There’s nothing which says Christmas is coming greater than watching the Christmas ice rinks in London begin to seem – however in the event you’re on the lookout for the perfect locations to ice skate in London with youngsters, how family-friendly are all of them?
Having taken to the ice with my daughter and alone, there are loads which make a incredible festive time out within the capital – and various which aren’t non permanent for Christmas in the event you fancy ice skating in London with youngsters year-round.
Best of all, they’re usually within the shadow of a few of London’s greatest recognized landmarks, so you possibly can mix it with a household time out, or take in the historic buildings as you whizz (or stumble) round. Here’s my choose with the eight greatest locations to ice skate with youngsters in London, up to date for 2021.
For extra of the perfect issues to do for Christmas in London with youngsters, try my prime picks
Christmas ice rinks in London
Skate at Somerset House
The Somerset House ice rink is without doubt one of the longest-running Christmas ice rinks in London, and even after greater than twenty years it’s frequently voted one of many capital’s favorite winter experiences.
Set within the grand courtyard, with a 40ft Christmas tree including a closing festive contact, there are additionally stalls to buy plus occasions and different actions going down over the Christmas interval – partnered with Moet & Chandon, the entire vibe of Skate at Somerset House is about to be as luxurious as ever.
There’s additionally a much bigger skate space this 12 months, and loads of house if you’re getting and returning your skates.
There are a few choices that are good for youths, together with the return of Skate School on chosen weekends. For youngsters aged eight and up, there are programs and single classes for all ranges taught by instructors from the National Ice Skating Association.
Kids Skate Club additionally returns, for youths aged six to 10, at particular morning periods with assist from the crew of skilled ice marshals, together with skate aids to assist them keep up (first come, first served).
The ‘Chilled out‘ skate periods additionally return on some weekday mornings, with decreased numbers, to cease them feeling overwhelmed by older or quicker skaters – perfect for neurodiverse youngsters too.
There are additionally skate aids out there for under-eights throughout regular periods, however you possibly can’t pre-book these. You can pre-book Skate Mates for any additional help for teams of 3-10.
Skates are included within the session value with youngster’s measurement 6 (appropriate for round three to four-year-olds) as much as grownup measurement 15.
Where is it?
In the courtyard of Somerset House – any entrance will take you to the rink. Temple tube station is closest to the river entrance, or you possibly can stroll in from the Strand
When is Somerset House ice rink open?
The rink is open from November 16 till January 15, 2022. Session occasions begin at 11am and run to 9pm, with some early 9am and 10am periods in addition to 10pm Skate Lates slots.
Times additionally differ for Skate faculty.
Skate faculty periods begin at 8.45, and Kids Skate Club has two choices at 8.35 or 9.15 (each on chosen dates).
How a lot is Somerset House ice rink?
Tickets value from £10-£22 for adults and £7.50-£11 for youngsters aged 12 and below, plus a £2.95 transaction price. There’s additionally a ten% household low cost off the standard whole in the event you guide 4 tickets (two adults and two youngsters, or one grownup and three youngsters).
A number of walk-up tickets shall be out there on the day however it’s all the time common so value prebooking to ensure your slot.
Kids Skate Club prices £11 for youths aged six to 10 whereas Skate School prices £17 for youngsters aged 8-12 (plus reserving price) for an hour-long lesson.
What else do I must know?
Sessions final for 45 minutes and also you’re requested to reach 20 minutes beforehand, or earlier if it’s essential depart objects within the cloakroom.
You can depart one merchandise without spending a dime, however it then prices £2 to go away additional luggage within the cloakroom. No luggage are allowed on the ice.
If you’re on the lookout for ice skating in London with teenagers, the later periods even have DJs enjoying at Skate Lates.
To heat up afterwards, the Hotel Chocolat Chocmobile shall be offering treats – there are numerous different food and drinks pop-ups, though most are aimed toward adults (or older youngsters).
Check out the following tips for the greatest sizzling chocolate in London with youngsters, in the event you’re seeking to heat up after ice skating
Winter Wonderland ice rink
One of the UK’s largest outside rinks, this London ice rink is a part of the Winter Wonderland Christmas market in Hyde Park, set across the park’s Victorian bandstand with lights glowing above the open-air rink.
For extra tips about the greatest Christmas markets in London with youngsters, try my prime picks
There’s additionally usually stay music from the bandstand as you swirl and twirl (or stumble and giggle) across the ice – in the event you’re extra the latter, there are Ice Guides which may be booked to assist as you get your ice legs.
