The best ice rinks in London

We're in November, it's officially a bit chilly, so it's time to start looking for those activities that make the festive season special. Ice skating will be incredibly popular of the next few months and London is spoilt for choice when it comes to god rinks for all abilites. We thought we'd narrow down some of the best ones where you can make lasting memories and maybe have an embarrassing fall. Are you a figure skater or a side wall clinger?

Alexandra Palace Ice Rink

Photo credit: Alexandra Palace

Open most of the time, Alexandra Palace ice rink is frequently a place you can go and skate around. That's when the local ice hockey team Haringey Huskies aren't playing on the surface. You can rent some skates and take to the ice, they also host birthday parties and even have an ice disco event you can enjoy.

Somerset House

Image credit: Skate at Somerset House

Somerset House's ice rink event is called Skate and it sees the courtyard of the icnic building completely transformed. It makes for some amazing photo opportunities and as well as a wide open space to skate in, there's a restaurant you can enjoy and pop up stores with vintage clothes.

Hampton Court Palace

Photo credit: Hampton Court Palace

Another incredibly picturesque location, Hampton Court Palace's ice rink is huge, leaving you plenty of space to glide around in. You can extend your visit to a whole day trip by also taking a tour of the grounds. 10% of the ticket sales will go towards Greatest Hits Radio's Cash for Kids Christmas campaign.

Canary Wharf

Image credit: Sean Pollock Photography

The Canary Wharf ice rink will be running all the way until the 24th February 2024. Once you've had a go on the ice, you can head to the Grandstand Bar where you can sip cocktails and ice cold beers from across the world. Make a proper day out of it.

Glide at Battersea Power Station

Image credit: Battersea Power Station

Skate away underneath the chimney's of one of South London's most iconic landmarks. The area has been rejuvenated in recent years, so after a trip to the shops you can glide away to your heart's content.

Winter Wonderland Hyde Park

Image credit: Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is one of the biggest winter events in London and draws in families from all across the UK each year. Their ice rink is a huge feature of that experience and offers skating supports for your young ones as they experience the ice for the first time.

Skate West End

Skate West End is a brand new experience coming to central London. With a rink that has a unique elliptical shape, it is the perfect place for a date or a quick bit of fun after work. The rink will also be supporting Great Ormond Street Hospital, one of Skiddle's charity partners. You can find out more about Skiddle and Great Ormond Street here.

Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre

Streatham Leisure Centre is blessed by having an Olympic-sized ice rink, where you can take part in a session of public skating as well as ice and patch ice sessions. It's a great environment in which to learn to ice skate.

Lee Valley Ice Centre

Image credit: Better

A welcome addition to South East London, Lee Valley Ice Centre is a recently added £30 million building that has not one but two Olympic-sized rinks. It will be a welcoming place of community where ice skating and hockey fanatics can mix and will be the perfect place for new starters. 

Westfield Ice Rink

Image credit: MyLondon

How else could you make Christmas shopping better than by going out to an ice rink after? Even if you find the Christmas shop stressful, you can let off some steam here. You'll find it at the White City branch, right in front of the entrance.

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.