Ready to discover London’s ice rinks? When the winter months set in and Christmas looms large in the calendar, there are two things we find ourselves saying: where’s the mulled wine? And pass the skates.
It’s time to wrap up warm and make your way to one of London’s many ice skating rinks for a truly magical winter experience.
Whether you know your axel jumps from your toe loops, or just want to shuffle slowly with the help of the handrail – ice skating in London is great fun and the perfect way to work on your skills when the winter months hit.
Some of these rinks are year-round, some magically appear in the runup to Christmas – either way, we’ve chosen 14 of the city’s best ice skating rinks for you to show off your skills.
Where to go Ice Skating in London
Somerset House
Located on the south side of the Strand and overlooking the iconic River Thames – Somerset House is amongst the city’s most iconic outdoor ice skating rinks in London.
Their popular evening sessions known as Skate Lates, which feature curated music playlists, are making a return this year and boast a partnership with Rock Angel.
You can enjoy awesome food at the Chalet Swiss restaurant by Jimmy Garcia, enjoy a glass of Provence Rose at the Skate Lounge, and check out the vintage togs at the Shelter Boutique. All that and a 40ft Christmas Tree sparkling away at the edge, what’s not to love?
Somerset House ice skating rink opens between November 15th – January 14th 2024. It’s just a short walk away from Temple tube station. Adult tickets can be purchased here.
Battersea Power Station
A newcomer to the list is Glide at Battersea Power Station. They’re throwing their hat into the ring (or should that be rink) with a three-part skate arena featuring a giant 30ft christmas tree centrepiece.
Sounds like they’re not messing around.
After opening to coincide with the big opening of the redeveloped power station, they’re back again this year with their rink around the Christmas Tree all in front of the iconic twin chimneys of the power station.
There’ll also be food and drink stands in full winter-wonderland esque style around the rink itself.
As well as beautiful views of the power station all lit up, and lights shining off the river…
Sounds like an ideal spot for a date
We wrote all about it here
To book your skating tickets check their website
Queen’s House Ice Rink
Go ice skating in one of South-East London’s most beautiful locations. Take in some of the capital’s best landscapes as you glide around the smooth ice of Queen’s House Ice Rink, set on the grounds of Royal Museums Greenwich.
Based in a UNESCO World Heritage Site and surrounded by stunning architecture, this London ice skating rink is the place to go for enchanting winter views of Greenwich Park to the south, and Canary Wharf to the North.
The rink is open from the 23r November this year until 7th January 2023 (Christmas Day excluded). Please note advance tickets are necessary.
Streatham Ice Rink
Streatham
Boasting a full size 60x30m ice pad and seating for over 900 spectators, the Olympic-sized ice skating rink at Streatham is a great option for those wanting a larger, more open space to practice their skating on.
This is another year-round rink and offers lessons, ice hockey and even a membership option for people who want to go more regularly.
For ice skating in south London – Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre is the place to be.
Canary Wharf Ice Rink
Open for a whopping 18 weeks, Canary Wharf ice rink’s big sell is that you can skate around under the twinkling lights of all those tall buildings.
The lights are refracted (and added to for good measure) by the rink’s translucent ceiling and mirror disco ball.
Plus all that roofing means your skate sessions can’t get rained off. Not bad eh?
The rink’s open from the 21st of October to the 24th of February 2023. Grab tickets here.
Skylight
Nestled into the rooftops of the excellent little food and drink hub Skylight at Tobacco Dock is a small but mighty ice rink.
What it lacks in size, it makes up for in style. Think views of London and a full spread of shacks turning out warming food and mulled wines within arms reach. £15 gets you 45 minutes on the rink with skate rental included.
Not cool enough for you? Well they’re Europe’s only rooftop ice skating rink, and they have heated igloos for you to chill out in après skate. How’s that?
Hampton Court Palace
Hampton
The Tower of London ice rink has long had a reputation as one of the most exciting locations to skate at. However, after closing last year one of London’s best skating locations has shifted to another former royal palace.
