Where to go ice skating: London rinks to glide on this winter

Queen’s House ice rink, Greenwich

This winter, there’s an exciting new addition to London’s ice skating scene: a rink has been laid in front of the Queen’s House in Greenwich. Offering architectural vistas to match those found at the Natural History Museum and Somerset House rinks, a session here will see you glide on ice while soaking up the picturesque surroundings of a Unesco World Heritage site.

Skate at Somerset House

Skate at Somerset House is celebrating its 20th year this winter with special events as well as daily opportunities to show off your leaps, twirls and styled-out falls on the ice. The ice rink, with its backdrop of crisp Georgian architecture, has become a beloved staple of London's winter season.

Here, you can glide in front of a 40ft Christmas tree laden with Fortnum & Mason's hampers, then head inside F&M’s on-site skate lodge, to warm up with a hot chocolate or steaming plate of Welsh rarebit.

Celebrations also include London's first ever 24-hour skating event (7-8 December), held in conjunction with the launch of Somerset House’s winter season and the opening of the major exhibition, 24/7.

Natural History Museum Ice Rink

Under the shadow of Alfred Waterhouse’s Natural History Museum and surrounded by glittering Christmas trees is a South Kensington ice rink that is a recurring holiday favourite among families – and rightly so.

The 1,000 square-metre rink is situated between bustling local cafés and exciting museums, and can get a little crowded, so booking an early-morning slot might be best for those who want to glide in peace. Children can sharpen up their skating skills by joining the Penguin Skate Club, which offers lessons to children aged four to eight.

Tiffany & Co. ice rink, Covent Garden

Tiffany’s diamonds aren’t all that’s set to sparkle this winter. The jewellery company has partnered with Covent Garden to launch a glittering ice rink at Covent Garden’s East Piazza, as part of the Tiffany Fragrance holiday campaign. Pirouette past playful snowmen, then twirl alongside a four-foot tall bottle of Tiffany & Co. Between the décor and scent of Tiffany Eau de Parfum sweetening up the installation, it just might be the most glamorous rink in town.

Bar Elba rooftop ice rink

Who says traditional is better? Bar Elba in Waterloo has frozen over a part of its rooftop to bring the capital a new place to go for a glide. Whizz across the ice while enjoying glittering vistas of London’s skyline by night. The drinks menu has undergone a transformation too: bye bye slushies, hello mulled wine and steaming mugs of gin-based toddies. Food, meanwhile, comes by way of Dip & Flip, the restaurateurs who made burgers with gravy a thing. The best bit? Skating is free for guests throughout November and the rink can also be booked for private hire. You’ll find us on the rink.

Hampton Court Palace

If the Tudor apartments, kitchens and glorious views overlooking the historic Thames hasn't been enough to tempt you to visit Hampton Court Palace, then their skating rink might just do the trick. The ice rink is situated spectacularly beside the red-brick Tudor frontage and is joined by the Ice Bar & Café, offering a welcome place for skaters to stop and snack.

Kids looking to improve their skating skills can enlist the help of one of Hampton Court's patient instructors, who can organise a personal, supervised skate session to get them up to speed.

Skylight, Tobacco Dock

London's first rooftop ice skating rink is making a return appearance at Skylight this winter. The Tobacco Dock hangout is swapping its famous croquet lawns and summer Pimms for something decidedly more festive for the winter season.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

There's plenty to keep little fingers and toes warm at the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland this year, including an all-important, glittering ice rink. Set around a Victorian bandstand and lit by the glow of 100,000 Christmas lights, the rink is one of the most festive you'll find in London. Sessions run every hour on the hour and last 50 minutes. The park recommends turning up 20 minutes before your booked session.

Tower of London ice rink, Tower Bridge

For an ice-skating and sightseeing experience rolled into one, it has to be the Tower of London. The ice rink is wedged into the tower’s moat, offering skaters up-close views of the historic fortress. Visit at night to see the Tower bathed in eerie blue light, perfect for pondering the landmark’s gruesome history. If whizzing around the ice leaves you with a chill, step inside the rink’s café and bar, where you can enjoy a warming mug of hot chocolate among other treats.

Camden Market Ice Rink, Camden

To glide on an ice rink that’s longer than it’s wide, head to Camden Market where 25 metres of glistening ice – making it the longest ice rink in north London – lies nestled between the stable stalls. Keep your eyes peeled for Santa, who may well be whizzing around the rink himself.

City Island ice rink, London City Island

With no ice rink in Canary Wharf this Christmas, nearby London City Island has stepped up to offer the frosty goods. From 12-22 December, an open-air ice rink will stretch across Hopewell Square, as part of the area’s bid to become a cultural destination. While schlepping across town just to go for a skate might not sound so appealing, the programme of Christmassy activities running alongside the rink no doubt will.

Those who visit between 12 and 15 December can shop for last-minute gifts at the artisan Christmas market, while wreath-making workshops, wine tasting, Christmas bauble embroidery workshops and a plastic-free Christmas cracker workshop are just some of the events taking place while the rink is up and running. London City Island is also the new home of the English National Ballet and its dancers will be treating visitors to Nutcracker-themed musical performances accompanied by the company's sinfonietta, as well as leading pre-skating warm-ups.