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 capital this year.
1. Skylight, Tobacco Dock ice rink, runs from November 11 until December 31, 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 for a pre-2024 skate! 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 which includes a main meal (bao buns and burgers we see you), ice skating for two and a bottle of house wine too.
📍 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, runs from November 15 until January 14, 2024
Amongst the most iconic of the city’s ice rinks, the Somerset House rink is not to be missed. This year sees their spectacular courtyard transformed into a glorious festive destination with a uniquely Swiss winter vibe courtesy of none other than Switzerland Tourism. Their popular Skate Lates – evening sessions with specially curated music playlists – makes a return for 2023, featuring a partnership with prestigious wine brand Whispering Angel. Find a pop-up store, Shelter Boutique, which will be stocking a handpicked selection of pre-loved vintage, designer and high-street clothing and gifts, and a beautiful 40ft Christmas tree out by the ice.
📍 You’ll find the Somerset House ice rink at Somerset House on the Strand, WC2R 1LA.
🚇 Nearest station: Temple.
🎟️ Open between November 15 2023 – January 14, 2024, adult tickets range from £9.50-18 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 December 14 2023 to January 3 2024 , 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?
📍 You’ll find it at Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY.
🚇 Nearest station: Wood Green.
🎟️ Open all year round. Adult tickets are £9.50 on weekdays, £11 on weekends & school holidays. Admission to evening Ice Disco sessions start at £16.50. More info here.
4. Glide At Battersea, runs from November 10 2023 until January 7, 2024
2021 sadly marked the final winter that the ice rink at the Natural History Museum graced our presence. But luckily for us, last year saw the same team behind it give us a brand-new one over at London’s latest attraction… Ladies and gentlemen – the Battersea Power Station ice rink!
Glide arrives this year on November 10, and boasts a 30ft Christmas tree, vintage fairground rides, twinkling lights, street food galore and photo booths; on top of the beautiful panoramic views of the historic building and a plethora of destinations to eat and shop. Perfect date spot, right?!
📍 You’ll find Glide at Battersea at Circus Road West, Nine Elms, London, SW8 5BN.
🚇 Nearest station: Battersea Power Station.
🎟️ Open between November 10 2o23 – January 7 2024. Adult tickets are £12.50 and can be purchased here.
5. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, runs from November 17 2023 until January 1, 2024
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 glittering lights, and you may even get serenaded.
The rest of Winter Wonderland is pretty magical too, offering a Christmas market, hair-raising rides (including an 85-metre-tall drop tower), an Oktoberfest-style hall 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.
🎟️ Open between November 17 2023 – January 1 2024. Adult tickets are £15 for the ice rink and can be purchased here.
6. Queen’s House, runs from November 23, 2023 open until January 7, 2024
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’s delightful Park.
📍 Find it at Queen’s House, Greenwich, SE10 9NF.
🚇 Nearest station is Cutty Sark For Greenwich Maritime. Open 10am-9pm daily.
🎟️ Open between November 23, 2023 – January 7 2024. Adult tickets start from £17 and can be purchased here.
7. Hampton Court Palace, runs from November 17, 2023 until January 7, 2024
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 (and its seems it will remain that way), 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 2023 – January 7, 2024. Adult tickets start from £20.30 and you can purchase them here.
8. Canary Wharf ice rink, runs from October 21, 2023 until February 24, 2024
Returning for 2023 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. They’ve also got curling, music events and more.
📍 You’ll find Canary Wharf ice rink at Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf, E14 5AB
🚇 Nearest station is Canary Wharf (E14).
🎟️ Open from October 21 2023 – February 24, 204. Adult tickets start from £20.95 and you can purchase them here.
9. The Ice Rink at Westfield London, runs from November 10, 2023 until January 7, 2024
Last year saw the arrival of Westfield London’s delightfully-festive Winter Village pop-up with a fantastic new ice rink – the first in six long years! And to make a return with a splash, they dropped a ma-hoo-sive Christmas tree right in the middle of it. It was so massive in fact (almost 65ft!) that it laid claim to the title of being Europe’s tallest Christmas tree on an ice rink. This year’s details are more under wraps, though we know that the ice rink is returning this year once more! Winner, winner.
📍 You’ll find the Winter Village Ice Rink in Westfield Square at Westfield London, White City, W12 7GF.
🚇 Nearest stations are Wood Lane and White City.
🎟️ Open from November 10, 2023 – January 7, 2024. Adult tickets start from £16.30 and you can purchase them here.
10. Skate West End, runs from November 4, 2023 until January 1, 2024
London’s newest ice rink, Skate West End will skate its way (sorry) into Mayfair’s Hanover Square this November, and is brought to the capital by none other than Underbelly, in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Just a short walk from both Oxford Street and Regent Street; this brand-spanking-new rink will be the perfect spot for after-work fun – and it’s the capital’s first elliptical-shaped (oval) ice rink – designed to emulate the shape of GOSH Charity’s iconic logo.
But that’s not all – Hanover Square itself will be turned into a complete festive wonderland. The ice rink itself will be built around a central bar – will which serve up a selection of delicious drinks and winter-warmers for skaters and spectators alike – and even better, a percentage of every ticket will be donated directly to GOSH. So best book your spot then!
📍 You’ll find Skate West End at Hanover Square, Mayfair, Westminster, W1S 1JA.
🚇 Nearest station is Oxford Circus.
🎟️ Open from November 4 2023 – January 1, 2024. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday October 25, and you can find out more here.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best ice rinks in London this festive season. Whether you’re wanting to rock it like a royal at Hampton Court or check out the capital’s newest spot right in the heart of town – this roundup should have you more than covered this year!
Also published on Medium.