bonfire night is a perennial favourite, while Alexandra's Palace's altitude rewards casual walkers with stunning scenic views.