And as a result of it’s within the coronary heart of the Winter Wonderland attraction, there are large numbers of different issues to do throughout your go to to make a day of it – though you possibly can come, skate and go house.
There are penguin skate aids to rent for £5 however these can’t be prebooked and can be found on a first-come first-served foundation.
Skate rent is included, with sizes from youngsters’s measurement 9 as much as adults measurement 13. There are free double bladed bob skates which go over youngsters’s sneakers for smaller skaters, additionally out there first come first served.
Where is it?
Winter Wonderland takes place in Hyde Park – you possibly can enter via any gate, though the closest one to the ice rink is the Blue Gate is most handy.
Use the helpful What Three Words app to search out out precisely the place – the Blue Gate entrance is ///open.restrict.gold which is the southern a part of the park, closest to Hyde Park Corner tube.
When is Winter Wonderland ice rink open?
Winter Wonderland runs November 18 till January 2. The rink is open from 10am to 10pm day-after-day, with the final session at 9pm.
How a lot is Winter Wonderland ice rink?
Tickets value from £10.50-£15.50 for adults and £7.50-£10.50 for youngsters relying whether or not you select off-peak, commonplace or peak periods.
There are additionally household tickets from £30 and an Ice information prices £35 (for all periods). There’s additionally a transaction price based mostly on the worth of your reserving.
Previously entry to Winter Wonderland itself was free and you may simply flip up – the prebooked timed slots launched in 2021 are again once more for 2022, though when you’re inside you possibly can keep so long as you need.
It’s nonetheless free off-peak, however in any other case prices £5 or £7.50 to enter, however in the event you spend £25 per particular person on rides, points of interest or different actions on-line prematurely, your entry cost is routinely refunded
There are various fees for the totally different actions and reveals however you solely want so as to add a few issues on prime of skating to achieve that whole. Book right here.
What else do I must know?
Sessions final for 50 minutes and skaters are requested to reach 20 minutes beforehand.
Bags should be checked in to the cloakroom, costing £1 per merchandise, and you may’t take cameras on the ice for security causes, though you should purchase memento images taken by Winter Wonderland’s skilled.
You can get sizzling drinks on the spectator’s platform or there’s an enormous array of different food and drinks stalls all through Winter Wonderland.
The Queen’s House, Greenwich
One of the most recent additions to London’s ice skating scene, the ice rink on the Queen’s House in Greenwich is the one open air rink in south London in the event you’re on the lookout for ice skating for youths outdoors central London.
For concepts of extra issues to do in Greenwich with youngsters, try my prime picks
Head out onto the ice right here, and you may benefit from the elegant grandeur of a former royal residence however a quite extra intimate setting than the Tower of London or Hampton Court’s grandeur.
The home itself shows objects from the National Maritime Museum’s collections – the museum itself is a stone’s throw away and is free, so you possibly can simply pop in earlier than or after an ice skate with youngsters (prebooking is suggested).
This 12 months, there are particular tiny tots periods for youths aged three to 6 when the rink is quieter and there are additional marshals on the ice – as a substitute of worrying about your youngsters getting squashed by extra enthusiastic skaters, there are solely 20% of the standard numbers and half value tickets for little ones.
Where is it?
On the sting of Greenwich Park, close to the National Maritime Museum and the buildings of the Old Naval College, the rink is subsequent to the ‘House of Delight’ constructed for James I’s Queen.
When is the Queen’s House ice rink open?
The rink shall be open from November 17 till January 8 from 10am to 9pm, with the final skate session beginning at 8pm.
Tiny Tots periods run on Tuesdays throughout time period time, from November 22 to December 13 and on January 3, between 11am and 11.45am.
How a lot is the Queen’s House ice rink?
Tickets value from £16 for adults and £10 for youths (below 16), together with skate rent – there’s additionally a £2.95 transaction price and it’s costlier for tickets at peak occasions.
There is a reduction for Royal Museums Greenwich members and a 50% low cost for youths on the Tiny Tots periods, with youngster tickets priced £5.
There’s restricted availability so reserving on-line is really useful – the identical in the event you’re shopping for tickets at any of the Royal Museums Greenwich (together with the Cutty Sark, Royal Observatory, National Maritime Museum and Queen’s House itself).
There are additionally penguin skate aids out there to rent for youngsters, which value £5 and which may be booked on-line, topic to availability.
What else do I must know?
Sessions final 45 minutes and also you’re requested to reach 15-Half-hour prematurely to have probability to retailer any belongings and get your skates.
You can’t take any luggage on the ice, and there’s restricted storage on the rink. It value £2 to go away objects within the cloakroom (a most of three per particular person), with contactless cost solely.
