Lace Up For London’s Festive Outdoor Ice Rinks
By
7 months ago
Get your skates on – Christmas is coming
Whether you’re a pro glider or more of a cling-to-the-handrails kind of skater, a trip to one of London’s outdoor ice rinks is guaranteed to get you feeling festive. From Skylight’s rooftop to the brand-new Kensington Palace rink, here are the ones to book this winter.
Looking For Year-Round Ice Rinks? See Our Full Guide Here
Best Outdoor Ice Rinks in London
Ice Rink Canary Wharf
21 October 2023–24 February 2024 at Ice Rink Canary Wharf (Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AB)
Running for a whopping 18 weeks, London’s longest running seasonal ice rink returns this winter. Ice Rink Canary Wharf has the advantage of being covered, meaning you can visit regardless of the weather. Located in Canada Square, the rink is set beneath the glow of thousands of fairy lights and a giant mirror ball, with an Offpiste Bar for those who prefer to spectate than skate. icerinkcanarywharf.co.uk
Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink
17 November 2023–7 January 2024 at Hampton Court Palace (Hampton Court Way, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU)
If a striking setting is high on your list, head to Hampton Court Palace to skate with views of Henry VIII’s historic Tudor palace. Little ones in need of a helping hand can pre-book skate aid helpers, and there’s something for all the family at the Ice Rink Café & Bar, which serves food platters, mince pies, hot chocolate and mulled wine. hamptoncourtpalaceicerink.co.uk
The Queen’s House Ice Rink
23 November 2023–7 January 2024 at Queen’s House (Romney Rd, London SE10 9NF)
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Head over to Greenwich to skate in Royal surroundings at the Queen’s House, with the annual rink returning for 2023/24. Skate amid the storied history of Greenwich, with glittering views of Canary Wharf to the north. There are relaxed sessions for any less confident skaters, plus special sessions for little ones. rmg.co.uk
ICE at Kensington Palace
30 November 2023–7 January 2024 at Kensington Palace (Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX)
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New to the London ice skating scene this year is ICE at Kensington Palace, part of a brand new festive pop-up, ‘A Magical Winter Experience at Kensington Palace’. It’s set to be the UK’s largest ever ice rink, measuring at 2,800 sqm and the same length as a football field, with space for a whopping 750 skaters at once. Guided by green principles, £1 from every ticket sold will go towards eco charities and causes, while Green Biofuels and Aggreko will be fueling the event. Meanwhile, tuck into delicious cuisine from Cecconi’s in the VIP area, a shop Fortnum & Mason treats in the dedicated pop-up shop. icekensingtonpalace.co.uk
Skate at Somerset House
15 November 2023–14 January 2024 at Somerset House (Strand, London WC2R 1LA)
David Jensen
Each year, the neoclassical courtyard at Somerset House is transformed into a festive wonderland, complete with outdoor ice rink. It’s a staple on London’s winter scene, this year with Switzerland Tourism as a headline sponsor, with festive feasting by Jimmy Garcia at Chalet Suisse returning for a second year. New for 2023 is a series of Skate Lates with Rock Angel, featuring rink-side deck takeovers from a curated line-up of contemporary DJs, artists and collectives. Plus the Skate School is back for beginners, while Shelter Boutique and HSBC UK will be hosting a pop-up store of vintage garms. somersethouse.org.uk
Rooftop Ice Rink At Skylight
From 10 November–31 December 2023 at Skylight Tobacco Dock (London E1W 2SF)
Photo by Steve Dunlop
Come winter, Tobacco Dock’s Skylight transforms into a cosy winter hangout, complete with its very own rooftop ice rink – the only real-ice rooftop rink in Europe. Being located on a rooftop means spectacular city views as you skate, and heated après-skate bars serve up winter cocktails, steaming jugs of mulled wine and festive fare from street food traders. Plus, this year the offerings are bigger and better than ever with a brand new heated Igloo Village (open from 17 October until early spring 2024) complete with faux-fur rugs and thick blankets, with each seating ten with full table service delivering wintery cocktails, street food and Alpine inspired treats. Skating sessions are 45 minutes long and £15 per person, with safety penguins available for those who need a helping hand. Note that it’s first come, first served and you cannot pre-book tickets. skylightbars.com
Glide at Battersea Power Station
10 November 2023–7 January 2024 at Battersea Power Station (Nine Elms, London SW11 8EF)
The team behind the Natural History Museum rink (which had its last year in 2021) will return to Battersea Power Station this winter with the second year of Glide, set against the backdrop of the iconic building with the River Thames just beside. Jo Malone is returning as the headline sponsor, and as you skate you can enjoy live music from local independent solo acts, bands and DJs offering a mix of acoustic, pop, R&B and house. Grab a warming drink from the on-site bar, or go all out and book an igloo for you and your friends, which have capacity for groups of four or eight people. glidebatterseapowerstation.co.uk
Winter Wonderland
17 November 2023–1 January 2024 at Winter Wonderland (Hyde Park, London)
Hyde Park’s Christmas extravaganza is home to a huge ice rink ripe for the skating, set under a canopy of twinkling lights and built around the Victorian bandstand. It’s open from 10am to 10pm daily, and welcomes all ages and abilities, with wheelchairs also allowed on the ice. Afterwards, soak up the unparalleled festive atmosphere of Winter Wonderland, which features a Bavarian village, funfair rides and numerous street food stalls. hydeparkwinterwonderland.com
Main image: Somerset House by David Jensen
