Want to go ice skating in London? Here’s a guide to the capital’s open-air ice rinks (and permanent rinks) this festive season.

Skate on one of London’s ice rinks

The countdown to Christmas in London means many things… mulled wine, lots of tinsel and open-air ice rinks. With the trees, decorations and twinkling lights making the capital looking rather festive, taking to the ice at this time of year can seem rather appealing.

Here’s where to find London’s pop-up ice rinks this Christmas and winter season, with details of prices, times and how to get there.

• 20 October – 6 January 2019 : Skyline Skating @ John Lewis

Skate on the roof of the John Lewis department store. Along with Sipsmith ice rink, there is also Mypies fresh pies and hot gin being served. Sun-Wed 12pm-9pm, Thu-Sat 12pm-11pm. Tickets: £8pp. John Lewis rooftop, 300 Oxford Street, Marylebone, W1C 1DX. Nearest station: Oxford Circus. For more information, visit the John Lewis website.

• 25 October – 6 January 2019 : 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.

• 1 November – January 2019 : Skylight London

Skate on London’s rooftops with views of the City of London’s skyscrapers. Features alfresco and covered bars, fondue and ice hockey slap shot. Open Thu-Sun only. Free entry to Skylight. Skating tickets: £10 (45 minutes). Skylight, Tobacco Quay, Pennington Street entrance, Wapping, E1CW 2SF. Nearest station: Shadwell or Wapping. For booking, visit the Skylight London website.

• 2 November – 16 February 2019 : Ice Rink Canary Wharf

Skate over ice 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 – 13 January 2019 : Skate at Somerset House with Fortnum & Mason

One of the original pop-up ice rinks located in the historic 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). Tickets start from £11. Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA. Nearest station: Temple. To book, visit the Somerset House website.

• 15 November – 23 December : Winterville Ice Rink

Clapham‘s alternative winter attraction features an alfresco ice rink over 600 square metres. Mon-Fri 12pm-10pm, Sat-Sun 11am-10pm. Tickets: Adults £14, Children (under 12s) £9.50, Teens £12. Clapham Common, SW4 9DE. Nearest station: Clapham Common. For more information, visit the Winterville website.

• 23 November – 6 January 2019 : 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 £9.50-£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.

Skate in the historic Georgian courtyard of Somerset House

• 23 November – 6 January 2019 : 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 £14.50, Children under 12: £10.50. Teens £12.50. 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.

• 23 November – 6 January 2019 : Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink

Skate in front of King Henry VIII’s favourite London residence. Session times last 45 minutes. First sessions start at 10am, last sessions start at 9pm. Adults £14.50, Children 13-15yrs £12.50, Children 12 and under £10.50. 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.

• 2 December – 6 January 2019 : 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, doughnuts, etc. Adults: £13, Children £8. 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. For a review on curling at Queens, click here.

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