Know Your Neighbourhood: Alexandra Palace & Wood Green

What makes people feel they belong somewhere?

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In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin visits Alexandra Palace and Wood Green as part of London Festival of Architecture's Know Your Neighbourhood series exploring the theme of belonging.

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Joined by Louise Johnson from the Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust, the conversation explores why ‘Ally Pally’ continues to hold such a special place in the hearts of Londoners more than 150 years after it first opened its doors.

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From its role as the birthplace of television to the memories created through concerts, family traditions and everyday walks in the park, Alexandra Palace reveals how places become part of our personal and collective identities.

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The episode also uncovers the hidden creative energy of Wood Green, from its cultural quarter to its remarkable concentration of music recording studios, highlighting a side of the neighbourhood that many visitors may not be aware of.

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Together, they discuss stewardship, heritage, creativity, public space and the responsibility of caring for places that generations of people call their own.

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Topics covered:

• The story behind London's People's Palace
• Why belonging is built through shared memories
• Alexandra Palace's role in broadcasting history
• Hidden creative communities in Wood Green
• Heritage, sustainability and stewardship
• The importance of neighbourhood identity in London

Plus, the rapid-fire round: best coffee, best view, the walk only locals know, and what you don't really understand about this neighbourhood until you've watched the sunset from the south terrace.

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Know Your Neighbourhood is a five-episode series exploring five London Festival of Architecture 2026 neighbourhoods through the lens of this year's theme: Belonging.

If you've ever wondered why certain places stay with us long after we've left them, this episode and series is for you.

About Our Guest

Louise Johnson, Head of Strategic Planning and Projects at Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust.

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Links and Mentions

Alexandra Park and Palace Trust — https://www.alexandrapalace.com

North London Skate Club — https://www.northlondonskateclub.com

London Festival of Architecture 2026 — https://www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org

Under Many Flags mural by Matt Dosso

Ludos- https://ludoslondon.co.uk/

Oita- https://www.oitarestaurant.com/woodgreen

Blue House Yard- https://www.bluehouseyard.com/