Just a few weeks after Mighty Hoopla, I found myself heading back to London once again, this time for just 24 hours.
This trip couldn’t have been more different. Instead of a full weekend centred around a festival, I was returning for one night to see one of my favourite psychedelic bands perform at the iconic Alexandra Palace.
Although much shorter, it still felt like a proper city break. There was enough time to explore a completely different part of London, enjoy another great meal and experience one of the capital’s most unique concert venues, all while making the most of the summer sunshine.
Where I Stayed
Muswell Hill, Haringey
This time I stayed in the Muswell Hill area, within the London Borough of Haringey, in a studio apartment on Colney Hatch Lane. The location borders Alexandra Palace and several neighbouring areas, making it an ideal base for the trip.
For this visit I wanted to stay somewhere within walking distance of Alexandra Palace, allowing us to avoid the crowds after the concert and spend more time exploring an area of London I hadn’t visited before.
As someone who enjoys walking and running, a 30-minute walk to the venue didn’t bother me at all. In fact, it gave us the perfect opportunity to wander through the neighbourhood, stop for refreshments and take in the local atmosphere both before and after the concert.
The area feels completely different to Brixton. It’s quieter, greener and far more residential, with tree-lined streets, independent cafés and fantastic views across London. Despite being only around 15–20 minutes by train from King’s Cross, it feels like a world away from the hustle and bustle of central London.
One thing that really stood out was just how peaceful it felt despite still being part of one of the world’s busiest cities.
The Accommodation
London Studio Retreat – Colney Hatch Lane
For this overnight stay we chose a studio apartment on Colney Hatch Lane, located around a 30-minute walk from Alexandra Palace and just a short taxi ride from the nearest train station.
The studio was clean, comfortable and perfectly adequate for a one-night stay. Although compact, it had everything we needed, including a fully equipped kitchen with cooking facilities, a fridge, washing machine and a good-sized bathroom with an excellent shower.
The only real downside was the heat. We happened to be visiting during a heatwave, and despite the host providing a fan and the window opening fully, it was difficult to cool the room down during the afternoon and early evening. I appreciate that the weather was exceptional, so I wouldn’t necessarily hold that against the accommodation.
The double bed could only be accessed from one side, which may be worth bearing in mind for some guests, but overall the apartment was finished to a good standard.
Would I stay here again?
If I were travelling solo or attending another event at Alexandra Palace, then yes, I probably would.
There were also plenty of local amenities nearby, including a Turkish bistro directly opposite the apartment serving breakfast, lunch, evening meals and excellent takeaway coffee.
Exploring the Area
One of the biggest surprises of this trip was discovering the area around Alexandra Palace and Muswell Hill. Rather than feeling like a typical tourist hotspot, it had a much more local feel, with independent cafés, traditional pubs and beautiful period homes.
Before heading to the concert, we wandered through the neighbourhood and stopped for dinner at The Maid of Muswell before making our way up to Alexandra Park. The views across London’s skyline from the palace grounds were incredible and well worth arriving early for before the music began.
Alexandra Palace
AKA “Ally Pally”, Alexandra Palace is one of London’s most iconic entertainment venues. Opened in 1873, it’s hosted everything from exhibitions and sporting events to concerts by some of the biggest names in music.
The building itself is impressive, with beautiful Victorian architecture and incredible views across London’s skyline. Inside, there are plenty of food and drink options, bars, clean toilet facilities and lots of space to relax before the show. Despite the size of the venue, everything was well organised and easy to find.
This trip was all about the concert. Seeing one of my favourite psychedelic bands perform here was an unforgettable experience. From the moment the lights dimmed, the atmosphere was electric. The visuals, lighting and sound all came together perfectly, creating an immersive show from start to finish.
What really made the night was the crowd. Everyone was there for the music, creating a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. It was the perfect way to end another memorable trip to London.
Food Recommendation
The Maid of Muswell
We came across The Maid of Muswell while walking from the apartment towards Alexandra Palace, roughly a 15-minute walk from both.
Originally we only planned to stop for a drink, but after seeing the menu we decided to stay for food as well.
The pub serves traditional food with plenty of choice, all at reasonable prices by London standards. With both indoor and outdoor seating available, it has a relaxed atmosphere and makes an excellent stop before heading up to Alexandra Palace.
Exploring King’s Cross
After checking out of our apartment, we still had a few hours before our train home, so we decided to spend some time exploring the King’s Cross area before making our way to Euston.
I hadn’t really visited King’s Cross for around 10–15 years, and I was genuinely surprised by how much it had changed. What was once simply a busy transport hub has been transformed into one of London’s most attractive neighbourhoods, with modern architecture, canalside walkways and plenty of places to eat and relax.
King’s Cross Station was as busy as ever, particularly around the Harry Potter Shop and the famous Platform 9¾ attraction, where queues of fans were waiting to have their photos taken.
From the station we took a short walk over to Granary Square. The fountains were packed with families making the most of the summer heat, and it created a brilliant atmosphere. We spent a while wandering around Coal Drops Yard and the nearby Canopy Market, browsing the independent shops and food stalls before slowly making our way towards Euston.
With some time to spare before our train, we stopped for one final drink and a bite to eat, providing the perfect ending to another enjoyable London trip
Final Thoughts
I really enjoyed this trip. Although it was only 24 hours, it still felt like a mini city break and showed me a completely different side of London that I’d never really explored before.
Staying outside Central London probably isn’t the best option if your main aim is sightseeing or you don’t want to spend too much time travelling around the city, especially as the local station isn’t on the Underground network, meaning services aren’t quite as frequent. However, for anyone attending an event at Alexandra Palace, the location couldn’t have worked much better. Being within walking distance meant we could avoid the crowds afterwards, spend more time exploring the local area and keep the cost of the trip down.
Muswell Hill had a completely different feel to the parts of London I’d visited before. It was quieter, greener and much more relaxed, and somewhere I’d happily return to in the future. Finishing the trip with a wander around King’s Cross before heading home was the perfect way to round off another memorable visit to the capital.
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