Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Ally Park's a bit posh innit.
On a pleasant 2 hour stroll through much of Alexandra Park today, taking in the cricket ground, the deer enclosure and then to our surprise the beautifully improved boat lake, cafe and children's play area, complete with skateboard zone and graffiti wall, I've come to the conclusion this park easily rivals Finsbury Park to the south.
They have done a fantastic job of presenting an inviting area at the back of Ally Pally with the boat lake improvements (no smelly bird bank here), a beautifully refurbished Victorian building housing the cafe, which serves up excellent milkshakes, cappucinos and the like, complete with very nice landscaping.
We passed around to the front of the palace (which as we all know desperately needs care and attention), the kids enjoyed using the 50p for 2mins telescope which shows up incredible detail right into 'the city'. We then dropped down into the park with its bright newly planted flower beds and freshly mown grass, where a young Dalmatian was hurtling around and grabbing all the attention (I want one!).
Then headed back into the fields below where the race course used to be and a helipad now is. It's a strange empty space around these parts. Could do with a couple of football pitches and an area for much in demand allotments .... or something at least.
But all in all a pleasant afternoon with a few nice surprises. Investment in our largest park and in our grandest building must increase. Ally Pally and its park have the potential to be our true 'heartlands'.
They have done a fantastic job of presenting an inviting area at the back of Ally Pally with the boat lake improvements (no smelly bird bank here), a beautifully refurbished Victorian building housing the cafe, which serves up excellent milkshakes, cappucinos and the like, complete with very nice landscaping.
We passed around to the front of the palace (which as we all know desperately needs care and attention), the kids enjoyed using the 50p for 2mins telescope which shows up incredible detail right into 'the city'. We then dropped down into the park with its bright newly planted flower beds and freshly mown grass, where a young Dalmatian was hurtling around and grabbing all the attention (I want one!).
Then headed back into the fields below where the race course used to be and a helipad now is. It's a strange empty space around these parts. Could do with a couple of football pitches and an area for much in demand allotments .... or something at least.
But all in all a pleasant afternoon with a few nice surprises. Investment in our largest park and in our grandest building must increase. Ally Pally and its park have the potential to be our true 'heartlands'.
Tags for Forum Posts: alexandra park, ally pally, parks
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by StephenBln on
-
Is that the park that overlooks the harbour? I've been there!
-
-
Seriously though, the palace & park were named after Alexandra (1844-1925) - The Princess of Wales, later Queen Alexandra and great-grandmother of the current Queen.
Even in the 1960s, I can remember an Alexandra Day - similar to Poppy Day but with different pink coloured flowers.. I've no idea what for - I googled but only came up with an author Alexandre/ra? Day..
Anyone know what it was for?
-
Permalink Reply by maggie on
-
"To mark the 50th anniversary of her arrival in England Queen Alexandra started the Alexandra Rose day. This was the beginning of the concept of selling emblems in support of charity. Alexandra roses were made of pink linen by crippled and blind girls in London. The 26th June 1912 was the first Alexandra Rose day in aid of London hospitals". from an article on Wantage Hospital, (I googled 'Alexandra Day pink rose charity collection).
Maybe their purpose changed with the advent of the NHS as I think I remember them used specifically for collections for ' the blind'. -
-
-
@maggie Thanks for the info and the google tip..
-
-
Permalink Reply by John D on
-
On 2nd November 2006, the 70th anniversary of the opening of the HIGH DEFINITION television service, a group of enthusiasts produced a programme in the old BBC television studios reminiscing about the early days at AP. Among those present were Sylvia Peters and Vera McKechnie ( with whom I fell in love some many years ago ) Many clips of early children's programmes and, yes, the potter's wheel. The programme was transmitted live by local radio amateurs.
A DVD is available if there's any interest.
-
Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on
-
Matt, on your recommendation, Zena and I enjoyed cappuccinos and shared a 'Moroccan Summer Salad' at the Lakeside Café at Alexandra Palace. Followed by a stroll round the boating lake.
Here's what you described as the "beautifully refurbished Victorian building housing the cafe". Though I wasn't bowled-over by the building.
I always wonder about people's likes and dislikes when it comes to buildings. I've often thought it would be great to have a map of Haringey (eewhy) linked to a Flickr group with photos. And text for people to say what they especially liked and why.
-
Permalink Reply by matt on
-
Nice photos Alan. Pity about this showery weather we're getting at the moment. Good idea regards the map.
- ‹ Previous
- 1
- 2
- 3
- Next ›
© 2024 Created by Hugh.
Powered by
