Where to go ice skating: London rinks to glide on this winter

Skate West End, Hanover Square

Hark! What's this? A new, glistening ice rink? And in central London? Yes, indeed. And it's for a good cause, supporting Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. Located a stone's throw from Oxford Circus, it's a pretty one too, lined with trees that are a'twinkling with fairy lights. Give it a test glide and you'll be helping those behind it with their mission of raising £55,000 for the charity.

Glide at Battersea Power Station

While central London is still mourning the loss of the Natural History Museum’s ice rink, that loss has proved south London’s gain, as last year saw the team behind it – who are also in charge of the rink at Winter Wonderland – open a seasonal ice rink outside Battersea Power Station. Practise your spins, glides and twirls across three interconnecting ice rinks watched over by twinkling fairy lights and a giant, glowing Christmas tree. There's vintage funfair rides too, and cabins serving steaming mugs of mulled wine.

The rink is sponsored by Jo Malone and, frankly, it would be rude not to browse the fragrance brand's pop-up while you're there…

Skate at Somerset House

Skate at Somerset House runs from mid-November until mid-January and the season is littered with several special events, including Rock Angel Skate Lates and rink-side DJ sets. Glide in front of a majestic 40ft Christmas tree, then make an occasion of it by slipping into chef Jimmy Garcia's Chalet Suisse for an Alpine-themed feast, or sipping a mug of mulled Provence rosé, courtesy of Whispering Angel, in the Skate Lounge.

Queen’s House ice rink, Greenwich

The ice rink in front of the Queen’s House in Greenwich has returned for a fifth year. Here, you can skate against the backdrop of the Unesco World Heritage site, while enjoying views over the Old Royal Naval College and out to Canary Wharf beyond.

WIN TICKETS

We have teamed up with Royal Museums Greenwich to give away a pair of tickets to skate at the Queen’s House Ice Rink plus lunch for two at Benugo’s Parkside Café.

Enter Here

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland ice rink

There's plenty to excite at the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland this year, including the all-important, glittering ice rink. Set around a Victorian bandstand and lit by the glow of 100,000 Christmas lights, the rink is one of the most festive you'll find in London. Sessions run every hour on the hour and last 50 minutes. The park recommends turning up 20 minutes before your booked session.

Hampton Court Palace

If the Tudor apartments, kitchens and glorious views overlooking the historic Thames haven't been enough to tempt you to visit Hampton Court Palace, then its skating rink might just do the trick. The ice rink is situated spectacularly beside the red-brick Tudor frontage and is joined by the Ice Bar & Café, offering a welcome place for skaters to stop and snack.

Kids looking to improve their skating skills can enlist the help of one of Hampton Court's patient instructors, who can organise a personal, supervised skate session to get them up to speed.

Rooftop ice rink, Skylight, Tobacco Dock

Wapping's highest party playground is being frozen over once again this winter as Skylight brings back its rooftop ice rink, offing the chance to swoop around on what it claims to be Europe's only rooftop ice rink. Once you're done skating, cosy up in one of its igloos with a festive spread: hot chocolate, mulled wine and raclette are all on the menu.

Alexandra Palace ice rink

Although open all year round, Alexandra Palace ice rink is never more charming than at Christmas, when the glistening chandelier dangling above the ice twinkles with festive cheer. The rink was further certified as a festive venue in 2019 when it featured in the Emma Thompson-helmed flick Last Christmas (pictured).

The ice rink at Kingdom Of Winter, ExCel

To glide around this ice rink, you'll first need to navigate your way through the vast new Christmas-themed complex that is Kingdom of Winter. Sounding a little like an indoor Winter Wonderland, it boasts alpine stalls, fairground rides and, wait for it, an 'ice expedition' as well as an ice skating rink. Sessions on the rink last 45 minutes and are open to skaters of all abilities.

Ice Rink Canary Wharf

Canada is known for its skating rinks, as is London's Canada Square Park. Boasting the longest run of all of the city's seasonal ice rinks, this glittering gem is up and running from mid October, until late February 2024. While open-sided, it's covered too, so no need to worry about dreary, slushy weather ruining your fun.