How about seeing the capital of England upside down from a completely different optical angle this summer—and without needing to do a handstand at all? The art organization Pinhole London offers a unique “Camera Obscura” experience lasting for just nine days at Alexandra Palace, one of North London’s iconic landmarks. Offering the opportunity to watch that famous city skyline encompassing iconic structures like The Shard and the BT Tower completely inverted from the building’s famous terrace, this event also allows you to observe people strolling through Alexandra Palace Park in the foreground via a simultaneous upside down illusion.
Meaning literally dark room and laying the groundwork for the invention of modern photography, this centuries-old optical technique still maintains its fascination today. Based on the principle of projecting the outside landscape upside down onto the opposite wall through a small hole opened into a completely dark box or room, this illusion is actually no stranger to the streets of the UK. Similar installations already exist in London, turning the River Thames and the Royal Naval College upside down in the courtyard of the Royal Observatory Greenwich, and showcasing neighboring Ramillies Street at The Photographers’ Gallery near Oxford Circus. In fact, those whose paths have crossed the Museum of Illusions in Edinburgh might have previously had the chance to watch the famous Royal Mile street and the city’s rooftops through this historical viewfinder.
Allowing you to look at the capital skyline from a brand-new and fun perspective, this special Pinhole London event will be open to visitors daily between 14:00 and 18:00 from August 1 to August 9, 2026. You can reserve your spot by booking tickets in advance, or you can enter directly at the door. The suggested donation amount for this short-term experience, where you will witness the hustle and bustle of the city through a historical optical lens, is just £3.
