Ice Skating in London

We Londoners love to celebrate the capital’s traditional customs come Christmas. Roasted chestnuts on an open fire, carol singing in Trafalgar Square and kissing under the mistletoe, are just some of the many customs we continue in a bid to recapture the magic of a Victorian Christmas.

Outdoor skating is another time-honoured tradition that Londoners love. Taking to the ice surrounded by the capital’s magnificent historical architecture really is a fabulously festive experience. In recent years the delightful rink at Somerset House has dominated the skating scene. However, there are now heaps of ice rinks popping up all over the capital year after year. With skating facilities at the Tower of London, the Natural History Museum, Royal Windsor and on Hampstead Heath, some of London’s most historical attractions are dabbling in a spot of festive fun.

This year many a cheerful soul will be spotted gliding along, dressed in their best winter woollies with rosy pink cheeks. A bracing session of skating will be cosily followed by a steaming cup of hot chocolate in one of the rink-side cafés.

Delightfully magical, skating in the great outdoors is energetic, heaps of fun and blissfully Christmass-y. Enjoy!

Somerset House Ice Rink

Somerset House, The Strand, WC2R
22nd November 2006 - 28th January 2007
Come November, the magnificent courtyard of Somerset House will once again be transformed into a winter wonderland. Hosting London’s original outdoor ice rink, jovial folk flock onto the ice at this magnificent 18th century attraction. The setting is truly magical. Set at the foot of a giant Christmas tree festooned with lights, the vast expanse of sparkling ice stretches out across the courtyard.

Skaters and spectators are able to warm up with refreshments and beverages at the ice rink bar and café. During the day it’s a fabulous family destination. Kids just love scooting across the ice, tumbles and all. When darkness falls, the rink is transformed with flaming torches and wonderful lighting illuminating the classical facades of the courtyard. Romantics will fall head-over-heels for Somerset House.

This year the rink has introduced the concept of ice guides. These are qualified skaters on hand to provide assistance for individuals or groups of up to 15 people. You can hire an ice guide at £30 per one-hour session, subject to availability of course. Ice guides must be booked (by telephone only) when you purchase your tickets for skating, at least 48 hours prior to your session.

Fun and wonderfully evocative – it’s the perfect opportunity to don matching hats and gloves and embark on some wholesome, Christmas fun. Booking is essential. Despite facing stiff competition from a host of alternative ice rinks, it’s still best to get your skates on - prime-time slots sell out fast.

Somerset House Ice Rink - Information |Hotels near Somerset House

Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink

Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, KT8
2nd December 2006 - 14th January 2007

The striking Tudor façade of Hampton Court Palace provides a majestic backdrop to the open-air ice rink. It’s a wonderfully traditional way to enjoy the festive season. Located on the west front of Henry VIII’s historic palace, the rink affords sweeping views of its breathtaking architecture. Throughout December and January, folk can step back in time, strap on some skates and venture on to the ice, Tudor style.

The palace puts together a whole extravaganza of festive fun. Weary skaters can recharge at the Frost Fayre Café. Serving up a scrummy selection of hot refreshments, we particularly recommend a drop of rink-side mulled wine accompanied by a tasty mince pie.

The palace itself will be decadently adorned with wonderful decorations. It’s worth paying a little extra and taking a look inside. They pull out all the stops to create a time-honoured Christmas. It’s enchanting stuff that will definitely leave you with that warm festive glow. Incidentally, you can save 25% when you buy a joint ticket for the ice rink and entry to the palace.

This year they are also offering an ice skating course for budding young skaters between the ages of 5-16 years. The courses will start at 9am on Saturday 9th December 2006 and then continue for the following five Saturdays. Each of the six lessons will be 30 minutes long in a maximum group of 10. At just £65 per course per child it's a really fun, affordable way for your kids to learn something new and get active this Christmas.

Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink - Information | Hotels near Hampton Court Palace

Kew Gardens Ice Rink

Kew Gardens, Richmond, TW9
25th November 2006 - 7th January 2007

Festive folk can once again take to the ice this Christmas surrounded by the natural beauty of Kew Gardens. Redolent of Victorian times there is something particularly fresh and wholesome about skating here. On a crisp winter's day Kew sparkles. Its acres of woodland and mosaic of winter flowers offer up a wonderfully rustic scene. The outdoor rink has doubled in size this year allowing you plenty of space for icy high jinks. Jittery skaters and smitten couples can happily potter around the edge while further in, confident youngsters are free to race past.

Set in front of the glass radiance of the Temperate House, skaters can enjoy one of the most spectacular settings in London. Beside the rink, a cosy café serves up a feast of festive bites and warm drinks.

Skating at Kew Gardens is good clean fun and a fantastic opportunity to escape the city and take in a little of London’s more rural charms. We recommend you pay a little extra and explore the gardens and greenhouses. Booking is advised.

Kew Gardens Ice Rink - Information | Hotels near Kew Gardens

The Tower of London Ice Rink

The Tower of London, Tower Hill EC3N
25th November 2006 - 14th January 2007

Running for its second year, the outdoor ice rink at the Tower of London offers a grand and historical option for prospective skaters. Visitors can carve their route across the ice while taking in one of the most legendary buildings in London. Nestled in the rounded hollow of the Tower’s dry moat, the rink area is set to be a wonderfully festive scene. The ideal winter activity for kiddies, couples and chums, many a chirpy soul is set to take to the ice clad head-to-toe in their favourite winter togs. Afterwards, cold skaters are free to thaw out at the Moat Café, clutch hot chocolates and munch on mince pies.

It's worth paying a little extra and exploring the murky depths of the Tower too. For the past 900 years the medieval fortress on the Thames has provided the setting for a raft of primitive events. An array of famous historical characters met gruesome ends within its walls. Beefeaters, the Crown Jewels and a gory array of gruesome torture instruments make it a fantastically colourful attraction.

A well-priced combined ticket to the Tower and ice rink promises a whole heap of festive fun.

Tower of London Ice Rink - Information | Hotels near Tower of London

The Natural History Museum Ice Rink

The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7
9th November 2006 - 21st January 2007

Last year's maiden skating experience was a storming success, so the Natural History Museum will once again be icing over its gardens and inviting London's skaters on to their giant rink. As with everything this establishment does, the rink is outstanding and they really have put together a Christmas cracker of a festive attraction.

Hosted in the beautiful gardens, the 1000 square metre rink sits at the foot of the soaring, Romanesque museum building. It's a really stunning scene. The expanse of gleaming ice is gently overhung by tree branches draped in delicate Christmas lights while the building itself looms up over the rink showering a warm yellow glow onto the skaters from its large gothic windows. The additional junior rink is a particularly inspired touch allowing tiny tots to teeter about at their leisure without getting mown down by older, bigger skaters.

The cosy café bar enjoys a fantastic, wide-angle view over the ice. Offering a range of festive snacks and drinks, it’s a great place to sit back and absorb the buzzing Christmas mood.

Before you leave, make sure you browse the bright stalls at the museum’s Christmas Fair. With countless unusual gifts, selling everything from glassware to candles, it’s a great place to do a spot of Christmas shopping.

Natural History Museum Ice Rink - Information | Hotels near Natural History Museum

Canary Wharf Ice Rink

Canada Square Park, E14
18th November 2006 - 18th February 2007
Nestled amid the mirrored towers of Canary Wharf, a spectacular outdoor ice rink is set to add a cheerful ingredient of Christmas spirit to office life. Bejewelled by hundreds of dainty lights, Canada Square Park will be transformed into a fairy-tale Christmas kingdom. Boasting a 30m x 15m rink you and your chums can don winter garb and strut your stuff on the open ice. Topples and tumbles expected.

The Wharf’s rather modish, suited and booted types will no doubt pile out of their offices to sample a little festive fun come five o'clock. If you can dodge the city slickers, evening skates offer heaps of romance and will leave you both starry-eyed. Finish the night off with a festive tipple or two from the rink-side café.

