The London Borough of Haringey was created in 1965 from the old boroughs of Hornsey, Tottenham and Wood Green, in Middlesex. Hornsey's name was written down as Harenhg' in about 1195, and a rural Tottenham featured in Izaak Walton's The Compleat Angler in 1653. The railway made Hornsey a commuter town from 1850. Alexandra Palace opened in 1873 as the 'Palace of the People', and in 1936 the BBC made the world's first public 'high-definition' television broadcasts there.
Oldest first
Newest first
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Middle Ages
1066 – 1485
1100s
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Muzzle Hill
The earliest records of Muswell Hill date from the 12th century (the 1100s). Until the 1950s its name was often said 'Muzzle Hill'.
From the records: “The earliest records of Muswell Hill date from the 12th century.”
About 1195
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Harenhg'
The earliest written form of Hornsey's name was recorded as Harenhg', in about 1195.
From the records: “The earliest-written form of the name was recorded as Harenhg' in about 1195.”
1256
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Woodlegh
The earliest surviving written record of the name 'Woodlegh' dates from 1256. It is about a grant for Ducketts Manor, a sub-manor of Tottenham, which stood just east of today's Wood Green High Road.
From the records: “The earliest surviving written record of ‘Woodlegh’ is a reference in documentation dating from 1256, which relates to a grant for Ducketts Manor, (a sub-manor of Tottenham) which used to be located just to the east of the present-day Wood Green High Road, roughly opposite the junction of Alexandra Road and the High Road.”
1465
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Crouch End
Crouch End was first mentioned in 1465, as a settlement separate from Hornsey village. After about 1860 Hornsey village grew, and the two eventually merged into one urban area.
From the records: “The village grew dramatically after about 1860 and eventually merged with the separate settlement at Crouch End (first mentioned in 1465), to form an urban area in the middle of the parish.”
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Tudors and Stuarts
1485 – 1714
Probably by 1552
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The Green Man inn
In Muswell Hill, beyond the pond, stood the Green Man inn. It was built of stone and likely dates to at least 1552.
From the records: “Opposite The Limes was Muswell Hill pond and, beyond that, the Green Man inn, which was built of stone and likely dating to at least 1552.”
1653
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The Compleat Angler
A rural Tottenham featured in Izaak Walton's book The Compleat Angler, published in 1653.
From the records: “A rural Tottenham also featured in Izaak Walton's book The Compleat Angler, published in 1653.”
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Georgians
1714 – 1837
1770
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The blacksmith's corner
In 1770 George Chesser set up a blacksmith's shop on the corner of Green Lanes and Lordship Lane in Wood Green. The corner was later known as Spouter's Corner.
From the records: “In 1770 George Chesser established a blacksmith's shop on the corner of Green Lanes and Lordship Lane (later known as Spouter's Corner).”
1787
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So pleasant a village
In the 1700s Muswell Hill was a scattered village, mostly of detached villas with large gardens. In 1787 one writer said that nowhere within 100 miles of London was there a village so pleasant, or with such varied views.
From the records: “In the 18th century, Muswell Hill was a scattered village consisting mainly of detached villas with large gardens.”
1801
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2,716 people
In 1801 Hornsey parish was a scattered, semi-rural community of 2,716 people. It ranked sixth in size of more than forty parishes in Ossulstone, the largest hundred (district) in Middlesex.
From the records: “Its parish ranked sixth in size, of more than forty in Ossulstone, the largest hundred in Middlesex and was a scattered semi-rural community of 2,716 people in 1801.”
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Victorians
1837 – 1901
1850
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The railway arrives
In the 1840s the Great Northern Railway, a new line from London to the north, was built right through Hornsey. Its station on Tottenham Lane, the first out of London on the line, opened on 8 August 1850. The railway made Hornsey a commuter town.
From the records: “In the 1840s a section of a major new railway line from London to the north, the Great Northern Railway (Great Britain), was constructed right through Hornsey near to the centre of the village, and a station - the first out of London on the line - was built to serve it on Tottenham Lane, opened on 8 August 1850.”
1859
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The Palace of the People
The 'Palace of the People' was conceived by Owen Jones in 1859. The Great Northern Palace Company, set up by 1860, at first failed to raise the money to build it.
From the records: “The "Palace of the People" was conceived by Owen Jones in 1859.”
Early 1860s
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Companies come to Wood Green
Among the first companies to arrive in Wood Green, in the early 1860s, was E Welch & Co, a tobacco manufacturer.
From the records: “Amongst the first companies to arrive in the early 1860s was E Welch & Co Tobacco Manufacturer.”
1863
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Named after a princess
The planned palace and its park were renamed to honour Alexandra of Denmark, the new Princess of Wales, who married Prince Albert Edward (the future King Edward VII) on 10 March 1863. Materials to build it were recycled from the 1862 International Exhibition building in South Kensington.
