Plan your visit to Alexandra Park and the boating lake. Pedalo hire, deer enclosure, pitch-and-putt, woodland walks and the best views in North London, all free to enter.
Today the park is managed by the Alexandra Palace and Park Charitable Trust and remains free to enter at all times. It is a local authority park at heart, busy with dog walkers, families, runners and cyclists, but it retains something of its Victorian ambition. The views alone make it worth the hill.
What you will find in the park: - The boating lake with pedalo and rowing boat hire - A deer enclosure - Pitch-and-putt golf course - The Grove: ancient woodland in the park's eastern section - Rose garden and formal gardens - Garden centre - Children's play area - Café and pub - Panoramic viewpoint over London
The Boating Lake
The boating lake sits in the lower section of the park, visible from the south terrace of the palace. It is a natural-looking ornamental lake with a small island, reed beds and resident waterfowl.
Boat hire operates through the warmer months, typically April through October, weather permitting. Pedalos and rowing boats are available to hire by the half hour. Pricing is modest and aimed at families. The hire point is at the lakeside and operates on a first-come basis; there is no advance booking.
Conditions to know about: - Boat hire operates only when conditions are suitable, wind and rain will occasionally close the service - The lake is popular with families on warm weekend afternoons, and waiting times for boats can build up from around midday - Weekday mornings are consistently quiet and usually offer boats without a wait
The lake is also a decent spot simply to sit. The benches along the southern edge have views across the water and, in the background, the palace. It is one of the less crowded parts of the park on a busy weekend because most visitors gravitate towards the viewpoint terrace or the main lawns.
The Deer Enclosure
Alexandra Park has a small deer enclosure in the central section of the park, accessible by a short path from the main east-west route. It contains fallow deer and has been a feature of the park for many decades.
The enclosure is enclosed by low fencing and viewable from a path along its perimeter. Feeding the deer is not permitted, and visitors are asked to keep dogs on leads in this section.
Early morning visits, before the park fills up, are the best time to see the deer active. They tend to shelter under the trees during the busiest afternoon periods. The enclosure is modest in scale but unexpectedly charming; it is one of those features that regular visitors take for granted but that surprises first-timers.
Pitch-and-Putt
The pitch-and-putt course in Alexandra Park is a nine-hole course on the lower lawns, operating through the warmer months. It is a proper course rather than a crazy golf setup, small holes, real grass, requiring some actual skill.
Equipment hire is available at the course kiosk. No booking is required; you pay at the kiosk and play. It is popular with families and groups, and on summer weekends there can be a short wait for a tee.
This is a genuinely good activity for a mixed group, accessible to children and non-golfers while still offering something to work on if you play. The course is maintained to a decent standard and the views from the upper holes are excellent.
The Grove: Ancient Woodland
The Grove is the eastern section of Alexandra Park, a wooded area of mature oak, ash and hornbeam that predates the park itself. Some of the trees here are several hundred years old and the woodland floor has the layered, undisturbed quality of genuinely ancient woodland.
It is quieter than the main park lawns, particularly on weekdays. The paths through the Grove are unpaved and can be muddy after rain, so appropriate footwear is useful. It connects to the lower park via a path that passes the deer enclosure.
The Grove is worth visiting specifically in spring for the bluebells (usually peak in late April to mid-May) and in autumn for the foliage. It is the part of Alexandra Park that most resembles a proper wood rather than a managed park, and it has a noticeably different atmosphere as a result.
The Views
The viewpoint on the south terrace of Alexandra Palace gives one of the most expansive panoramas in London, unobstructed views south across the city from the Shard and Canary Wharf to the hills of Crystal Palace on the far horizon. On clear days, the Wembley arch and the buildings of the City are immediately identifiable.
The viewpoint is the main draw for first-time visitors and for tourists coming specifically to photograph the city. It is busiest in the early evening, when the light is good and the after-work crowd arrives. For the clearest conditions, early morning before the haze builds is the photographer's choice.
The terrace is also a popular spot for watching fireworks from across London on New Year's Eve and Bonfire Night, when the elevated position offers a clear sightline over a wide arc of the city.
