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What is Summit at Ally Pally?
Summit at Ally Pally is the capital’s latest vertiginous adventure from the team behind Tottenham Hotspur’s Dare Skywalk, the Cutty Sark rig climb, and Up at The O2. This one, a sky-high amble up north London’s Grade II-listed Alexandra Palace, bills itself as the highest rooftop walk in the UK. Turns out those north London elites really are looking down on the rest of us.
What happens at Summit at Ally Pally?
To give you the bare bones of the experience, you climb up onto the roof of Alexandra Palace and then you go back down again. But, okay, there’s more to it than that. Initially, groups are led by an effervescent guide up to the balcony beneath the palace’s famous stained-glass Rose Window, where they’ll get their harnesses on before stepping out onto the roof and climbing up some steps to the apex of this London landmark. There, standing behind the Angel of Plenty statue, they get their pictures taken and listen to a spiel about the history of the palace while gazing out at one of the city’s greatest skyline views, taking in architectural beacons like St Paul’s Cathedral, the Shard and Canary Wharf. The whole experience lasts about an hour.
Is Summit at Ally Pally worth visiting?
Anyone who’s been to Alexandra Palace knows that this place already offers pretty incomparable views over London. But, by virtue of being higher up, the views are even better. Without the big building in the way, you have a 360-degree vantage point, including views of closer landmarks like Muswell Hill’s church spire. The guide tells us that 38 of London’s 32 boroughs are visible up here.
Is it worth trekking to N22 for, and moreover, is it worth the £28 plus booking fee ticket price? Even for locals, it’s certainly a thrill to be up there, but I would say that what you get out of the experience is weather-dependent. Our January daytime climb took place during gale-force winds, which truly battered us at the top and made it difficult to hear a lot of the information our guide was sharing. Obviously, you can simply dress as appropriate, but I’d imagine it’s a much more pleasant experience on a warm summer’s day. There are sunset and nighttime climbs, too, and I’m told Summit will even be bookable for the famous Ally Pally fireworks, which will be a really unforgettable experience,though it remains to be seen how much those tickets will set you back.
All in all, it’s a fun addition to London’s adventurous activities with a unique USP, being the highest of its kind in the country – and it is pretty cool to get a behind (or above)-the-scenes look at one of the city’s most iconic buildings.