Canary Wharf Ice Rink - Information | Hotels near Canada Square Park

Royal Windsor Ice Rink

Royal Windsor, Alexandra Gardens, SL4
2nd December 2006 - 7th January 2007
Festive folk can drink in the beauty of Royal Windsor as they zip around this giant rink. Alexandra Gardens will be hosting Windsor’s winter wonderland this year. Laid out in the early 1900s, the gardens still retain a refined Victorian charm. Towering above the rink, skaters will enjoy an awesome view of Windsor Castle. Its reserved grey walls, punctuated by prodigious medieval bastions, continue as far as the eye can see. It is one of the greatest surviving medieval castles in the world.

Even if you decide against the ice, the Thames Café is an inviting spot to enjoy a warm drink, enjoy the views and absorb a splash of seasonal joy.

When in Windsor, a visit to the castle is a must. Also take time to stroll around the town’s endearing cobbled streets. Adorned in twinkling Christmas lights it holds a traditional festive appeal that is just magical.

Royal Windsor Ice Rink - Information | Hotels near Alexandra Park, Windsor Castle

Greenwich Ice Rink

The Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk, SE10
2nd December 2006 - 14th January 2007

The 18th century Old Royal Naval College will once again be hosting an outdoor ice rink. Famous for its grandeur, the college represents English architecture at its grandest and most formal. With sweeping views across the Thames, it’s a remarkable place for a spot of yuletide skating.

Greenwich old town has long been regarded as a favourite weekend jaunt for both Londoners and tourists. Boasting a convenient cluster of top attractions, most noticeably the Cutty Sark and the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich always promises a grand day out.

But do wrap up in your warmest winter woollies - a gusty wind is known to blow off the river. There is always the rink-side café - a snug little establishment to sample a warm mug of mulled wine.

There will be 10 one-hour sessions per day. It’s best to make a decided dash for tickets, skating sessions at Greenwich sell-out fast.

Greenwich Ice Rink - Information | Hotels near Old Royal Naval College

Hampstead Heath Ice Rink

Parliament Hill Fields, Hampstead Heath, Highgate Road, NW5
2nd December 2006 - 14th January 2007

Nestled among the undulating hills and rugged wilderness of Hampstead Heath, festive folk will happen upon a vast sheet of shining ice on Parliament Hill Fields. This beautiful ice rink is a simply idyllic setting for seasonal skating. Buckets of open air, dense patches of woodland and plenty of lush, green glades this festive feature is a real chance to escape urban life and sample the freshness and rural simplicity of London’s very own countryside.

The rink is 900 square metres, so there is plenty of room to scoot around carving out a route across the ice. Make sure you dig out some warm winter togs – there is a decided nip in the air up on the heath so hats and gloves are a must. Afterwards, warm up with an aromatic cup of mulled wine and a tasty mince pie in the Field Café. Even if you’re not partial to skating the café is a really cosy spot for spectators. You can sit back, watch the skaters, soak up the seasonal fun and just enjoy the splendid beauty of the wonderful setting.

Hampstead Heath Ice Rink - Information | Hotels near Hampstead Heath

Cardinal Place Ice Rink

Cardinal Place, Victoria Street, Victoria, SW1
12th December 2006 - 19th February 2007

Ice skating on this rink is sure to provide welcome respite from a busy day of Christmas shopping. Cardinal Place is London’s snazziest new shopping venue. Housed under a curvaceous, new-age glass capsule it has become a bit of visual icon in Victoria.

The shopping mall is incredibly popular with Christmas shoppers – there is so much choice you will be able to pick up everything in one go. A spin on the ice will provide welcome respite from trawling round the shops searching for gifts. The rink is located in the very attractive Cardinal Gardens, above Marks and Sparks. It’s not huge but there’s plenty of space for pottering around on your skates, enjoying the fresh air and fun.

Cardinal Place Ice Rink - Information | Hotels near Cardinal Place