Guide to London’s open-air ice rinks this winter 2021/2022
Find out prices, opening times and transport details for the capital’s alfresco, pop-up ice rinks this Christmas and winter season.
The Natural History Museum ice rink is returning
After an absence last year due to the pandemic, London’s alfresco ice rinks are back again for the 2021 festive season. Some of the capital’s most iconic buildings are transforming their courtyards and outdoor spaces into winter sports venues. Along with pop-up ice rinks, many are accompanied by heated bars and stalls, selling festive food and drink to warm you up after a spot of ice skating.
This 2021/2022 season will be the last year ever for the Natural History Museum’s outdoor rink as the space is being transformed into an urban wildlife hub, while a bit further east, the Tower of London’s rink is also taking a hiatus until next year.
Most rinks are open daily during their seasonal sessions, 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.
London’s outdoor temporary rinks
- 22 October 2021 – 16 January 2022 : Natural History Museum Ice Rink
One of the capital’s favourite open-air ice rink returns for the winter season for its final time. There is also a rink side café bar serving hot and cold drinks and meals. There is also a Penguin Skate Club, offering lessons for children aged 4-8yrs. Open 11am-10pm. Tickets: Adults from £12.65, Children from £8.80. Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7 5BD. Nearest station: South Kensington. To book, visit the Natural History Museum website.
- 23 October 2021 – 26 February 2022 : Ice Rink Canary Wharf
London’s longest open-air winter ice rink returns to Docklands after last year’s absence. There will also be the heated, Off Piste bar from Pravha serving drinks. Open daily 10am-10pm. Tickets (45 min sessions inc. skate hire): Adults and teens 13-18yrs £17.95, Children 4-12yrs £11.95. Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf, E14. Nearest station: Canary Wharf. For booking, visit the Ice Rink Canary Wharf website.
- 11 November 2021 – TBC January 2022 : Skylight London (Tobacco Dock)
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: TBC (45 minutes inc. skate hire). Skylight (Pennington Street entrance), Tobacco Quay, Wapping, E1CW 2SF. Nearest station: Shadwell or Wapping. For booking and more information, visit the Skylight London website.
Skate in the historic Georgian courtyard of Somerset House
- 17 November 2021 – 16 January 2022 : Skate @ Somerset House
Take to the ice in the courtyard of the historic Somerset House. As well as general skating, they are also club nights on ice and skating lessons. Also in the courtyard will be gourmet dining at Chalet Barragiste with Jimmy Garcia and hot and cold drinks at the Skate Lounge by Moët & Chandon. Session times last 45 minutes. Tickets: Adults from £11, children from £8.50. Somerset House, Strand, Westminster, WC2R 1LA. Nearest station: Temple. For more information and booking, visit the Somerset House website.
- 18 November 2021 – 9 January 2022 : Queen’s House Ice Rink
Keep your balance on an alfresco ice rink outside the stunning Queen’s House in Greenwich, along with views of the Thames and the Old Naval College. Benugo will also be selling hot drinks and snacks from its nearby stall. Open 10am-8pm. Tickets: Adults £15-£18, Children £8.50-£10.50. Queen’s House, Romney Road, Greenwich, SE10 9NF. Nearest stations: Cutty Sark, Greenwich or Maze Hill. For tickets, visit the Royal Museums Greenwich website.
- 19 November 2021 – 3 January 2022 : 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 50 minutes. 10am-10pm. Tickets: Adults £10.50-£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.
- 13 November 2021 – 9 January 2022 : Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink
Skate in front of King Henry VIII’s favourite London residence. Session times last 45 minutes. There will also be an Ice Rink Café and Bar serving platters, snacks and festive drinks. Children under 10 must be accompanied on the ice by an adult. Open 10am-8.45pm. Tickets: Adults/teens 13yrs+ £16-£19, Children 10-12yrs £11.50-£14, Children under 10 £11.50-£14. 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.
- 27 November 2021 – 3 January 2022 : Winter Festival Brent Cross Ice Rink
One of London’s largest ice rinks will open at the shopping centre for the festive season. Session times from 12pm-7.30pm. Tickets: Adults £17, Child (2-16yrs) £15. Brent Cross Shopping Centre, Brent Cross, NW4 3FP. Nearest station: Brent Cross. For more information and booking, visit the Winter Festival Brent Cross website.
Permanent London ice rinks
And if you fancy ice skating at any other times of the year, these London rinks are always open:
- 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.
Posted on 21 Oct 2021, in Activities, Christmas, Families, London, Sport and tagged Christmas, ice rink, ice skating, What's On Guide. Bookmark the permalink. Comments Off on Guide to London’s open-air ice rinks this winter 2021/2022.
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