There are festive food and drinks stalls subsequent to the rink serving sizzling drinks, mulled wine and snacks.
Minimum age to skate is three years, youngsters’s skates can be found from measurement J8 up, and there are double bladed bob skates for youthful youngsters (topic to availability).
Ice Rink Canary Wharf
If you simply can’t wait to get skating once more, Ice Rink Canary Wharf is again once more for 2022, and for a whopping 18 weeks.
As a coated ice rink, it’s an ideal choice if the climate isn’t type (you don’t count on to be heat when ice skating, however it’s positively much less enjoyable within the drizzle!)
As it’s clear, you continue to get the enjoyable of twinkling lights on darkish nights, plus all of the glowing skyscrapers of Canary Wharf – and the longer session means households have a lot of probability to squeeze in loads of ice skating.
Where is it?
The ice rink is at Canada Square Park, inside Canary Wharf purchasing centre, only a few minutes from Canary Wharf tube.
Or for a extra thrilling journey from central London, Uber boat by Thames Clipper stops at Canary Wharf Pier (for extra on the perfect boat excursions in London with youngsters, try this submit)
When is the Canary Wharf ice rink open?
The rink shall be open from October 22 till February 25, 2023 (closed Christmas Day), so one of many few Christmas ice rinks to stay round properly into the New Year.
There are two separate timetables – peak periods run from 9.30 till 21.25 (financial institution holidays, faculty holidays and weekends), whereas off peak occasions (Monday to Friday in time period time) start at 10am, with a closing session at 21.55.
10:00
Last Session
21:55
09:30
Last Session
21:25
How a lot is Ice Rink Canary Wharf?
Tickets value from £17.95 for adults and youths and £13.50 for youths (aged 12 and below), or a household ticket from £53.95.
The value contains skate rent – there’s additionally a £3.50 transaction price.
There are additionally skating classes out there which should be prebooked.
What else do I must know?
Sessions final 50 minutes and also you’re requested to reach a minimum of 25 minutes earlier than the beginning of your session. The minimal age to skate is 4, and there are skates out there from measurement 8 up.
There are additionally skate aids out there, priced £5.95 every. These may be prebooked however you can even rent them as much as Half-hour earlier than the beginning of every skate session on the field workplace, first come first served – there’s restricted availability.
You also can prebook Skate Buddies for £35 – marshals who will accompany teams of 3-15 folks.
You can’t take luggage on the ice, however there are lockers out there priced £1 (non-refundable) for smaller luggage. If you don’t have a £1 coin, you should purchase a token – solely Canary Wharf tokens will work within the lockers.
There are snacks and drinks, together with sizzling chocolate, out there from the Off Piste Bar.
Hampton Court Palace ice rink
This wonderful Tudor palace is someplace I by no means tire of visiting, so I’d positively suggest making a full day and exploring inside (though the Magic Garden usually closes throughout the winter) in addition to the skating session.
Henry VIII might need had the frozen Thames to go skating on, however I cherished having the ability to strap on my skates as nightfall fell and the palace was lit up behind us, seen from the open air rink at Hampton Court Palace.
It’s additionally the place my daughter braved ice skating for the primary time so the perfect introduction to ice skating with youngsters in London.
Run by the identical organisation behind the Tower of London ice rink, you can even guide dolphin and penguin skate aids prematurely right here (though there aren’t any skate aids out there for the night periods from 8pm).
Suitable for for youths below 110cm, they value £5 every. In earlier years, any unbooked skate aids have been out there first come, first served – but when your youngsters will want one, greatest to not threat it.
Skates are included with sizes from youngsters’s measurement 8 as much as grownup measurement 14, with bob skates out there for youthful youngsters.
See what we thought on our go to to the ice rink at Hampton Court Palace.
Where is it?
In entrance of Hampton Court Palace – the palace has (paid) automobile parks inside strolling distance or Hampton practice station can also be a few minutes away, with trains from Waterloo taking Half-hour.
When is Hampton Court ice rink open?
The ice rink is open for six weeks, from November 7 till January 8, excluding Christmas Day. Sessions run from 10am to eight.45pm (final session begins at 8pm).
How a lot is Hampton Court ice rink?
Adult tickets value from £17.50 (together with teenagers aged 13 and above) and from £13 for youngsters aged three to 12. There are additionally household tickets from £49. Book right here.
What else do I must know?
Each session lasts for as much as 45 minutes, and you might be requested to reach 15 to Half-hour earlier than your session begins.
In earlier years, you may change your reserving as much as 48 hours prematurely, however tickets are as soon as once more non-transferable and are unable to be rescheduled, refunded or cancelled – ticket insurance coverage is accessible if you guide.
