Written by The Location Guide on Jan 11, 2013. Posted in On Location

Alexandra Palace offers park grounds and spacious interiors in north-east London

Alexandra Palace lies in north-east London and offers a great mix of location filming opportunities for film productions. The palace itself is steeped in 140 years of history, while nearly 200 acres of parkland include a deer enclosure and an old race course.

Known colloquially as ‘Ally Pally’, the seven-acre building has a period grandeur and offers sweeping views across the whole of London from its hilltop perch.

Entering through the main gates, visitors find themselves in the Palm Court, a giant atrium that captures abundant natural light as a result of the vast windowed ceiling. Adjoining this in succession are the West Hall and the Great Hall, both of which offer spacious areas suitable for a multitude of events.

Charlotte Johnson is the palace’s Marketing Manager: “Productions that film here often focus on the surrounding grounds and then they’ll shoot additional interior scenes in suitable spaces in the palace.

“While we have a lot of space in the main halls that are very popular for exhibits, conferences and events, production teams often find they’re inspired by distinct corridors, staircases and side entrances.”

The palace’s Great Hall can accommodate 10,400 for concerts (standing, not seated) and 6,500 for conferences, while its 25-metre-high ceilings allow flexibility for large pieces of equipment or production design.

While the halls are not specifically designed as studio facilities, the space is a huge selling point and can be a major production asset, particularly for commercials. The Great Hall was recently used for a Stephen Merchant-narrated Barclay’s Bank advert that involved erecting a huge bouncy castle.

Being located so close to central London is a major advantage and Alexandra Palace is an eye-catching option for anyone filming in the capital.

To find out more about Alexandra Palace as a Film-Friendly Location click here.