Take to the ice at the Natural History Museum rink

It’s that time of year again. With the temperatures dropping and the lights a twinkling, it’s no surprise many people want to take to the ice. As usual, there are a host of pop-up, open air rinks on around town. Many are accompanied by other wintry activities and festive food and drink offerings. Here’s a guide to open-air and pop-up ice skating in London this winter season.

• 27 October – 8 January 2017 : Natural History Museum Ice Rink

A 1,000 square metre rink in the gardens of the Natural History Museum in South Kensington. Opening hours vary. Session times last 1 hour. Adults from £12.65, Children 12 and under from £8.80. Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7 5BD. Nearest station: South Kensington. To book, visit the Natural History Museum website.

• 4 November – 25 February 2017 : Luminocity – Ice Rink Canary Wharf

Skate over ice filled with 8km of LED lights in the middle of the soaring skyscrapers of Canary Wharf. Non-skaters can watch the action from the bar or street food stalls. Session times last 1 hour. Opening times vary. Adults £9.95-£16.95, Children £9.95-£10.95. Canada Square Park, E14 5AB. Nearest station: Canary Wharf. To book, visit the Ice Rink Canary Wharf website.

• 14 November – 2 February 2017 : Broadgate Ice

Temporary ice rink at Broadgate Circle in the City of London is open for over three months. There is also a rinkside bar and street food stalls. Open 10am-10pm. Session times last 1 hour. Adults £13.50, Children £9.50. Broadgate Ice Rink, Exchange Square, Broadgate, EC2A 2BQ. Nearest station: Liverpool Street. For more information, visit Broadgate’s website.

Whole lotta history: Skate in the dry moat of the Tower Of London

• 16 November – 3 January 2017 : Tower Of London Ice Rink

Skate on a rink in the moat of the Tower of London. After a skate, visit the Eis Haus Ice Experience, an immersive ice bar where you can drink out of glasses made of ice. 11am-10pm. Tickets: Adults £13.50, Children under 12: £9.50. Tower Of London (off Lower Thames Street or Tower Hill), EC3N 4AB. Nearest station: Tower Hill. To book, visit the Tower Of London Ice Rink website.

• 17 November – 15 January 2017 : Skate at Somerset House with Fortnum & Mason

One of the original pop-up ice rinks located in the courtyard of Somerset House. As well as general skating, they also host club nights on ice and skate lessons. Session times last 1 hour and are from 10am until 10.30pm (later for club nights and New Year’s Eve). Adults from £14.65 (inc booking fee) and Children from £8.90. Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA. Nearest station: Temple. To book, visit the Somerset House website. 

• 18 November – 2 January 2017 : Ice Rink @ Winter Wonderland

A pop-up ice rink at the annual Winter Wonderland in the south east corner of Hyde Park. Session times last 1 hour. 10am-10pm. Adults £14.50-£15.50, Children up to 12 £9.50-£10.50. Hyde Park, Westminster, W2 2UH. Nearest station: Hyde Park Corner, Marble Arch or Knightsbridge. To book, visit the Winter Wonderland website. For a sneak peek, check out Metro Girl’s blog posting on Winter Wonderland.

• 18 November – 2 January 2017 : Wembley Park Ice Rink

Ice skate in the grounds of Wembley Park outside the London Designer outlet. There will also be a frosty snow shower every hour, a 9m high Christmas tree and a special Santa post box. Open 11am-9pm. Tickets: Adults: £12.50, Children £9.50. Shoppers who spend over £50 or more at LDO can receive two free tickets to the rink. London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park Boulevard, Wembley, HA9 0PA. Nearest station: Wembley Stadium or Wembley Park. For more information, visit the Wembley website.

The ice rink at Westfield is sheltered from the elements inside the mall

• 24 November – 8 January 2017 : Westfield London Ice Rink

In between shopping, enjoy a spot of skating in the atrium at Westfield London in Shepherd’s Bush. Will also host live music and DJs. Mon-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-6pm. Adults: £10.50-£14, Children: £8.50. Westfield London, Ariel Way, Shepherd’s Bush, W12 7GF. Nearest station: Wood Lane or Shepherd’s Bush. To book, visit the Westfield website.

• 25 November – 8 January 2017 : Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink

Skate in front of King Henry VIII’s favourite London residence. The Ice Bar & Café will also feature a selection of festive food and drinks. Session times last 1 hour. First sessions start at 10am, last sessions start at 9pm. Adults £11.50 (off-peak) £13 (peak), Children £9 (off-peak) £9.50 (peak). 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.

• 3 December – 8 January 2017 : JW3 Ice Rink

Pop-up ice rink at the Piazza at JW3, the London Jewish Cultural Centre. Also including café serving mulled wine, hot drinks, etc. Adults: £12, Children £7.50. JW3, 341-351 Finchley Road, Hampstead, NW3 6ET. Nearest station: Finchley Road and Frognal or West Hampstead. To book, visit the JW3 website.

And if you fancy ice skating any other times, these rinks are open all year round…

• 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.
• Lea Valley Ice Centre, Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, E10 7QL. Nearest station: Lea Bridge.
• Queens Ice And Bowl, 17 Queensway, Bayswater, W2 4QP. Nearest station: Queensway.

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