10 Best Places to Go Ice Skating in London in 2023

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.

Our top tip for ice skating in London? Arrive around 20 minutes before your session to sort your skates out.

Not all of the dates have been released for 2022 so we will update this post as and when they come out. Unfortunately there has been one big cancellation; the Ice Rink at the Tower of London will not take place this year.

Natural History Museum Ice Skating

(I’m going to leave this here this year just to advise you that there will sadly be no further ice skating at the Natural History Museum.

It has been decided, after 16 years of running the ice skating rink here, that the area will be turned into a wildlife garden)

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 and a top attraction in London for families, 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 London for kids and one of the many free things to do in London with kids.

When: ENDED

Price: NA

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 Moet & Chandon and created a mini Christmas market next to the rink offering 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.

In the summer, this space becomes one of the best places in London to cool off as they turn on the play fountains!

When: 16th November to 15th January 2023.

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

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

Nearest tube: Temple.

If you are looking for somewhere to visit Santa in London, there is a Santa’s Grotto at the Strand Palace Hotel just a short stroll from Somerset House. See all our recommendations on places to see Santa in London here.

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 façade illuminated. Skate aids are available.

Don’t just come for the ice rink though. Hampton Court Palace is beautiful and you can have a lovely family day out from London in the winter here.

When: 17th November 2022 to 8th January 2023 from 10.00 am to 21.00 (except Christmas Day).

Price: Adult – from £17.50, Child (3-12) – from £13.00 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

Battersea Power Station

For those lamenting the closure of the ice skating rink at the Natural History Museum – there is a new and exciting ice rink at Battersea Power Station.

It is run by the same people who ran the NHM rink (and Winter Wonderland).

You can book a private igloo for up to 8 people.

When: 11th November to 8th January 2023.

Price: Adult – £12.00 and child – £8.00.

Where: Battersea Power Station, Circus Road West, Nine Elms, London, SW8 5BN.

Nearest tube: Battersea Power Station (Northern Line).

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: This will not open in 2022.

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: All year – 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: 22nd October 2022 to 25th February 2023.

Price: £17.95 per adult / £11.95 per child (4 – 12).

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: 17th November 2022 to 8th January 2023 (except Christmas Day).

Price: Adult – from £15.00, Child (3-15) – from £8.50. 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.

Winter Wonderland Ice Skating

The Winter Wonderland ice rink is the centrepiece 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.

There is so much going on at Winter Wonderland, including Christmas markets and fairground rides. It’s one of the most festive places to go ice skating in London for sure!

When: 18th November 2022 to 2nd January 2023.

Price: Adult – from £10.50, Child (3-15) – from £7.50.

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 2023 so we will keep an eye on this and update accordingly.