Launching in February 2026, the “Summit” invites guests to climb to the top of the famous Alexandra Palace complex in north London and gaze at some breath-taking views of the capital.
Created by urban aerial adventure company Wire & Sky, the walk is billed as the UK’s highest roof walk*, and leads climbers to the Angel of Plenty sculpture standing 130 metres (426ft) above the City of London.
(*Other climbing structures rise higher above ground, but the Summit bags its ‘highest’ status on account of it sitting on a big hill!)
After meeting at the East Court entrance, we climbed to a space under the magnificent Rose Window where we received a comprehensive but entertaining safety briefing and strapped on the required harnesses.
Please note that you’re not allowed to bring cameras with you, and all phones have to be placed in a slightly unwieldy pouch.
Although we still had some way to go, the views at this level were already spectacular.
Most of the climbing went on inside the building until we eventually reached the beginning of the rooftop walk.
Preparing to ascend.
The steps on the left lead to the summit.
At the top of the climb there’s a viewing platform, where your guide will unleash a flotilla of fascinating facts about the history of Alexandra Palace and the surrounding area.
The talk went on for some time, and although we were happy to learn about the building’s history, we can’t imagine it would be much fun if it happened during a rainstorm.
It was great to see some of the Ally Pally structures from a different angle.
You can just make out the Telecom Tower in this view.
The viewpoint lets you take in the size of the 150 year old ‘People’s Palace.’
Standing next to the Angel of Plenty (complete with lightning conductor running along its backside).
The guides, staff – and indeed my fellow climbers – were a lovely bunch of people,
The BBC transmitter (and the walk back down in the foreground).
When you get back down to ground level there’s a large bar and cafe area where you can warm up with a cuppa.
Our thoughts
We very much enjoyed our strut over the Ally Pally roof, but launching in the middle of winter does seem something of a ballsy move.
With London’s notoriously fickle weather, you might have to wrap up very warm indeed, and we can’t imagine it would be a heap of fun battling hefty wind gusts and/or a full-pelted shower at the top.
But if you time it right, the venture will reward you with memorable views and a sense of achievement of climbing to such a high and unique vantage point.
Add in super-friendly staff and the bonhomie that inevitably occurs between you and your fellow explorers, and it’s an experience we can recommend.
More info
Summit at Alexandra Palace
East Court
Alexandra Palace Way
London, N22 7AY
Opens Sat 14th February 2026
Advance adult tickets start from £22 per person, including guidance and all safety equipment.
Key points
- UK’s highest roof walk at 130 metres above sea level
- Views of up to 25 miles across London, taking in 28 of the city’s 32 boroughs
- 150 years of history, reimagined as a brand new adventure
- Opening Saturday 14 February (Valentine’s Day), then operating year-round (see website for dates)
- Daytime, sunset and night-time climbs available
- Climbs operate alongside events at Alexandra Palace and Alexandra Park, with special climbs for fireworks, New Year, Halloween and more
- Family friendly for ages 8+ and ideal as part of a full Alexandra Palace day out
- Prices from £22 for youth (8–17) and £28 for adults
Bonus facts
- Alexandra Palace is wider and higher than Buckingham Palace and is the only palace you can walk on top of
- Views span over 25 miles, covering four counties and 28 London boroughs
- Visible landmarks include St Paul’s Cathedral, The Shard, the London Eye, Canary Wharf and four major stadiums including Wembley
- The Palace was built using over 15 million bricks
- The Great Hall beneath the walk has hosted jazz and rock festivals, Led Zeppelin, refugees, the Brit Awards and will become the new home of the Darts from 2026. It holds 10,250 people and is completely pillarless
- The Angel of Plenty that you reach at Summit, is 3.5 metres tall. It represents Victory and abundance.
- Alexandra Palace has a long history of daredevil activity, from early aeronauts and dry ski slopes to the Red Bull Soapbox Race, and now Summit
- The walk overlooks 196 acres of Alexandra Palace Park, including the former racecourse known as The Frying Pan
- Alexandra Park and Palace is a charity – the Alexandra Park and alace Charitable Trust – which continues its mission of caring for and restoring its Grade II Listed Palace,196 acres of award-winning parkland, and hosting a packed programme of live music, sport, theatre, comedy, exhibitions and creative learning opportunities.
[Thanks to Wire & Sky and Adele at Woodthorpe Comms for the press invite]
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