Queen’s House, Greenwich
Queen’s House, which is one of the Royal Museums of Greenwich, was designed in the 17th century as a royal ‘house of delights’, but it is now an elegant art gallery.
The architectural views surrounding Queen’s House Ice Rink, Greenwich are mesmerising. On one side, the Queen’s House is lit in light blue, adding to the frosty feel. On the other side, stands the Chapel of St. Peter and St. Paul, glowing a gold warmth across the skyline that shimmers in between the symmetrical steeples.
Ice skate in the centre of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on the spacious rink, which is open-air. After performing all your jumps and spins on the ice, enjoy a seasonal hot chocolate with a Belgium waffle and whipped cream, in their cafe’s cosy seating area.
You can go inside the Queen’s House for free between 10:00-17:00 to see their 2023 exhibition ‘The Van de Veldes: Greenwich, Art and the Sea’. Paintings, tapestries, ambitious royal commissions and detailed sketches and designs are displayed in honour of Van de Velde the Elder and Younger.
COST: Adult from £17 / Child from £10
OPEN UNTIL: 7th January 2024
Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park
Winter Wonderland is London’s hotspot at Christmas time. Besides festive food and warm beverages, there is so much fun to be had here. A real ice slide, a funhouse, a Christmas circus, an ice bar, and plenty of thrilling fairground rides are just some examples of the activities you can book.
Ice skating on the UK’s largest open-air rink is an unmissable experience though. Glide around the iconic Victorian bandstand as musicians perform in the centre. This year Isabella Stavrou and Lulu May will be alternating gigs.
Lidl is the 2023 sponsor of Hyde Park’s ice rink and they are serving award-winning pigs in blankets with a festive sauce of your choice for £3. They have also created ‘Magical Lodge’ where you can cosy up under blankets and heaters to watch participants twirl or stack it on the ice!
COST: Adult from £11.50 / Child from £8.50
OPEN UNTIL: 1st January 2024
Skylight, Tobacco Dock
Europe’s only real-ice rooftop ice-rink lies on Skylight Tobacco Dock, with an igloo village and an après ski lodge. Plus, there are thirty decorated Christmas trees and the pergolas are smothered in baubles.
From Thursday to Saturday DJ’s will be livening the party atmosphere, while Sunday afternoons are dedicated for family time, allowing the kids to have a go on the ice.
The ice rink is small in comparison to the other rinks on this list and it is suggested that guests usually spend around 15-20 minutes on the ice. However, by combining a skate session with the other facilities Skylight Tobacco Dock has to offer, I’m certain you will have the best time. Where else can you ice skate in the sky?
If you want to witness London’s skyline, but can’t stand the cold, Skylight Tobacco Dock has brand-new heated igloos, with blankets and table-service. Try their alpine-inspired dishes or a festive cocktail.
On level 9, the Après Skate Bar will make you feel as though you’re in the mountains. Enjoy mulled-wine, warming cocktails and the new raclette menu consisting of jacket potato covered in gooey melted cheese, served with Wiltshire ham, salami and pickles.
COST: Adult and Child £15
Somerset House, Strand
The Switzerland Tourism Board have brought their destination to Somerset House’s courtyard for Chilled Out skate sessions or lessons with the Skate School. You can even book onto a specially curated session inspired by the Swiss regions of Bern, Lucerne and Valais.
Somerset House is an art gallery, with Neoclassical architecture, overlooking the River Thames. It’s a stunning setting, made festive with their 40ft Christmas tree, decorated by Swiss International Air Lines, which stands at the opposite end of the rink, facing Somerset House.
There’s special events you can attend too; A new series of rink-side decks takeovers at Skate Lates with Rock Angel, Skate Dates with Tinder or celebrate New Year’s Eve with The Cocoa Butter Club.
Warm up in the West Wing restaurant, Chalet Suisse by Jimmy Garcia, in partnership with Switzerland Tourism or grab a drink, a glass of Provence Rosé to be precise, in the Skate Lounge by Whispering Angel, which has rink-side views.
COST: Adult £24 / Child £12.50
OPEN UNTIL: 14th January 2024
Hampton Court Palace, Surrey
Imagine being able to say you have ice-skated in Henry VIII’s historic home! Transport back in time on the outdoor ice-rink, while admiring a glorious Tudor Palace. Hampton Court Palace in Surrey has to be one of the most picturesque ice-rinks in London.
The rink is large and surrounded by 60 acres of gardens. There is also the UK’s oldest hedge maze and the historic chocolate kitchen, which you can prebook.
After whizzing around on the ice, head to the onsite café and bar. The Admirable Crichton serves sweet treats, luxury hot chocolate, mulled wine and hearty savoury food.
COST: Adult from £19 / Child from £14
OPEN UNTIL: 7th January 2024
