A really lovely building aplty named palace. All kinds of events take place here from patchwork festivals and farmers markets to ice hockey matches and full on raves. The Park area out front offers some of the most beautiful views available of London looking over virtually the whole of central London. On Fire works night it is particularly special as literally thousands gather to watch an impressive display with the added bonus of being able to see some of the equally impressive display in primrose hill and the rest of the cities fireworks too. In summer you can play pitch and put, go rowing on the lake and even go to the fun fair.

The part of the park I spent most time in is an offshoot to the South West and marked Muswell Hill on my map. A little scrap of park with some lawns and lovely trees, including some rather fabulous old ones. As I entered I heard a dad saying to his daughter ‘look, see it’s open!’, and I soon found out what he was talking about. There’s a little café in the middle, basically just a hut with tables outside. And though the park wasn’t busy, this was.

I was tempted in by a seasonal special: hot organic apple juice with cinnamon. Once standing at the counter though I got tempted by what was cooking for someone else and added a sausage sandwich (£2). The place was run by an Italian couple, and I got treated to the husband’s opinion on butter with sausages. The apple juice was everything I expected. The sausage sandwich was nothing special, but what do you expect? They also serve toasted ciabattas etc. including some adventurous fillings (£3 something I think).

Nice food, not the cheapest or the dearest, and owners with character. I could see why it’s popular.

The main part of the park slopes down from Alexandra Palace towards the South East and is open. Great views of course, but I find just open grass a little boring. Standing at the top by the Palace I didn’t really see anything to tempt me down. However the park does also have a boating lake, animal enclosure with deer and conservation areas.

This park is huge and the perfect place to let the dogs have their freedom with both wide open spaces and forest areas safe from traffic. The paths are good for cicyling as well. Because the place is so big it never seems too over crowded even in summer. The hill up to Alexandra Palace itself is a bit steep though good if you are fit. Sorry my photo is the wrong way round, Im not very technical minded....