These are the best places to go ice skating in London this winter
It’s time to don your hat, gloves and scarf and go ice skating! We’ve narrowed down the best ice rinks in London to test your skating skills this winter, as well as some honorary mentions for top ice rinks across the UK.
What kind of ice skater are you? There’s the enthusiastic beginner who pulls themselves along by the handrail, secretly wishing they were young enough to ask for a penguin aid; the show-off who can’t resist whizzing up and down the rink; and the genuine ice skater who knows their toe loop from their Lutz - and who we’re infinitely jealous of.
Regardless of your ice skating ability, trying your hand on an ice rink is a fun activity, and something the whole family can get involved in.
London has no shortage of ice rinks. There’s some which are open all year round like Alexandra Palace’s Ice Rink and Streatham’s Ice Centre, and plenty which pop up at this time of the year, like Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland one and Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink. Plus, there’s a new kid on the skating block this winter: Battersea Power Station.
So channel your inner Torvill and Dean. The RadioTimes.com team have been scouring the web so you can find the best places to go ice skating in London this Christmastime.
For more festive activities, take a look at the best UK Christmas markets and the best Christmas days out in the UK or pick up one of our best Christmas light projectors. If you're planning New Years Eve, check out our guide to the best events in London to ring in the new year.
Best ice rinks in London at a glance:
- Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink, from £14.50
- Glide at Battersea Power Station, from £12.65
- Ice Skating at Skylight Tobacco Dock, from £54
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, from £5
- Festive Skate at Ally Pally, from £6.50
- Skate at Somerset House, from £7.50
- Queen's House Ice Rink, from £10
- Ice Rink Canary Wharf, from £14.95
Best places to go ice skating in London 2022
Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink
Secure your ice skating boots and take in the magnificent Tudor palace, which was home to none other than Henry VIII, at Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink. It arguably has some of the best views in the whole of London, and the actual rink is huge, so there’s plenty of room to glide freely.
Buy Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink tickets from £14.50 at See Tickets
Glide at Battersea Power Station
The much-anticipated redevelopment of the Grade II listed power station was completed this year, which means Battersea Power Station is now open to the public - and it has plenty of exciting things in store for us.
As well as restaurants, bars, a cinema and snazzy glass lift, there’s a brand-new ice rink. Enjoy views of the Thames as you make your way across three interconnecting rinks, which are adorned with twinkling lights and feature a giant 30ft Christmas tree.
Buy Glide at Battersea Power Station tickets from £12.65 at Ticketmaster
Ice Skating at Skylight Tobacco Dock
If you’re thinking of organising a festive date night, then ice skating at Skylight Tobacco Dock is a brilliant way to break the ice (we’ll show ourselves out…). This ice skating package for two includes a 45-minute session on Europe’s first rooftop rink, two main meals, and one bottle of wine to share.
Buy Ice Skating at Skylight Tobacco Dock tickets from £54 at Fever
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
If you think of ice skating in London, chances are your mind will first go to the iconic Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. The annual festive event boasts the largest open air ice rink in the UK.
Buy Hyde Park Winter Wonderland tickets from £5 at See Tickets
Festive Skate at Ally Pally
Alexandra Palace’s ice rink is open all year round, but at Christmas, the venue goes the extra mile to transform it into a winter wonderland.
The Festive Skate sessions, which run from November 28th 2022 to January 8th 2023, include Christmas tunes and festive food and drink from the café, like mulled wine, Baileys hot chocolate and mince pies. Mmmmm!
Buy Festive Skate at Ally Pally tickets from £6.50 at Alexandra Palace
Have a go at making your own mince pies with Good Food’s unbelievably easy mince pie recipe.
Skate at Somerset House
As well as the ice skating experience, Somerset House also offers Skate Lates with live DJs, Skate School lessons, food and drink, and a Skate Lounge with cocktails and champagne.
Buy Skate at Somerset House tickets from £7.50 at Somerset House
Queen's House Ice Rink
Set in the grounds of Royal Museums Greenwich, Queen’s House Ice Rink has fantastic views and is wonderfully lit-up for late night skates.
Buy Queen's House Ice Rink tickets from £10 at RMG
Ice Rink Canary Wharf
With the unpredictable British weather, this ice rink is a safe choice as it has a roof! Skate underneath a giant mirror ball and Canary Wharf’s skyline, then head to the Off Piste Bar for a well-deserved bite.
Buy Ice Rink Canary Wharf tickets from £14.95 at Ice Rink Canary Wharf
Best ice rinks in the UK
Now for a couple of special mentions. They’re not in London, but that obviously doesn’t mean they aren’t as magical as the ones that are.
Royal Pavilion Ice Rink, Brighton
If you’re celebrating Christmas in Brighton this year, then why not head over to the Royal Pavilion Ice Rink? This ice skating arena is powered entirely by green energy, and if you go in the evening, you’ll see it lit up in pinks and purples for a truly dazzling experience.
Buy Royal Pavilion Ice Rink tickets from £10 at See Tickets
Christmas at Warwick Castle
If our Christmas elves are correct, we’re led to believe that Warwick Castle’s ice rink is the only ice rink within castle grounds.
Find out more about Christmas at Warwick Castle
Buy Christmas at the Castle tickets at Warwick Castle Breaks
If you need some inspiration for your Christmas shopping, why not treat a loved one to an experience day? Here are the best West End shows and the best London experience gifts.
