Hotels for Beth Orton

Beth Orton's shows draw on decades of songwriting that moves between folk, electronica and something harder to name, so expect a set built for close listening rather than singalongs. Her voice sits somewhere between fragile and steady, and the arrangements tend to leave space around it. A Thursday evening slot suits the material well, giving the night a quieter, more contemplative feel than a weekend crowd might bring. Fans who've followed her work since the nineties tend to make up a good part of the audience.

Perched on a north London hilltop with sweeping views over the city, 'Ally Pally' is a grand Victorian pleasure palace turned much-loved concert, festival and darts venue. Its surrounding parkland, boating lake and the leafy streets of Muswell Hill and Wood Green give the area a relaxed, village-ish feel.

Alexandra Palace rail station and buses climb toward the entrance, linking to King's Cross in minutes. An overnight base nearby means you can enjoy the hilltop setting without a long downhill journey after dark.