From the records: “The planned building was originally named "The Palace of the People"; it and its park were renamed to honour the popular new Princess of Wales, Alexandra of Denmark, who had married Prince Albert Edward (the future King Edward VII) on 10 March 1863. "The Palace of the People" and "The People's Palace" remained as alternative names.”
Late 1860s
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Homes for working people
In the late 1860s freehold land societies developed large areas of Hornsey for working-class housing, including Abyssinia (later known as Hornsey Vale) and Campsbourne.
From the records: “In the late 1860s, large areas of Hornsey were developed by freehold land societies for working-class housing including Abyssinia (later known as Hornsey Vale) and Campsbourne.”
1868
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London's only racecourse
Alexandra Park had London's only racecourse, from 1868 until it closed in 1970.
From the records: “It was London's only racecourse from 1868 until its closure in 1970.”
1873
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Alexandra Palace opens
Building began in September 1865, to a design by John Johnson and Alfred Meeson instead of the glass building Owen Jones first proposed. A railway was built to link the site to Highgate station, and on 24 May 1873 Alexandra Palace and Park opened.
From the records: “In September 1865, construction commenced, but to a design by John Johnson and Alfred Meeson rather than implementing the glass structure initially proposed by Jones.”
1880
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Barratts
In 1880 the sweet maker Barratts came to Wood Green. It grew to be one of the biggest confectionery manufacturers of the 20th century.
From the records: “In 1880, Barratts arrived and grew to be one of the biggest confectionery manufacturers of the twentieth century.”
1888
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Wood Green on its own
In 1888 the Tottenham district was divided, and its western part became a separate district called Wood Green.
From the records: “The Tottenham district was divided in 1888, when its western part was made a separate district called Wood Green.”
1891
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Tottenham cake
'Tottenham cakes' are mentioned as early as 1891, when the Far Famed Cake Company was credited with first making them. Another source says the cake was first sold from 1901 by Henry Chalkley, a Quaker baker, for one old penny, with smaller mis-shaped pieces for half an old penny.
From the records: “There is reference to "tottenham cakes" as early as 1891 when the Far Famed Cake Company are credited as the originators of the confection.”
1900
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Free for the public, forever
In 1900 the owners of Alexandra Palace and Park were threatening to sell them for redevelopment. A group led by Henry Burt, of Middlesex County Council and Hornsey District Council, secured them for the people of London. A law of 1900 set up a charity to keep them 'available for the free use and recreation of the public forever'. In 1921 a plaque was put up in Burt's honour.
From the records: “In 1900 the owners of Alexandra Palace and Park were threatening to sell them for redevelopment, but a consortium headed by Henry Burt JP, a member of the Middlesex County Council and of Hornsey District Council, embraced the opportunity of securing the Palace and the grounds for the people of London.”
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The World Wars
1901 – 1945
1901
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Eight times bigger
By 1901 Hornsey's population had risen about eightfold in forty years, to 87,626. By then, Crouch End and Muswell Hill were becoming thought of as places of their own.
From the records: “By 1901 the population had risen about eightfold in forty years, reaching 87,626, by which time new localities/districts, mainly Crouch End and Muswell Hill, were popularly becoming considered distinct from Hornsey.”
1903–1934
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Three boroughs
Hornsey became a municipal borough in 1903, Wood Green in 1933 and Tottenham in 1934.
From the records: “Hornsey Urban District was incorporated to become a municipal borough in 1903, as were Wood Green in 1933, and Tottenham in 1934.”
1904
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Water for London
The Hornsey Water Treatment Works were built beside the New River, the water supply system made in the 1600s to bring water from Hertfordshire to London. Their brick buildings were the last built by the New River Company before the Metropolitan Water Board took over in 1904.
From the records: “The Hornsey Water Treatment Works were developed alongside the New River, the water supply system constructed in the 17th century that brings water from Hertfordshire to London.”
1914–1919
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The palace in the First World War
During the First World War the park was closed. The Palace and its grounds were first used as a refugee camp for displaced Belgians, and then, from 1915 to 1919, as an internment camp for German and Austrian civilians.
From the records: “During the First World War the park was closed; the Palace and its grounds were first used as a refugee camp for displaced Belgians, and then later from 1915 to 1919 as an internment camp for German and Austrian civilians.”
1936
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Television begins
In 1935 the BBC leased part of Alexandra Palace for its new television service. In November 1936 the world's first public broadcasts of (then) 'high-definition' television were made from the Palace. Two systems took turns, week by week, until Marconi-EMI's 405-line system was chosen over John Logie Baird's 240-line system in January 1937.
From the records: “In 1935 the trustees leased part of the Palace to the BBC for use as the production and transmission centre for their new BBC Television service.”
1940–1945
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Bombs on the borough
Bombs fell on Elmar Road during the first air raid on London, on 24 August 1940. Later the borough was hit by V-1 and V-2 weapons; the last hit was on 15 March 1945.
From the records: “Bombs fell in the borough (Elmar Road) during the first air raid on London on 24 August 1940.”
