10 Cool Places to Go Ice Skating in London in 2021

London is an impossibly cool city anyway, but over the festive period, these places to go ice skating in London increase the cool factor in more ways than one. Visiting a London ice rink is one of the best things to do with kids at Christmas and it’s when London really comes alive with all the twinkling Christmas lights.

Being the historic city that London is, of course it had to be the first place in the world to have a mechanically frozen ice rink, the Glaciarium, which opened in 1844. There are now lots of London ice rinks.

There are the big hitters like the Tower of London Ice Rink, Somerset House Ice Rink and The Natural History Museum Ice Rink but also some lesser known ice skating rinks in London. London really is one of the best cities in the UK to visit at Christmas.

Not all of the dates have been released for 2020 so we will update this post as and when they come out. Unfortunately there have already been two big cancellations; the Tower of London and Winter Wonderland.

Natural History Museum Ice Skating

Ice skating Natural History Museum – probably the most festive ice skating London can offer is the NHM ice rink. The epic backdrop of the Natural History Museum, one of the most iconic sights in London, is hard to beat. There’s also a huge Christmas tree in the middle of the rink. We highly recommend this one if you’re looking for something to do at Christmas in London. Skate aids are available.

If you have time, why not turn up a little early and pop in to the Natural History Museum? It’s one of the best museums in the world and one of the many free things to do in London with kids.

When: CANCELLED FOR 2020

Price: Adult – from £12.65, Child – from £8.80

Where: The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD

Nearest tube: South Kensington

Natural History Museum ice skating

Somerset House Ice Skating

Ice skating Somerset House – competes with the Natural History Museum for the most beautiful location for a spot of London ice skating. The Somerset House ice rink has teamed up with Fortnum & Mason for the last few years and created a mini Christmas market next to the rink ofering the best of their food, drink and gifts. Skate aids are available.

On certain evenings there are special music events (Skate Lates). Tickets prices for these events are more.

When: CANCELLED FOR 2020

Price: Adult – from £10.00, Child (under 12) – from £8.50

Where: Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA

Nearest tube: Temple

Hampton Court Ice Skating

Hampton Court is one of the most impressive Royal Palaces in the world. A quick 30-minute train journey out of the centre of London to the Hampton Court ice rink is well worth it.

The ice rink is located in the gardens of the Tudor palace and if you feel like warming up, there’s the Hampton Court Palace ice rink café and bar. Ice skating in the evening is particularly special with the palace facade illuminated. Skate aids are available.

When: 20th November 2020 to 3rd January 2021 from 10.00 am to 21.00 (except Christmas Day)

Price: Adult – from £16.00, Child (3-12) – from £11.50 for 45 minute sessions. Skate Aid – £5.00 (must be pre-booked)

Where: Hampton Court Palace, Hampton Court Way, Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU

Nearest tube: Hampton Court Station (overland train) on the SouthWestern Railway from London Waterloo

Hampton Court Palace ice skating | Photo Credit: Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink

Tower of London Ice Skating

The large open space outside the imposing walls of the Tower of London is the ideal space for ice skating in London. The Tower of London is one of the most impressive castles in England and you can’t get much more of an impressive backdrop for an ice rink.

The ice rink at the Tower of London is arguably best visited in the early evening when the Tower lights are just coming on and make for a stunning illuminated backdrop to the rink. Skate aids are available and must be booked in advance.

When: CANCELLED FOR 2020

Price: N/A

Where: Tower of London, St Katherine’s & Wapping, London, EC3N 4AB

Nearest tube: Tower Hill

Tower of London ice skating rink | Photo Credit: Tower of London Ice Rink

Alexandra Palace Ice Skating

The Alexandra Palace Ice Rink is now open and offers fun skating sessions on an indoor rink. Ally Pally ice skating lessons are also available (although very popular). Skate aids are available for an extra charge.

It is one of the best places to go ice skating in London all year round.

When: From 16th October 2020 – 11.00 to 17.30 weekdays and 11.00 to 18.00 weekends

Price: (Weekdays) Adult – £9.00, Child (5-16) – £8.00, Under 5 – £6.00 | (Weekends) Adult – £9.50, Child (5-16) – £8.50, Under 5 – £6.50

Where: Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London, N22 7AY

Nearest tube: Wood Green (although the Alexandra Palace overground station is closer – trains depart Moorgate)

Alexandra Palace Ice Rink | Photo Credit: Alexandra Palace

Ice Rink Canary Wharf

Canary Wharf ice skating is back in 2020 in Canada Square Park. The modern skycrapers of Canary Wharf provide a complete polar opposite to the historic backdrops of the Tower and Natural History Museum. There’s also a huge screen providing an ever changing backdrop. Polar bear skate aids are available for little ones and the Grandstand Bar looks out onto the rink if you just want to watch.

When: TBC

Price: TBC

Where: Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AB

Nearest tube: Canary Wharf

Canary Wharf Ice Rink | Photo Credit: Ice Rink Canary Wharf

Skylight Ice Rink

The Skylight rooftop bar is home to one of London’s lesser known ice skating rinks and a real hidden gem in London. How cool is a rooftop ice rink? If you’re popping here for a skate and fancy a bite, it’s one of six restaurants in London with igloos. It’s a really family-friendly place to eat in London. Skate aids are available.

When: TBC

Price: £12.00 for 45 minutes. No booking required. Tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis. Skate aids are included.

Where: Skylight, Tobacco Dock, Pennington Street, Wapping, London, E1W 2SF

Nearest tube: Shadwell

Skylight Ice Rink | Photo Credit: Skylight

Queen’s House Ice Rink

The Queen’s House Greenwich ice rink is located in a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the grounds of the Royal Museums Greenwich with amazing views of the River Thames. Skate aids are available.

When: 20th November 2020 to 10th January 2021 (except Christmas Day)

Price: Adult – £14.50 – £17.00, Child (3-15) – £7.25 – £9.00. There’s a one off booking fee of £2.95 and skate aids must be pre-booked (£5.00). Sessions last 45 minutes.

Where: Queen’s House, Romney Road, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NF

Nearest tube: Cutty Sark

The Queen’s House Ice Rink | Photo Credit: Royal Museums Greenwich

Winter Wonderland Ice Skating

The Winter Wonderland ice rink is the centre piece of Hyde Park Winter Wonderland set around the Victorian band stand in Hyde Park. It’s the largest outdoor skating rink in the UK and sessions get booked up quickly. There are penguin skate aids available for kids.

When: CANCELLED FOR 2020

Price: N/A

Where: Hyde Park

Nearest tube: Hyde Park Corner

Winter Wonderland Ice Skating Rink | Photo Credit: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Camden Market Ice Rink

Camden’s Ice Rink is located in Camden Market’s North Yard. It’s a long, narrow rink with skate aids for both adults and kids and one of the coolest places to go ice skating in London.

When: TBC

Price: TBC

Where: Camden Market, North Yard, Chalk Farm Road, Camden, London, NW1 8AH

Nearest tube: Chalk Farm, Camden Town

Camden’s Ice Rink | Photo Credit: Camden Market

Watch this space…

In 2019 there was a pop up ice rink in Covent Garden in association with Tiffany & Co. There is a chance of more pop ups in 2020 so we will keep an eye on this and update accordingly.