This alternative skate experience at Hampton Court Place, where you can enjoy seasonable skating at Henry VIII’s historic home and unleash your inner Anne Boleyn or Katherine Parr until 7th January 2024.
Go in the daytime to enjoy a visit to the palace itself afterwards, or attend one of their ambient evening skate sessions to witness the palace as it is illuminated in multi-coloured lights.
Alexandra Palace
Alexandra Palace
Also known as the “Ally Pally Ice Rink”, this indoor ice skating rink in London is open all year, so you can get your skates on whatever the season!
The large size of this rink means that it is suitable for first-timers through to seasoned pros – and provides the perfect space to practice the feeling of flying as you skate around the beautiful Grade II listed venue.
Festive skating season (skating to your fav Xmas tunes) is from the 28th November – 8th January. Book tickets here.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Kensington
Ice skating in London at Christmas is the best activity to get you in the holiday spirit. Hyde Park offers the full festive experience at their renowned Winter Wonderland – a Christmas market, amusement park, circus and ice skating rink all in one easy-to-reach location.
Enjoy the twinkling fairy lights as you glide around the park’s beautiful rink, and reward your skating efforts with a snack from one of the venue’s many food stalls offering mulled wine and more.
This year, it runs from the 18th of November and ends on New Year’s Day 2024.
Westfield Shepherd’s Bush Rink
Westfield, ever on a mission to provide you with almost everything you’d need to practically live in the mall, are once again opening an outdoor ice rink this year.
And never ones to let mediocrity get in the way of a good time, they’ve also got Europe’s tallest Christmas tree right in the heart of the rink for you to admire as you skate. What a way to get into the Christmas spirit.
The rink is open from November 10th to Sunday January 7th 2024.
Queens Skate Dine Bowl
Queensway
Many ice skating rinks in London are seasonal, but Queens Skate provides the opportunity to skate all year round.
Whether you want to practice building your speed, or would like a few lessons from a pro – Queens Ice Skating rink is the place to go.
It even offers the party experience on certain weekends, helping you get that Friday feeling as you skate to the beat of big tunes and multicoloured lights.
JW3
Hampstead
Located on Finchley Road, JW3 – a Jewish arts hub – has introduced an outdoor skating rink in the heart of North-West London to help celebrate the festive season.
Open until 7th January 2024, this 200 metre-square rink comes with shimmering and glimmering lights, awesome soundtracks and one of the best icy atmospheres imaginable.
Their welcoming ethos welcomes skaters of all ages and abilities, with penguin stabilisers and banana toboggans available.
The hub comes with a huge array of other exciting features to help you make a day of it, including an on-sight cinema and cafe. Indeed, JW3 are offering a comprehensive package including a film and snacks for one special price.
Skate West End
The newest addition to London’s festive array of ice rinks is Skate West End. Located in the heart of Mayfair’s Hanover Square, this cute skating rink has been organised by Underbelly and is supporting Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Open until New Year’s Day 2024, this is one of London’s most beautifully designed rinks, designed in an elliptical shape to emulate the shape of the iconic GOSH logo.
If you get hungry or thirsty you won’t have far to go for a little refreshment or mulled wine, with Hanover Square being transformed into a festive hub, full of cool outlets serving all your winter warmers. Not only that, but the centre of the rink will see a central bar quenching your thirst with a share of the proceeds being donated to GOSH.
Book your skating and pre-book your festive drinks here.
Lee Valley Ice Centre
Leyton
While London isn’t exactly overstocked with indoor skating rinks available all year round, the Lee Valley Ice Centre is a brand-new state-of-the-art facility that is the only one of its kind in southeast England.
The ice skating rink is home to a range of courses for skaters of all abilities, as well as public skating sessions and is home to the Lee Valley Lions Ice Hockey team and Lee Valley London Skating Club.
There’s also a state-of-the-art gym on site if you want to combine a chilly workout with a warmer one, an exercise studio that is home to spin, Zumba, yoga, and ballet fit classes and the Brew Street Cafe where you can recharge and re-energise after expending yourself on the ice.