1944
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The palace in the Second World War
In the Second World War the Alexandra Palace transmitter was used to jam the navigation systems of German bombers. In 1944 a German doodlebug (a flying bomb) exploded just outside the Great Hall and the Rose Window was blown in.
From the records: “The Palace continued as the BBC's main transmitting centre for London until 1956, interrupted only by the Second World War, when the transmitter found an alternative use jamming German bombers' navigation systems.”
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Modern times
Since 1945
1951
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The first Lotus factory
In 1951 the first Lotus Cars factory was set up in stables behind the Railway Hotel on Tottenham Lane. Lotus moved to Cheshunt in 1959, and to Hethel in Norfolk in 1966.
From the records: “In 1951 the first Lotus Cars factory was established in stables behind the Railway Hotel (now No5 Dining) on Tottenham Lane.”
1955
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Variety on TV
In 1955, when ATV began broadcasting, the Wood Green Empire in Lymington Avenue became home to variety programmes on ITV. One was The Arthur Haynes Show, starring Arthur Haynes with Nicholas Parsons.
From the records: “In 1955, with the opening of Lew Grade's London weekend franchise Associated Television (ATV), the Wood Green Empire in Lymington Avenue was home to variety programmes on Independent Television (ITV); one of which was The Arthur Haynes Show, starring the host himself and his straight man Nicholas Parsons.”
1963
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Endangered animals
The Observer's Wildlife Exhibition at Alexandra Palace in 1963 was an important early event in raising awareness of endangered species around the world. 46,000 people went.
From the records: “The Observer's Wildlife Exhibition held here in 1963 was an important early event in highlighting awareness of worldwide endangered species, and it gained a large attendance (46,000).”
1965
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Haringey is created
The London Borough of Haringey was created in 1965, joining Hornsey, Tottenham and Wood Green. Its coat of arms was granted on 10 May 1965; its rays are also a symbol of the world's first regular high-definition TV transmissions from Alexandra Palace in 1936.
From the records: “The modern borough was created in 1965 under the London Government Act 1963, covering the combined area of the three municipal boroughs of Hornsey, Tottenham and Wood Green.”
1972
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Rock in the Grand Hall
The rock band Led Zeppelin played two sell-out shows in Alexandra Palace's Grand Hall, on the evenings of 22 and 23 December 1972.
From the records: “The rock band Led Zeppelin played at Alexandra Palace's Grand Hall in two sell-out performances on the evenings of the 22/23 December 1972.”
1976–1981
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Shopping City
Some shops and buildings in Wood Green were cleared in the 1960s to make way for Shopping City, built between 1976 and 1981. It is now called The Mall Wood Green.
From the records: “The Shopping City was constructed between 1976 and 1981.”
1979
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The first Wetherspoons
In 1979 Wetherspoons opened its first pub, on Colney Hatch Lane in Muswell Hill.
From the records: “In 1979, Wetherspoons opened their first pub, on Colney Hatch Lane.”
1980
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The fire of 1980
Early in 1980 Haringey Council took over as trustee of Alexandra Palace. On the afternoon of 10 July 1980 an accidental fire destroyed the Great Hall, Banqueting Suite, dressing rooms and ice rink. One source says it happened during routine repairs, another during Capital Radio's Jazz Festival.
From the records: “Early in 1980 Haringey Council took over the trusteeship of Alexandra Palace from the GLC, insuring it for £31 million, intending to refurbish the building but just six months later, during Capital Radio's Jazz Festival, a fire started under the organ and quickly spread.”
1988
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Open again
Alexandra Palace reopened to the public in 1988. An ice rink was put in in 1990, and in 1996 the Palace became a listed building, at the instigation of the Hornsey Historical Society.
From the records: “The Palace was reopened to the public in 1988 under a new management team headed by Louis Bizat.”
2007
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Darts and snooker
Since December 2007 Alexandra Palace has hosted the PDC World Darts Championship. The Masters snooker tournament was held there from 2012 to 2020 and from 2022 to 2025.
From the records: “Since December 2007 Alexandra Palace has hosted the PDC World Darts Championship, following 14 years from December 1993 to January 2007 of the tournament being held at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet, Essex.”
2013
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A nature reserve
In 2013 Alexandra Park was declared a local nature reserve.
From the records: “In 2013 Alexandra Park was declared a local nature reserve.”
2018
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The theatre returns
In 2004 the first performances for about 70 years took place in Alexandra Palace's Victorian theatre. In 2018 it was announced that, after the East Wing Restoration Project, the theatre would officially reopen to the public on 1 December 2018.
From the records: “The first performances for about 70 years took place in the theatre, first in its foyer in June 2004, then, in July, in the theatre itself.”
2021
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The Earthshot Prize
On 17 October 2021 the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge presented the first Earthshot Prizes at Alexandra Palace.
From the records: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge presented the inaugural Earthshot Prizes, with many celebrity guests, at Alexandra Palace on 17 October 2021.”