Top Places to Go Ice Skating in London
In London, you don’t need to wait until the temperature drops and the seasonal festivities come into full swing to go ice skating. You can get your ice skates on all year round at many of these top 10 places to go ice skating in London. However, this list wouldn’t be complete without the rinks responsible for adding festive magic to the city.
Whether you want to make ice skating the main event as part of your venture out, or you are looking for rinks which give you dining, drinking and other leisure activities too, you won’t be stuck for options. There is a rink for every kind of ice-skating fan in London, from beginners to pros, indoors to outdoors; the Capital has every need covered.
Alexandra Palace Ice Rink
The Alexandra Palace Ice Rink is open throughout the year and is often revered as the number-one destination for ice skating in London. For beginners, there are instructors to help you skate in a matter of hours; the rink is also home to many of the UK’s national champions and seasoned pros.
The ice disco is the perfect opportunity for ice-skating fans to let loose as the speakers blast disco anthems; for a quieter skate, book a weekday ticket and enjoy up to two hours of skate time.
Details: Open Mon-Sun, adult tickets start from £8
Canary Wharf Ice Rink
The Canary Wharf Ice Rink is typically open between late October and late February – subject to change. Just a stone’s throw away from Canary Wharf tube station, the rink provides an architecturally scenic backdrop in addition to the screens projecting visually spectacular displays.
Often described as one of London’s most captivating winter experiences, the roofed rink is a safe option; come rain or shine – you won’t need to rely on the mercy of London weather to enjoy your day out! Book your 50-minute session online to avoid disappointment.
Details: open October – February, adult tickets start from £17.50
Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre
The Streatham Ice Rink is the only rink in the inner-city to boast an Olympic size; for the past 80 years, it has been the practice spot for champions and enabled thousands of beginners to find their feet on the ice.
If you want to hit the ice more than four times a month, money-saving memberships are available. After its state-of-the-art renovation, the leisure centre on Streatham High Road has become a popular destination for enthusiasts.
Details: Open Mon-Sun, adult tickets start from £7.65
Queens skate dine bowl
QUEENS skate dine bowl is London’s most central ice staking rink, which remains open all year round. The family-friendly destination is equipped with 12 bowling lanes, casual dining options and a cocktail bar.
Whether you are heading to QUEEN’s solo, with friends or on a fun first date, the trendy hotspot is a safe option. Booking is required; after 8 PM is strictly 18+
Details: Open Mon–Sun, adult tickets start from £12.75.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
When the festive season hits London, amidst the fairground rides and markets in Hyde Park lies the UK’s biggest outdoor ice rink. Revellers from across the UK descend on the rink to enjoy the Winter Wonderland, so don’t hang around booking your tickets to this centrepiece attraction.
Sessions around the Victorian bandstand take place every hour and will last 50 minutes; all members of your party will also need tickets for the Hyde Pak Winter Wonderland in addition to access tickets to the rink.
Details: Open late November – Early January, adult tickets start from £10.50
Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink
If you don’t mind a thirty-minute train ride from Central London into Surry, the Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink is well-worth the commute. Regarded as one of the most visually striking royal palaces in the world, Hampton Court is a great destination for plenty more than ice skating.
Hop off the train at Hampton Court Station, spend the day exploring the Tudor Palace and warm up afterwards at the bar and café. Pre-booking is essential.
Details: Open late November – early January, adult tickets start from £17.50
Glide at Battersea Power Station
Don’t let the name fool you; Battersea Power Station is one of the best Winter ice skating spots in London, especially for skaters who want to avoid the tourists in Hyde Park.
The loss of the Natural History Museum ice rink left many Londoners’ lamenting, but the arrival of the Battersea Power Station rink is more than enough compensation.
Details: Open early November – early January, adult tickets start from £12.00.
Skate at Somerset House
The Somerset House Ice Rink is far from the biggest in London. Yet, size isn’t all that matters with Festively constructed ice rinks. The scenic attraction is built and frosted each year in cooperation with Moet and Chandon, who open an artisan Christmas market each year.
After you take off your ice skates, grab a bite, sip on some mulled wine and shop for gifts at the small market, which is just a short stroll from Temple tube station.
Details: Open mid-November – mid-January, adult tickets start from £10.00.
Ice Skating at Skylight Tobacco Dock
The Skylight Rink at Tobacco Dock isn’t as much of a secret spot as it used to be but compared to some of the other outdoor rinks in London, the rooftop rink is still considered a hidden gem.
Once you have worked up an appetite on the ice, sample some of the winter menus from the igloo eateries.
Details: Open TBC, adult tickets start from £12.00
Camden Market Ice Rink
Situated in the North Yard in Camden, the Camden Market Rink is one of the hippest ice rinks in London. Most years, the bustling location is transformed into a mini-North Pole with ice glazed across the cobbled streets.
It is the cheapest option for ice skating in London, and if the low-ticket cost isn’t enough to sway you, the discounts for local eateries and attractions will!
Details: Open TBC, adult tickets start from £6.
Ice Skating in London at Christmas
We’re almost there: Christmas is quickly approaching! As usual, it’s time for some holiday cheer, special times with family, and lots of holiday fun. Winter fun includes pop-up ice skating rinks that add seasonal flair to the heart of our communities!
Ice skating has been practised for thousands of years. In reality, according to research from the University of Oxford, it dates back to 4000 years ago, when people used polished animal bones for skates instead of the metal blades we know today.
