Okay, so if you aren’t a Torvill or Dean or Tonya Harding, then ‘gliding’ might be an exaggeration. Nevertheless, London’s finest ice skating rinks are still in business, so you can cautiously inch your way alongside the handrails with the best of them! Get your skates on ASAP, as these are the best ice skating rinks in the city.
1. Skylight, Tobacco Dock ice rink, open until January 2, 2023
The highest ice rink in town returns for another festive sesh. Ice skating with beautiful views over the city is always going to be a winner, and they’ll even be open on NYE! But you can also expect fondue, seasonal cocktails, and cosy igloos when you visit. And, let’s be honest, of course you’re going to visit… Grab your tickets for Skylight Tobacco Dock here. (Psst… We also hear they’re also offering 50% off on their final day of operation, what more excuse do you need to check it out?)
📍 You’ll find Skylight at Tobacco Dock, Wapping Lane, St Katharine’s & Wapping, E1W 2SF.
🚇 Nearest station: Shadwell.
🎟️ Tickets are available here.
2. Skate at Somerset House, open until January 15, 2023
Amongst the most iconic of the city’s ice rinks, the Somerset House rink is not to be missed. Their popular Skate Lates – evening sessions with specially curated music playlists – makes a return for 2022, featuring a returning partnership with Moët & Chandon. Find champagne cocktails at the Skate Lodge, and a beautiful 40ft Christmas tree out by the ice.
📍 You’ll find Somerset House ice rink at Somerset House on the Strand, WC2R 1LA.
🚇 Nearest station: Temple.
🎟️ Open between November 16 – January 15, 2022, adult tickets range from £10-20 and can be purchased here.
3. Alexandra Palace ice rink, open all year round
While this may be a permanent fixture, whatever the season, in London’s ice rink scene, there’s plenty of reasons to choose Ally Pally ice rink as your festive skating spot. You’ll catch the ice rink turning into a festive paradise between November 28 – January 8, with mulled wine, Baileys hot chocolate and mince pies to munch on between spins around the rink.
It also transforms into a disco dance floor on selected dates, meaning you can belt out some bangers as you glide around the historic hall. Ideal, right?
📍 Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY.
🚇 Nearest station: Wood Green.
🎟️ Adult tickets are £9.50 on weekdays, £10 on weekends & school holidays. Admission to evening Ice Disco sessions start at £11. More info here.
4. Glide At Battersea, open until January 8, 2023
Right, time to address the elephant in the room here: there’s one glaring omission from this list that you will have enjoyed in previous years. That’s because 2021 marked the final winter that the ice rink at the Natural History Museum graced our presence. But! All is not lost, friends. The same team behind it are giving us a brand new one over at London’s latest attraction: let us introduce you to the new Battersea Power Station ice rink.
Glide arrives on November 11, and boasts a 30ft Christmas tree, fairground rides, twinkling lights and photo booths; on top of the beautiful views of the historic building and a plethora of destinations to eat and shop.
📍 You’ll find Glide at Battersea at Circus Road West, Nine Elms, London, SW8 5BN.
🚇 Nearest station: Battersea Power Station.
🎟️ More info can be found here.
5. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, open until January 2, 2023
Proving once and for all that Winter Wonderland does nothing by halves, Hyde Park have set up the largest open air ice rink in the UK for yet another year, and we’re delighted to say that it’ll be back better than ever this Christmas!
Skate around the Victorian bandstand under a canopy of lights, and you may even get serenaded. The rest of Winter Wonderland is pretty magical too, offering a Christmas market, fairground rides, and karaoke hüttes. Is there any word more fun to say than hütte…?
📍 You’ll find the Winter Wonderland rink in Hyde Park, W2 2UH.
🚇 Nearest station: Hyde Park Corner.
🎟️ Tickets from £5.
6. Queen’s House, open until January 8, 2023
Another royal residence with an outdoor ice rink, this season marks the third year of The Queen’s House ice rink in Greenwich. Set amongst the dreamy surrounds of a UNESCO World Heritage site, the rink looks over the classical house and commands winning views of Greenwich Park.
📍 Find it at Queen’s House, Greenwich, SE10 9NF.
🚇 Nearest station is Cutty Sark For Greenwich Maritime. Open 10am-9pm daily.
🎟️ Adult tickets start from £16, find them here.
7. Hampton Court Palace, open until January 8, 2023
A right royal skating experience, is this one. The sixteenth-century palace makes for a stunning backdrop, particularly when night rolls around and the illuminations begin. The food is hot, the drinks are boozy, and you’ll feel like royalty come night’s end. While the royal ice rink isn’t open at the Tower Of London, the festive occasion here is sure to provide you with your fill.
📍 You’ll find Hampton Court Palace in East Molesey, KT8 9AU.
🚇 Nearest station: Hampton Court (National Rail).
🎟️ Open from November 17 – January 8, 2023. Adult tickets start from £17.50, book them here.
8. Canary Wharf ice rink, open until February 25, 2023
Returning for 2022 is perhaps the longest-running of the ice rinks on this list: you’ll be able to enjoy the action on this ice rink for a whopping four months! You’ll find the spot over at Canada Square Park and you’ll be bowled over by their spectacular roof, boasting over 1,000 lights to give you a suitably festive feel. More info and booking here.
📍 You’ll find Canary Wharf ice rink at Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf, E14 5AB
🚇 Nearest station is Canary Wharf (E14).
🎟️ Adult tickets start from £19.95.
9. Westfield London Winter Village, open until January 8, 2023
As part of Westfield London’s delightfully festive Winter Village pop-up, their brand spanking new ice rink is the first in six long years. And to make a return with a splash, they’ve gone and dropped a ma-hoo-sive Christmas tree right in the middle of it. It’s so massive in fact (almost 65ft!) that it’s Europe’s tallest Christmas tree on an ice rink. Don’t get too distracted by it as you’re whizzing your way around it though! More info and booking here.
📍 Find the Winter Village Ice Rink in Westfield Square at Westfield London, White City, W12 7GF.
🚇 Nearest stations are Wood Lane and White City.
🎟️ Adult tickets start from £15.50.
10. Camden Market ice rink
Camden Market’s ice rink – which opened back in 2019 – was engineered to fit within the narrow confines of the North Yard, meaning it’s very long but rather thin. Still it’s a fine rink, and with Santa’s grotto and a fairytale dessert cafe Hans & Gretel right nearby, it’ll make for a pretty magical skating experience. We weren’t blessed by its presence last year, but let’s hope we see it once again one day!
📍 You’ll find the ice rink at Camden Market North Yard, Camden Stables Market, NW1 8AH.
🚇 Nearest stations are Camden Town and Chalk Farm.
11. Bar Elba’s rooftop ice rink
Rooftop skating came to Waterloo, as noted summer hangout Bar Elba’s ice rink made a play to capture the winter crowds. Their first-ever ice rink was small but perfectly formed, with skyline views and hot gin punch just made for a lovely winter soiree. Fingers crossed we see this at one of our favourite bars once more!
📍 109-117 Waterloo Road, SE1 8UL.
🚇 Nearest station is Waterloo.
Also published on Medium.