Skate in the historic Georgian courtyard of Somerset House

Now autumn is in full swing, we’re now on a steady countdown to Christmas. With the nights getting darker and colder, a visit to a festive ice rink could be just what you need to lift the spirits.

From the end of October until early January, a host of outdoor ice rinks are popping up in the capital. You can ice skate against some iconic London backdrops, such as Somerset House, the Natural History Museum and the Tower of London. Alternatively, there are more unusual venues, like Skylight London in Wapping, which gives you stunning city views from the ice.

Most rinks are open daily including Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, but are closed on Christmas Day.

Here’s a guide to London ice rinks – both outdoor and permanent – open this winter season.

• 19 October – 12 January 2020 : Natural History Museum Ice Rink

A 1,000 square metre rink in the gardens of the Natural History Museum in South Kensington. Open 10am-9pm. 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.

• 31 October – 25 January 2020 : Skylight London

Skate on London’s rooftops with views of the City of London’s skyscrapers. Features alfresco and covered bars, igloos, and street food. Open Thu-Sun only. Free entry to Skylight. Skating tickets: £12 (45 minutes inc skate hire). Skylight, Tobacco Quay, Pennington Street entrance, Wapping, E1CW 2SF. Nearest station: Shadwell or Wapping. For booking, visit the Skylight London website.

• 13 November – 12 January 2020 : 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: Adults start from £11, Children (12yr and under) from £8.50. Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA. Nearest station: Temple. To book, visit the Somerset House website.

• 16 November – 5 January 2020 : Tower Of London Ice Rink

Skate on a rink in the moat of the Tower of London. After a skate, visit the ice rink café bar serving hot snacks and drinks. (16 Nov-18 Dec) Weekdays 11am-9pm, Weekends 10am-9pm. (19 Dec-5 Jan) 10am-9pm all week. Tickets: Adults/teens from £15, Children under 12: £10.50. 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.

Take to the rink at Winter Wonderland

• 21 November – 5 January 2020 : 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.

• 22 November – 5 January 2020 : 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/teen from £15, Children from £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.

• 29 November – 12 January 2020 : Queen’s House Ice Rink

A new addition to the capital’s ice rinks is the stunning Queen’s House in Greenwich. Take to the ice in front of the Georgian palace, along with views of the Thames and the Old Naval College. 10am-8pm. Tickets: Adults £13.50-£16, Children £6.76-£8. Queen’s House, Romney Road, Greenwich, SE10 9NF. Nearest station: Cutty Sark, Greenwich or Maze Hill. For tickets, visit the Royal Museums Greenwich website.

• 1 December – 5 January 2020 : 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. Tickets: 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.

• 1 December – 9 January 2020 : Camden’s Christmas Ice Rink

A new addition to London’s ice rinks comes to Camden Market. 9am-9pm. Tickets: £6-£12. North Yard, Camden Market, Chalk Farm Road, Camden Town, NW1 8AH. Nearest station: Chalk Farm or Camden Town. For more information, visit the Camden Market website.

• 12 – 22 December : City Island Ice Rink

Skate on a new 45 person sized rink, shop at the artisan Christmas market or take part in a festive workshop. Times vary. Tickets: Adults £8, Children 5.50. Hopewell Square, Poplar, E14 0QG. Nearest station: Canning Town. For more information and tickets, visit the City Island 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.

For a guide to what else is on in London in January 2020, click here.

Discover London’s winter terraces, and Christmas cocktails menus.

To find out where London’s Christmas pantomimes, ballets and shows are on, click here.

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