Getting to Alexandra Park
By train: Alexandra Palace railway station is at the foot of the park's southern slope. From Moorgate (City) and Finsbury Park (King's Cross area), the journey takes around 20 minutes. The walk from the station to the palace summit is about 10-12 minutes and moderately steep.
By bus: The W3 bus connects Alexandra Palace to Wood Green Underground (Piccadilly line). The 144 runs to Manor House (Victoria line). Several other routes serve Wood Green, from which the W3 is the reliable connection.
By car: There is a pay car park on the north side of the palace, accessed from Palace Gates Road. It fills on busy weekend afternoons, particularly for events. The car park is a short, flat walk from the main palace building and a slightly longer walk to the boating lake.
On foot: The park is accessible on foot from Muswell Hill (10 minutes), Wood Green (15-20 minutes) and Crouch End (around 25 minutes). The Parkland Walk, a former railway line converted to a nature path, connects the park to Finsbury Park to the south.
Facilities
The Alexandra Palace pub is on the south terrace and offers food and drink with views over London. It tends to be busy at weekends and is worth arriving early for a table on the terrace in summer.
There is a café in the East Court of the palace building (near the ice rink) serving hot drinks, sandwiches and snacks. A further café kiosk operates seasonally near the boating lake.
The garden centre is at the north side of the park, accessed from Palace Gates Road. It operates independently of the palace trust and is a proper working garden centre rather than a gift shop.
Public toilets are available in the main palace building and near the pitch-and-putt. The facilities are generally well maintained.
Best Times to Visit
Spring (April-May): The Grove bluebells, the pitch-and-putt reopening for the season, and the park at its quietest before summer crowds arrive. The deer tend to be more visible in the mornings during this period.
Summer (June-August): Boat hire in full operation, long evenings on the terrace, and the various events and festivals that use the park grounds. The busiest period; early morning or late afternoon visits avoid the peak crowds.
Autumn (October-November): The Grove woodland in colour, low-angle light for photography, and the park noticeably quieter than in summer. The fireworks season brings busy evenings around Bonfire Night.
Winter (December-February): The views can be exceptional on cold, clear days when the air is sharp and the city is spread out below. The park is largely empty outside of weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alexandra Park free to enter?
Yes. Alexandra Park is free to enter at all times. Charges apply only for specific activities: boat hire, pitch-and-putt, and parking.
When does boat hire operate at Alexandra Park?
Boat hire typically operates from April through October, subject to weather. The hire point is at the lakeside and operates on a first-come basis.
Is there parking at Alexandra Palace?
Yes, there is a paid car park on the north side of the site. It fills up on busy weekend afternoons and during events. Arriving before 10am on weekends usually secures a space without difficulty.
Are dogs allowed in Alexandra Park?
Yes, dogs are welcome throughout the park. Dogs must be kept on leads near the deer enclosure and in certain other areas. The park is popular with dog walkers.
How far is Alexandra Park from central London?
By train from Moorgate, Alexandra Palace station is about 20 minutes. By car from central London it is around 20-30 minutes outside peak hours.
Can you see the whole of London from Alexandra Palace?
The south terrace gives one of London's widest panoramas, a clear 180-degree southward view taking in the City, Canary Wharf, the Shard, Wembley and the Surrey Hills on the horizon. On a clear day, it is genuinely impressive.
A Full Day at Alexandra Park
For those who want to make a proper day of it, Alexandra Park works well as a half-day or full-day destination:
Morning: Walk up from Alexandra Palace station, spend an hour in the Grove, visit the deer enclosure, and reach the palace terrace for the views by mid-morning before the crowds build.
Midday: Lunch at the pub on the terrace, or bring your own and use the park lawns.
Afternoon: Boat hire on the lake, a round of pitch-and-putt, and a walk through the lower park. In summer, the gardens are at their best in the afternoon light.
The park connects naturally to other North London destinations, Muswell Hill is a short walk for coffee and independent shops, and the Parkland Walk south through Highgate to Finsbury Park is a worthwhile addition for those with time and energy.
