Ice Skating in London is amongst the most popular activities for families to spend time together, especially during the holidays. It is one of the best ways to create memorable and hilarious memories with your loved ones.
London was the first city to have a mechanically frozen ice rink, which opened in 1841. Today, London has a lot of iconic ice rinks, which have become some of the most popular places to visit for spending quality time.
10 Best Places to Go Ice Skating in London
London offers a wide range of ice rinks for both professional and novice skaters. Here are some of the best ice rinks in London where you can have a magical winter experience.
1. Alexandra Palace
Located in Alexandra Park, the Ally Pally Ice Rink offers fun ice skating sessions on an indoor rink. The Alexander Palace Ice Rink is situated inside an iconic London landmark.
There is a café and a bar for visitors to hangout. You will get a pair of skates with the purchase of tickets, but you can bring your own skates too.
Fast-track courses are offered to children during fast-track holidays. Besides, private skating lessons are also available here.
For more details, check their website.
2. Queen’s House Ice Rink
The Queen’s House Ice Rink, is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a magical place in the heart of Greenwich and is open year-round.
The rink is surrounded by Greenwich Park to the south, and Canary Wharf to the north, In addition to the amazing architecture, the picturesque view over the Thames and the sparkling lights of Canary Wharf are also mesmerizing. This rink should definitely be on your list if you want to have a memorable day outing.
Ticket prices of this rink differ between peak and off-peak periods.
3. Lee Valley Ice Centre
Located in Leyton, Lee Valley offers the best facilities for ice skating for toddlers in the city of London. The venue offers an international-sized ice rink with penguin skating aids available on specific days for young children.
The center also offers figure skating, ice hockey, and public skating sessions.
4. Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink
Hampton Court Palace ice rink is located in the gardens of the historic Tudor Palace. Surrounded by historic architecture, everyone, from beginners to pros, can enjoy outdoor skating at this iconic location. You can also head over to the ice rink’s bar to cool off after an intense round of skating.
Ice skating in the evening is particularly special because Tudor Facade lights up with beautiful colours as the darkness falls. Hampton Court Palace offers some alternatives as well where you can experience seasonal ice skating sessions.
5. Winter Wonderland Ice Rink
Located at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, this is one of the biggest outdoor ice skating rinks in the UK. Built around a Victorian bandstand, the rink pays homage to the Christmas spirit. To get the most out of the experience, you can also visit the ice bars and enjoy circus rides.
Unlike other ice rinks in London, Winter Wonderland has a tiered pricing system, and prices are high during peak seasons. But that doesn’t deter visitors from having a memorable experience at this place. So, it is advised to book your tickets in advance, to not miss out on the fun.
This location is easily accessible by public transport. Hyde Park Corner is one of the closest stations to the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland ice rink.
6. Somerset House Ice Rink
Located at one of London’s most picture-perfect locations, the Somerset House ice rink has a neoclassical courtyard with a giant Christmas tree.
Get your skates and winter warmers and glide along the ice around the courtyard during the daytime ice skating session, and enjoy the nighttime skates with DJ Soundtracks playing under the stars.
If you are looking for more fun at Somerset House, get your tickets for the special music events held here on certain evenings. Hotel Chocolate hosts a selection of gifts and tasty food and drinks in the festive spirit.
7. Canary Wharf Ice Rink
Located in Canada Square Park, the Ice Rink Canary Wharf is one of the largest seasonal ice rinks in London. After your skating session, you can relish the rink-side bars for a drink or check out the nearby restaurants.
Canary Wharf’s twinkling towers and enchanting greenery would make you fall in love with the site. Canary Wharf is a great place as it offers some amazing things like the Crossrail Botanical Gardens and some incredible outdoor art and activations.
8. Skylight London Ice Rink
Skylight is the only rooftop ice rink in Europe. The rooftop of Tobacco Dock is abuzz with skaters. Spectacular views from Skylight across to the city of London make this a gorgeous wintry experience.
You can take a break and relax in cozy igloos with warm maker’s rinks, and cocktails and enjoy delicious menus from leading street food dealers in London. Weekend pre-bookings are recommended due to the great rush.
9. Natural History Museum Ice Skating
Take pre-booking exhibitions and out on your ice skate to glide around the Natural History Museum in London.
With its location in South Kensington, it is easy to see the charm of whitewashed mansions and placid garden squares. Since aids are provided here, it is one of the best ice skating rinks for kids.
Children of ages four to eight can join the Penguin Skate Club to hone their skating skills. The café bar serves snacks and wine and gives a spectacular view of the rink.
10. Streatham Ice Arena
Streatham Ice Arena is London’s only Olympic-sized indoor ice skating rink. People of all ages can use this rink with access to dancing and figure skating clubs, skate-themed birthday party hire, ice skating classes, and more.
Streatham has a large variety of members. Book your tickets in advance, as they sell out quickly, especially during peak sessions. Skate hire is available for children between 7 and 15 at this ice rink.
Concluding Thoughts on Ice Skating in London
Ice skating in London is famous for its festive cheer in winter. You will find ice skating rinks suitable for all levels but, still, it is better to plan your visit to avoid disappointment. Book your tickets in advance(most of the rinks have a booking system) to make sure you get in.
So, if you are in London or planning to visit there, don’t forget to get yourself into the amazing ice skating sessions at these places.
Last Updated on July 11, 2024 by Sathi Chakraborty