There’s a cloakroom which prices £2 per merchandise (card funds solely). No luggage are allowed on the ice. The ice rink café has sizzling drinks, meals and a bar.
Christmas ice rinks in London not returning for 2022
Tower of London ice rink
**Cancelled final 12 months for the Jubilee Superbloom floral set up within the moat, the Tower of London ice rink won’t be returning for the 2022-2023 season both**
Theirs is nothing fairly as magical as skating within the moat of the Tower of London – one in every of my favorite buildings within the metropolis (in all probability on this planet), it feels quite fairy-tale to have the towers and partitions as a backdrop as you skate.
The rink is common with all ages so in the event you’re targeted notably on ice skating in London with youngsters, I’d recommend the sooner periods are higher – because it’s on the sting of the City, the sooner periods and weekend daytimes can usually be quieter than different rinks.
Make a Christmassy day of it and mix your ice skating with a go to to the Christmas on the River market close by, or head somewhat additional alongside the Thames to the South Bank Christmas market.
A giant bonus is that you may guide skate aids prematurely for different periods (though there aren’t any skate aids out there on the final 8pm session of the day). There’s a restricted quantity so it should be accomplished prematurely, costing £5, however in contrast to lots of different Christmas ice rinks in London, you don’t need to take the danger of them operating out in the event you go to with youngsters.
Skates are included with sizes from youngsters’s measurement 8 as much as grownup measurement 14.
Where is it?
At the Tower of London – head to the standard signed entrance from Tower Hill tube to achieve the ice skating entrance.
When is the Tower of London ice rink open?
The ice rink is often open for seven weeks from mid November till early January, excluding Christmas Day.
In earlier years, periods have run from 10-11am till 9pm, with some later opening at weekends throughout December.
How a lot is the Tower of London ice rink?
Adult tickets beforehand value from £16 (together with teenagers aged 13 and above) and from £11.50 for youngsters aged three to 12, with household tickets from £46.
What else do I must know?
Sessions often final for 45 minutes, and you might be requested to reach Half-hour earlier than your session begins.
There’s a cloakroom which prices £2 per merchandise (card cost solely). No luggage are allowed on the ice. The ice rink café has sizzling drinks, meals and a bar.
Natural History Museum ice rink
With the gorgeous Natural History Museum constructing lit up behind it and a Christmas tree glowing within the centre, the Natural History Museum ice rink is unfortunately now not a festive fixture – 2021 was the ultimate 12 months that you may take to the ice earlier than it closed.
The five-acre gardens on which the rink sits are being reworked right into a hub for city wildlife.
If you’re planning a go to to the Natural History Museum too, try my suggestions for visiting, in addition to my information to London’s museums with youngsters.
Winterville ice rink
There’s one thing quite tempting concerning the thought of skating throughout Clapham Common – you’d want to attend some time for the widespread itself to freeze, however the ice rink at Winterville took care of all that. Sadly after being cancelled as soon as once more in 2021, there aren’t any plans for the Christmas market and festive enjoyable to return this 12 months.
Previously, it was open Tuesday to Sunday and skating periods ran from 3pm to 10pm on weekdays, and from 11am to 10pm at weekends.
Ice skating in London with youngsters year-round
The ice rink at Alexandra Palace
The Alexandra Palace ice rink is open year-round, whether or not you’re seeking to brush up your skating earlier than taking up the Christmas ice rinks in London or whether or not you’ve found a style for skating at one of many non permanent rinks.
And Ally Pally, because it’s higher recognized to Londoners, has been house to an ice rink for round 30 years – the People’s Palace, to offer it its first title, was opened in 1873 earlier than a fireplace destroyed the unique constructing simply 16 days later.
Reopened, it continued till 1980 when a second blaze destroyed a lot of the palace, till it was lastly reopened as soon as once more. The grounds embrace a boating lake, deer enclosure and park, it’s a music venue, and there are occasions and actions galore.
The ice rink itself hosts ice hockey and a weekend ice disco, in addition to the general public periods. There are skates out there from youngster measurement 6 (as much as grownup measurement 14) in addition to skate aids to rent.
Where is it?
Alexandra Palace is between Muswell Hill and Wood Green in north London – the closest tube is Wood Green or you possibly can take a practice to Alexandra Palace railway station from King’s Cross.
There are additionally 1,200 parking areas in the event you select to drive. The ice rink is on the precise hand aspect of the principle buildings.
When is Alexandra Palace ice rink open?
