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

Queen’s House ice rink, Greenwich

The ice rink in front of the Queen’s House in Greenwich has returned for the third year running. 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 runs from mid-November until mid-January and the season is littered with several special events, offering plenty of opportunities to show off your leaps, twirls and styled-out falls on the ice. New health and safety measures mean the 2021 rink features more open skate space plus an extended area for hiring and returning skates.

Natural History Museum Ice Rink

Skating under the shadow of Alfred Waterhouse’s Natural History Museum is one of London's loveliest Christmas traditions. But after 16 years of winter fun, the ice rink is due to be replaced by a new permanent exhibition called the Urban Nature Project.

Seize your last chance to ice-skate at the Natural History Museum garden this winter. The 1,000 square-metre South Kensington rink must be booked in advance, with weekend slots selling out quickly.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland ice rink

There's plenty to excite 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.

Rooftop ice rink, Skylight, Tobacco Dock

Wapping's highest party playground is being frozen over once again this winter as Skylight brings back its rooftop ice rink and becomes an 'urban après skate bar'. The Tobacco Dock highlight is swapping its famous croquet lawns and Pimms parties for something decidedly more festive – this winter season promises Christmas cocktails, steaming mulled wine, festive mac 'n' cheese and hearty bratwursts.

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.

Alexandra Palace ice rink

While open all year round, Alexandra Palace ice rink is never more charming than at Christmas, when the glistening chandelier dangling above the ice twinkles with festive cheer. The rink was further certified as a festive venue in 2019 when it featured in the Emma Thompson-helmed flick Last Christmas (pictured).