Andy Mossack climbs Summit Ally Pally on a prelaunch climb up the highest roof walk in the UK.
Ever since she first opened in 1873, London’s famous Ally Pally has seen her fair share of new, exciting and unusual happenings perched atop her lofty hill in a 196-acre park bordering Highgate and Muswell Hill in north London. Built by the same people who built the Royal Albert Hall, the ‘Peoples Palace’ as she was once coined, became a magnet for high society with a racecourse, theatre, open air swimming pool, Japanese garden and boating lake.
Because of her elevation, the BBC later erected its iconic antenna mast here making it its main transmission centre. Clive Sinclair unveiled his Sinclair 5 electric car up here, and the Palace has been the host of countless concerts and events culminating in the recent World Darts Championships and Masters Snooker.
With the growing popularity of clambering up towering national landmarks, it was only a matter of time before someone thought Ally Pally might be a suitable venue. That someone was Andy Broad, Managing Director of urban ariel adventure specialist Wire and Sky, who already have UP at the O2, Tottenham Hotspur’s The Dare Skywalk, the Anfield Abseil in Liverpool and the Cutty Sark Rig Climb in Greenwich on its CV.
Now, I’m no stranger to hights and daredevil climbs, after all I have the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb on my CV, so when I was offered the opportunity to have a go up the Summit before its launch on 14th February I jumped at the chance. Alexandra Palace’s extraordinary lofty position offers glorious views across London anyway, so I was in no doubt the view on her rooftop would be even more spectacular.
Andy was quick to point out that although the safety measures here are second to none it’s still very easy to get kitted out. “The Summit is designed to be an easy one-hour guided experience appealing to everyone with no safety helmets, boots or special suits needed, we just use our state-of-the-art harness.”
Fair enough I thought. And it turned out it really was that easy. As it happened, it was a cold January day with a very strong biting wind, so I had plenty of warm layers on. Guide Ross took charge, and I followed him out from Ally Pally’s cavernous East Court and around to the entrance to the indoor maintenance stairs network which ultimately leads outside.
First pit stop though was the outside balcony beneath Ally Pally’s famed stained glass Rose Window where Ross presented me with my harness. This is a fully adjustable full body harness fitted with a chubby metal block containing a thin slit which slips snugly onto the corded wire safety cable once we’re on the roof section. It’s a secure way of keeping attached and you simply slide it along the cable as you walk.
Even from here, about halfway up the palace exterior, the view was remarkable and famous landmarks across the City were indicated on the low balcony wall in front.
But I was keen to get on up to the main event, so we moved back inside for a couple more levels until we stepped out onto the base of the roof section. This was it. I latched onto the safety cable and began to walk up the steps directly on the sloping roof towards the summit.
Now I was facing the full force of the wind which was gusting so hard it brought a little more drama to the proceedings. That said, the steps were comfortably spaced and the elevation not too difficult, but of course the exhilaration of being so high and exposed is the headline moment. There was no doubt about it, I was having a moment.
We were heading up to the narrow platform at the summit which was adjacent to the winged and weathered Angel of Plenty statue. The angel has been up here since the 80s having replaced an earlier version that had been perched there for over 100 years.
By now the wind was gusting so fiercely I could hardly hear Ross regaling me with stories of the old girl’s past. But I did manage to hear him point out the Spurs stadium, a place of worship for both of us it transpired. Up there next to the historic BBC mast, and far above the great and west halls, the 360-degree view across 25 miles of London skyline, 130 metres above sea level, was very impressive.
I blew a farewell kiss at the angel and made my way back down the other side to the welcoming arms of the gale-free stairwell and back to base at the East Court for a very welcome hot drink.
I’ve already mentioned Ally Pally’s long list of unusual happenings, well I reckon Summit Ally Pally just might make it to the top of her list.
Images (C) Alexandra Palace and Andy Mossack
Tell me more about Summit Ally Pally Rooftop Climb.
Summit Ally Pally, Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY
E: info.summit@wireandsky.co.uk T: 020 8055 4192
Summit Ally Pally officially opens 14th February 2026.
Prices from £22-£28 advance booking per person +booking fee.
Open to ages 8+ Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.
Minimum height 1.2 metres.
Three Standard Climbing Experiences:
Daytime Climbs, Sunset Climbs and nighttime London Lights Climbs.
There are special climb options in the planning too – Guy Fawkes Night is a possibility and perhaps New Year’s Eve too.