Opening occasions might differ between time period time and holidays, so it value checking the location earlier than you go to. It’s presently open from 11 or 11.30am, closing between 4.30pm and 5.30pm.
There are additionally ice skating programs together with ice skating for toddlers up.
How a lot is Alexandra Palace ice rink?
Entrance to the ice rink prices from £9.50 for adults, £8.50 for youngsters aged 5 to fifteen and £6.00 for below fives (extra at weekends and college holidays).
There are additionally skate aids for youngsters, priced from £6.50 for penguin skate aids for youths aged three to seven, £7.50 for snowmen for youngsters aged 8-11. You also can rent seal skates for youths aged 5 and below (to be pushed by an grownup skater).
Available for public periods on holidays and weekends solely and should be prebooked.
What else do I must know?
There is a café on the location, and Alexandra Palace additionally hosts a Panto on Ice throughout December.
Queens Skate ice skating
Queens Skate | Dine |Bowl is house – as its title suggests – to bowling in addition to ice skating, and its rink just isn’t solely the scale of two soccer pitches, it’s additionally the one one in central London.
Open year-round, there are public periods in addition to programs if you wish to enhance your expertise. The Learn to Skate classes are for youngsters aged 5 and up, and run throughout term-time for between 4 and 7 weeks to show the fundamentals of ice skating.
If ice hockey grabs your youngsters, there are additionally separate programs to show the fundamentals of ice hockey to over fives.
Where is it?
Queens is true by Queensway tube (therefore the title) or two minutes from Bayswater tube. It’s additionally strolling distance from Notting Hill Gate tube amongst others.
When is Queens ice rink open?
The ice rink is open seven days every week from 10am, with totally different periods on weekdays and on the weekend till late night, in addition to after faculty skate golf equipment.
However, under-18s are solely allowed till 8pm within the night after which it turns into an over-18s zone.
How a lot is Queens ice rink rink?
Skating at Queens ice rink prices from £12.50 for over 12s and £11 for under-12s in the event you prebook.
There are additionally particular offers on Mondays and Tuesday (excluding half-terms, Christmas and Easter faculty holidays) with ice skating for £7.50 per particular person, all day, for all ages – should be prebooked.
Skate rent isn’t included and this prices £3 in the event you don’t have your personal skates (or £2.75 for youths). These can be found from youngsters’ measurement 4 (as much as grownup measurement 14) with some strap-on double-blade skates for toddlers.
Penguin skate aids are additionally out there to guide.
What else do I must know?
The rink does have a skate-up bar, the SinBin, in addition to meals served from noon from MeatLiquor. Realistically, it’s extra prone to enchantment to teenagers than youthful youngsters although.
Other Christmas ice rinks in London
Pop-up ice rinks come and go, because the title suggests so even beforehand common rinks don’t all the time make a return – the ice rink on the London Eye has not taken place for the previous couple of years.
But whereas the rooftop ice rink in central London, Skyline Skating at John Lewis, 2022 will see the reutnr of a rooftop ice rink in east London, Skylight at Tobacco Dock in Shadwell – though it’s aimed extra at adults (or teenagers) than households, for these planning ice skating with youngsters in London,
Westfield London Winter Village
The non permanent ice rink at Westfield London Winter Village is again once more for 2022, with father or mother and toddler periods in addition to periods for youngsters with extra wants throughout the seven week run.
Running from November 19 to January 8, periods will happen from 10am to 10pm (final skate 9pm). Sessions final 45 minutes, and also you’re requested to reach 15-Half-hour early.
The 1,000 metre sq. rink can also be house to a 65ft Christmas tree, plus different festive household occasions together with a Meet Santa expertise.
Priced from £15.50 for adults, from £11 for youths aged 3-12, plus a £1.20 reserving price. Family tickets are additionally out there, as are skate aids for youths aged 3+. Click right here for extra info or to guide.
For extra festive concepts of issues to do in London with youngsters, try this submit on London’s festive gentle trails in addition to the perfect issues to do for Christmas in London with youngsters
Disclaimer: Ice skating is a big quantity of enjoyable however it does have dangers – please skate responsibly and make your personal judgements on whether or not your youngsters are sufficiently old to strive themselves.
PIN FOR LATER: THE BEST PLACES TO ICE SKATE IN LONDON WITH KIDS
Natural History Museum picture, Alexandra Palace and Canary Wharf courtesy Depositphotos, Winter Wonderland picture copyright Carolina Faruolo/Winter Wonderland, Queen’s House rink courtesy Royal Museums Greenwich, Winterville copyright The Pigeon Pair and Me. All others copyright MummyTravels