Best places to go ice skating in London this winter

Somerset House’s annual ice rink pop-up has long been one of the city’s favourite festive traditions, and for good reason. Gliding (or nervously shuffling) around the rink, gazing upon the surrounding Georgian architecture and the courtyard’s magnificent 40ft Christmas tree feels like you’ve skated onto a movie set. Plus, there's a seriously fun line-up of after dark DJ sets to sweeten the deal. This year's Skate Lates programme is sponsored by Aperol Spritz, who'll have an orange van parked rinkside for refreshments, and will let you zoom round the rink to ground-shaking bass from UKF and BUMPAH or join a K-Pop party (Nov 23) with a special live set from DY EMKAY.

While you're at Somerset House, don't forget to head indoors for Through Our Eyes, a free group exhibition of perspectives on life in a chilly climate by indigenous Sámi artists.

Opening times: 9am-9pm

Price: Tickets start at £15 for super off-peak times, reaching £28.50 for the most in-demand slots.

Fancy whizzing around one of London’s prettiest UNESCO World Heritage sites? South London’s only outdoor ice rink is back in front of Greenwich’s resplendent Queen’s House. Slip and slide on the ice while taking in some sweet views of the historic area’s iconic architecture and the glittering lights of Canary Wharf. Warm up after your icy stint with hot drinks and seasonal snacks at the Zero Degrees restaurant right next to the rink.

Opening times: 10am-9pm  

Price: £13.50-£21.60, child £9-£18

London boasts some impressive backdrops to its ice rinks, but few are as steeped in history as Hampton Court Palace. As you slip and slide around the ice, you can gaze up at Henry VIII’s sixteenth-century pad and wonder what he’d make of all this, or just keep your eye out for any of the palace’s rumoured ghosts. Even better, this rink is next to the Thames, so you can pretend you’re gliding down the river as you skate. As well as imagination-fuelling, the spot is also family-friendly, with skate aids available for kids if you book in advance. Head to the café after to warm up with hot chocolate, mulled wine and mince pies.

Opening times: 10am-9pm

Price: £19-£21; child £14-£15.50

Winter Wonderland is home to the biggest outdoor ice rink in the UK. It surrounds the Victorian bandstand and is lit up by more than 100,000 lights – if that doesn’t get you feeling festival, nothing will, especially as your ears will be full of Christmas tunes as you glide around the ice.

If you’re skating, be aware that while there’s no minimum age for skaters, under-12s must be accompanied by someone 16 or over and the smallest skates for hire are children's size 9 (adult skates go up to size 13). You can use your own skates as long as they’re not speed skates. Wheelchair users are welcome on the ice. There are also ice guides who can look after groups of up to 15 skaters at a time (for an additional charge).

Opening times: 10am-10pm

Prices: £5.50-£8.25 plus Winter Wonderland entry free

Returning for a fifth winter season in 2026, this ice-skating pop-up in the shadow of the rejuvenated Battersea Power Station is one of London’s most aesthetic. Returning to its usual spot right next to the Thames, it offers magnificent views over the riverside, a twinkling 30ft Christmas tree that forms the perfect backdrop for your on-ice selfies, and all the fun of the fair courtesy of an adjacent vintage fairground. It’s the perfect date night spot, Christmas party location or a well-earned reward after a hectic day of gift shopping. 

Opening times: Varies throughout the week 

Price: Adult £19.38-£22.80; child £11.98-£14.82

Leicester Square is well used to becoming a glimmering Christmas hub each winter. Every year, stalls serving steaming mulled wine and warm mince pies, and huts decked out with traditional Christmas gifts pop up next to the spiegeltent, where entertainment is provided courtesy of alternative circus and cabaret show La Clique. But now, for the first time, there’ll be an open-air ice rink slap bang in the middle of it all. The new rink will encircle the square’s Shakespeare statue and suurounded by the familiar Christmas market stalls. It’ll be London’s only ice rink offering skate sessions every 15 minutes, available for both bookings and walk-ins. 

Opening times: 10.15am-9.15pm

Prices: Adult £14.50, child £9.50 children, family £40

All Pally’s lofty indoor skating arena is open year-round for general skating sessions, figure skating classes, ice hockey training, children’s sessions and parties. Come Christmas time, they shuzsh things up with a tree covered in tinsel, baubles and lights, blast festive tunes through the PA and turn the rink into an indoor winter wonderland perfect to get you in the mood for the big day.

Opening times: Mon 11am-5:30pm; Tues-Fri 11am-5pm; Sat-Sun 11am-4:30pm

Price: £11.75-£12.75; under 12s from £10.50-£11.50