Find o ut prices, opening times and transport details for the capital’s alfresco, pop-up ice rinks this Christmas and winter season.
One of the most festive activities you can do in London is glide – or stumble – across one of London’s many pop-up ice rinks. Some of the capital’s most stunning buildings and palaces provide the backdrop to temporary outdoor ice rinks during the winter season. Along with the ice, you can often expect hot toddies, Christmas food, and special events, such as ice discos. Some rinks offer lessons for those new to the sport or lacking confidence in their balance.
This year, the Natural History Museum is no longer hosting a rink, however there’s a new addition at the recently-opened Battersea Power Station complex.
Here’s a guide to London’s temporary outdoor ice rinks this 2022/2023 season:
- 22 October 2022 – 25 February 2023 : Canary Wharf Ice Rink
London’s longest outdoor rink is in the capital’s financial centre and comes with a roof so offers rain-proof fun! There’s also an off-piste bar serving food and drink. Open daily. Sessions last 50 minutes. Tickets only available online. Tickets: Adults and over 13yrs £19.95, Children 3-12 yrs £14.95. Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf, E14. Nearest station: Canary Wharf. For booking, visit the Ice Rink Canary Wharf website.
- 28 October 2022 – January 2023 : Skylight London (Tobacco Dock)
Skate on London’s rooftops with views of the City of London’s skyscrapers. Features alfresco and covered bars, igloos, and street food. Open Thu-Sun only. Free entry to Skylight. Skating tickets: £15 (45 minutes inc. skate hire). Skylight (Pennington Street entrance), Tobacco Quay, Wapping, E1CW 2SF. Nearest station: Shadwell or Wapping. For booking and more information, visit the Skylight London website.
- 11 November 2022 – 8 January 2023 : Glide @ Battersea Power Station
The newest addition to London’s pop-up ice rinks is set against the Art Deco backdrop of the renovated Battersea Power Station complex. Nearby you can enjoy live entertainment, vintage fun fair rides or food and drink. Open Mon-Fri 10am-10pm, Sat-Sun 9am-11pm. Tickets: Adults £12-£19.80, Children 12 yrs and under £8-£12.75. Battersea Power Station, Circus Road West, Battersea, SW8 5BN. Nearest stations: Battersea Power Station, Battersea Park or Queenstown Road Battersea. For more information, visit the Battersea Power Station ice rink website.
- 16 November 2022 – 15 January 2023 : Skate @ Somerset House
One of London’s most popular outdoor rinks returns to the Neo-Classical courtyard of Somerset House. There will also be rinkside food and drink, skating lessons, club nights and more. Open daily 9.30am-9.30pm. Tickets: Adults £10-£22. Somerset House, Strand, Westminster, WC2R 1LA. Nearest station: Temple. For booking, visit the Somerset House website.
Skate in the historic Georgian courtyard of Somerset House
- 17 November 2022 – 8 January 2023 : Queen’s House Ice Rink
An ice rink fit for a queen is situated outside the majestic Palladian Queen’s House in Greenwich, with views towards the Old Royal Naval College and the Thames beyond. Open 10am-9pm. Tickets: Adults from £16, Children from £10. Queen’s House, Romney Road, Greenwich, SE10 9NF. Nearest stations: Cutty Sark, Greenwich or Maze Hill. For tickets, visit the Royal Museums Greenwich website.
- 17 November 2022 – 8 January 2023 : Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink
Skate in front of King Henry VIII’s favourite London residence. Session times last 45 minutes. Open 10am-8.45pm. Tickets: Adults/teens 13yrs+ from £17.50, Children 3-12yrs £13. Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU. Nearest station: Hampton Court (36 minutes from Waterloo). To book, visit the Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink website.
- 18 November 2022 – 2 January 2023 : Ice Rink @ Winter Wonderland
An ice rink is just one of dozens of festive fun you can have at Winter Wonderland. Session times last 50 minutes. 10am-10pm. Tickets: Adults £10.50-£15.50, Children £7.50-£10.50. Hyde Park, Westminster, W2 2UH. Nearest station: Hyde Park Corner, Marble Arch, Victoria or Knightsbridge. To book, visit the Winter Wonderland website.
- 26 November 2022 – 3 January 2023 : Winter Festival Brent Cross Ice Rink
One of London’s largest ice rinks will open at the shopping centre for the festive season. There will also be rides, Santa’s Grotto and food and drink. Session times from 12.15pm-7.50pm. Tickets: Adults £17, Child (4-15yrs) £15. Brent Cross Shopping Centre, Brent Cross, NW4 3FP. Nearest station: Brent Cross. For more information and booking, visit the Winter Festival Brent Cross website.
Permanent London ice rinks
And if you fancy ice skating at any other times of the year, these London rinks are always open:
- Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, Wood Green, N22 7AY. Nearest station: Alexandra Palace.
- Streatham Ice Rink, 390 Streatham High Road, Streatham, SW16 6HX. Nearest station: Streatham.
- Queens Ice And Bowl, 17 Queensway, Bayswater, W2 4QP. Nearest station: Queensway.
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