All Londoners understand that the appearance of ice rinks signals the arrival of Christmas. They evoke images of hot chocolate and nights in front of an open fire. That’s presumably why ice rinks appear just during the holidays; no one goes ice skating in the summer.
Ice Skating in London over the Christmas season is a must-do British institution. Here are some of the best ice rinks in London where you can skate, slide, and laugh with your family, friends, or even just the two of you, whether in a tent or in the open air.
Somerset House ice rink
Somerset House’s collaboration with Moët & Chandon last year appears to have been fruitful, as it was renewed this year. As is customary, the ice rink is packed with pop-ups, music events, and other delightful surprises.
Those in the courtyard may warm themselves with delicious hot chocolate and some other sweet treats available at the Hotel Chocolat pop-up store. Jimmy Garcia’s Chalet Suisse, a place to hang out after skating that was made in partnership with the Switzerland Tourism Board, might be the best place to eat in the arena.
Somerset House’s ice rink is open during the day and evening, with special music events known as “Skate Latest” on select nights. Adult skate tickets cost between £10 and £22. Children’s fees range from £7.50 to £11.
Canary Warf Canada Square Park
Unlike many rinks, which turn to water in early January, Canary Warf’s Canada Square Park Ice Rink will remain open until February 25. The makeshift ice rink is 25 m by 45 m in size. This gives around 1000 square metres of skating space, which can accommodate 350 skaters at the same time.
In the summer, the Grandstand Bar is set up in Canada Square Park, and now it returns beside the ice rink. Summer beverages are substituted with hot chocolate and mulled wine, and entry to the bar is neither ticketed or restricted to skaters.
With the unpredictable UK weather, keeping temporary ice rinks cold enough may be difficult, but the innovative setup harnesses waste energy from the chillers that keep the ice cool to keep people warm in the bar and changing facilities!
Adult tickets cost £19.95, while children aged 4 to 12 pay £14.95 to skate.
Skylight Tobacco Dock
Skylight Tobacco Dock is the first rooftop ice skating rink in Europe! There are things to do for everyone, from eating and drinking delicious alpine food and drinks to staying in a warm igloo. entry
In addition, the views from Skylight are some of the greatest in London, making this a lovely wintry experience to share.
The ice rink is open Mondays through Sundays until December 30th from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. (the last entrance to the rink is at 8 p.m.).
The age requirement for this venue is 18 or older with a valid ID. The price of an ice skating package for two amounts to £54.00.
Alexandra Palace
While Alexandra Palace is a year-round staple in London’s ice rink scene, there are many reasons to select “Ally Pally” as your seasonal skating destination.
Between November 28 and January 8, the ice rink will be transformed into a seasonal wonderland, complete with mulled wine, Bailey’s hot chocolate, and mince pies to eat between spins around the rink. On some nights, it also converts into a disco dance floor, allowing you to shout out some bangers while you glide around the ancient hall.
Prices range from £6.50 to £10.00, and the ice rink is open from 11:30 to 17:30 Monday through Friday and 11:30 to 16:30 on Saturdays and Sundays.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland is a one-stop shop for Christmas entertainment, with over 200 rides, attractions, games, and food and beverage options. An ideal day at Winter Wonderland is spent jumping from the dodgems to the mulled wine stations, but before we get into the highlights, a word about those tickets. Timed tickets will be used during the event, just like in 2021, to help control the number of people who come and give guests the best experience possible.
Hyde Park, Winter Wonderland ice skating rink is suitable for people of all ages and is an excellent way to start your Winter Wonderland adventure for first dates, play dates, and best friends. You may skate from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily under a canopy of twinkling lights constructed around the historic Victorian bandstand. Ice skating sessions are held every hour. Each session of ice skating lasts 50 minutes.
Adult tickets to this ice rink cost between £10.50 and £15.00, and other packages and options exist.
Queen's House Ice Rink
The Queen’s House Ice Rink is located in a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is surrounded by well-known structures. To the south, you can see Greenwich Park, and to the north, you can see the lights of Canary Wharf. These are some of London’s most beautiful views. The ice rink is a 12-minute train ride from London Bridge or a 20-minute boat ride from Tower Pier in central London. The Queen’s House Ice Rink is not to be missed, with various booths, including the all-important seasonal hot chocolate.
Starting from Thursday, November 17th, the ice rink is open every day except Christmas Day. Entry prices range from £16.00 to £19.00, with additional options for children.
Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre
Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre, which is part of the Streatham Hub, brings ice skating back to Streatham with an Olympic-sized rink (the only one in London!).
In addition to the ice rink, there is a multi-use leisure centre with a 100-station fully equipped modern gym, group exercise studios, two swimming pools (a 25-metre 6-lane pool and a 13-metre teaching pool), and a multi-sport sports hall. This world-class facility combines the community’s skating rink and recreation centre. They offer a variety of membership options, including pre-paid and pay-as-you-go. Their highly skilled teachers can also teach you to swim and skate.
In conclusion
The winter months are ideal for ice skating, especially if you’ve been cooped up in the house for too many days. With the numerous available ice rinks in London, you have a vast choice of venues that cater to your wishes. Ice skating is a wonderful pastime that the entire family can enjoy. All skill levels are welcome, whether you’re new to skating or a seasoned pro. You only need to rent a pair of skates to get started.
Even if you don’t skate immediately next to one another, you’ll spend quality time together on the ice. Aside from being a fun pastime for the whole family, ice skating is also a novel and healthy way to get some physical activity. Exchange some of your sofa or TV time for some ice time. You will get some exercise for your heart and lungs and work on skills like balance and coordination.
