Ice skating in London 2022: The best ice rinks across the capital from the Hampton Court to Somerset House

With the temperature dipping down towards freezing, and the faintest chime of sleigh bells in the distance, London is getting into the swing of the festive season. And one of the best ways to revel in the wintry weather is to don your ice skates and go for a glide on one of the capital’s many rinks.

Here, we’ve rounded up all the venues you need to know about, whether for an afternoon of family fun or date night (do beware the ignominy of the slipped-over skater, though). Most of these are hugely popular, so play it safe and book your tickets in advance: check each rink's website for details of prices and availability.

Be aware, too, that for many places, prices vary according to when you plan to skate: weekends and evenings are typically the most popular sessions, and consequently the most expensive (that said, where prices are fixed, we’ve included them — where prices are excluded, check the website for details). If you're comparing two places on price alone, check how long each skate will last: some run longer than others. Almost everywhere includes skate hire in their ticket price, though many allow customers to bring their own. Similarly, most places offer skate-aids for nervous skaters, which are are typically £5 - £10 extra to hire, and normally available on a first-come, first-served basis. And, if you’re wondering where on this list the famous Natural History Museum rink is — well, it’s gone, with the 2021 season its last, after 16 glorious years. Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives for this year: happy slipping and sliding.

Hampton Court Palace, Molesey

Henry VIII’s magnificent 500-year-old red-brick Tudor palace makes for a spectacular backdrop for ice skating, and there’s are refreshments available for afterwards. In the day time, it’s family-friendly, while once night falls, it becomes more date-friendly as they light up the ring with hundreds of coloured lights.

November 17 — January 8, East Molesey, KT8 9AU, hrp.org.uk

Skylight, Wapping

Skating up high? Why not? Perhaps not entirely surprisingly, London's first rooftop rink is also its only rooftop rink. Sessions cost £15 for 45 minutes, and once you’re done on the ice, book in for the winter igloos, for a night of cocktails and Alpine-inspired grub. There’s plenty of mulled wine floating about, too.

Until January, Tobacco Dock, E1W 2SF, skylightlondon.com

The Queen’s House Ice Rink, Greenwich

Not many ice rinks can claim a space on a UNESCO World Heritage site, but that’s the case with this one, which is found within the grounds of the Royal Museums Greenwich. The views — of both of bucolic Greenwich Park and urban glitter of Canary Wharf across the Thames — are another draw, while there are hot drinks and snacks available, with bigger meals served up at the nearby Parkside Cafe in the National Maritime Museum (the cafe is only open when the museum is).

November 17 — January 8, National Maritime Museum Gardens, SE10 9NF, rmg.co.uk

Somerset House, Temple

The efficiently named Skate at Somerset House comes in two forms: during the day, it's a gorgeous spot to glide about in the ever-impressive courtyard, while in the evening, they host Skate Lates, which see top DJs and musical acts take over the ringside. As with last year, Moët & Chandon are ringside pouring Champagne and cocktails, and the 40ft Christmas tree is back too.

November 16 — January 15, Strand, WC2R 1LA, somersethouse.org.uk

Alexandra Palace, Muswell Hill

Ally Pally comes into its own in the winter: Bonfire night is enormously popular (and more akin to a mini festival than mere fireworks), and its ice rink is a similarly crowd-pleasing. It’s indoors, and as such protected from the weather, and is known to be particularly welcoming for those of all ages — they boast regulars from three to 90-years-old. It does, however, get busy, so book up well in advance.

November 28 — January 8, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY, alexandrapalace.com

Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park

Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park returns with UK's largest outdoor ice rink, set around a Victorian bandstand and illuminated by a canopy of lights. Skating runs from 10am until 10pm, with 50 minute sessions running every hour on the hour (be sure to arrive 20 minutes in advance of your session, though). There's a photographer on hand if you want a souvenir, but personal cameras aren’t allowed on the ice. Elsewhere in Winter Wonderland, there’s also an ice slide and ice sculpting workshops too.

November 18 — January 2, Knightsbridge, W2 2UH, hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

Glide at Battersea Power Station, Battersea

A brand new offering for 2022, Glide comes swiftly on the heels of the opening of the revived Battersea Power Station. The riverside rink is a big one, as 1,200sq metres and room for 300 skaters at any one time, and is centred around a 30ft Christmas tree. In one sense, it’s also the rebirth of the Natural History Museum’s rink, as it comes from the same group who once ran that. They’re billing it as “the most magnificent open-air ice rink in the city”; go find out if it’s true.

November 11 — January 8, Battersea Power Station, SW8 5BN, glidebatterseapowerstation.co.uk

Canary Wharf

Ever determined to prove itself as somewhere more than just the workplace of the suits (and, to be fair, progress has been made), Canary Wharf’s rink has returned for another year. It is a striking space, sat under a twinkling glass roof, on top of the main shopping centre. The skyscrapers that surround it make for an eerily beautiful view. On Wednesdays, there is often live music.

Until February 25, Canada Square Park, E14 5AB, icerinkcanarywharf.co.uk

The Winter Festival, Brent Cross

There’s all sorts going on at this winter festival in north-west London, but the ice rink is always one of the main attractions. It’s hugely popular with families, thanks in part to its large size — children won’t be crammed in — and in part because of all the other things there are to do once it’s time up on the ice, from white-knuckle rides to visiting Santa’s Grotto, or indulging in mulled wine, donuts, pancakes and more.

November 26 — January 2, Brent Cross Shopping Centre, NW4 3EP, winterfestivalbrentcross.com

JW3

Though only open for a short while, it’s cheering to see this rink return at this popular Jewish arts, culture and community centre, having been forced to close owing to the past couple of years of upheavel. It’s what you might call a cosy size, at 200 square metres, and music is played throughout the skate sessions.

December 4 — January 3, 341-351 Finchley Road, NW3 6ET, jw3.org.uk