Ice skating is one of the best wintertime activities, regardless of whether you're out with your kids, your significant other or your mates. During winter and the festive period in particular, many new ice rinks pop up at scenic spots around London, but year-round indoor ice skating is available in the capital as well. We've rounded up some of the best ice rinks in the city so that you can have as smooth a slide as possible. Read on to find out where to go ice skating in London.
Where to go ice skating in London
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Where to go ice skating in London
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1Alexandra Palace All-year ice rink at iconic landmark
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2Lee Valley Ice Centre Modern and unique
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3Queens Year-round family fun
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4Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre Over 80 years of non-stop skating
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5Winter Wonderland Largest open-air ice rink in the UK
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6Somerset House Picture-perfect ice-skating rink
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7Ice Rink Canary Wharf Get a jump-skate on the competition
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8JW3 Community centre pop-up ice rink
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9Westfield Skating at the mall
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10Glide Glide around the Christmas tree
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11Hampton Court Palace Beautiful outdoor ice skating at Tudor palace
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Where to go ice skating in London
London's best ice rinks
All-year ice rink at iconic landmark
Among its many entertainment facilities, the historic Ally Pally also sports a year-round ice rink that’s among the best-known in the city, with hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. You can begin or advance your ice-skating journey here with regular classes, host a birthday party and skate to classic pop hits on ice disco nights. The Alexandra Palace ice rink is also home to local hockey team the Haringey Huskies and hosts regular league matches.
- When: all year
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Alexandra Palace Way, Haringey
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Website
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Alexandra Park & Palace
020-836 521 21 - Read more on Thatsup
Modern and unique
Following an extensive renovation and expansion in 2023, the Lee Valley Ice Centre now proudly houses one of only three Olympic-sized twin rinks in the entire country. The modern facility is open all year and features an assortment of leisure amenities, such as a gym, café, community spaces, and more. A diverse range of courses and lessons is offered to make sure no one loses their footing, regardless of prior ice-skating skills.
- When: all year
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Lea Bridge Road, Waltham Forest
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Website
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Lee Valley Ice Centre
0300-003 06 24 - Read more on Thatsup
Year-round family fun
An iconic Central London destination for family fun, Queens boasts an ice rink that's open throughout the year. The venue also encompasses a bowling alley and, in addition to classic skating sessions, offers the bowling and skating hybrid of curling on select nights. There are also retro arcade games, live sports and other entertainment you can enjoy.
- When: all year
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17 Queensway
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Website
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Queens London
020-722 901 72 - Read more on Thatsup
Over 80 years of non-stop skating
The multi-purpose Streatham Ice and Leisure centre offers a range of sports facilities, including an indoor ice rink that’s open throughout the year. The Olympic-sized rink comes with seating for 900 spectators. The programme includes ice skating, lessons and courses, ice hockey and more. You can get an ice-skating membership with unlimited access during public skating sessions and free skate hire.
- When: all year
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390 Streatham High Rd
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Website
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Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre
020-867 757 58 - Read more on Thatsup
Largest open-air ice rink in the UK
London's traditional festive fair in Hyde Park, Winter Wonderland, includes an ice-skating rink among the many entertainment options it offers – the largest one in the country, even. You can skate around the park's Victorian bandstand, beneath a canopy of twinkling lights, with sessions lasting 45 minutes. Due to high demand, booking ahead is advisable.
- When: 21 Nov–5 Jan
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Hyde Park
- Website
- Read more on Thatsup
Picture-perfect ice-skating rink
Somerset House, a prominent arts centre in a grand Georgian-era building, sets up a beautiful ice rink in its courtyard each festive season for spectacular Christmas fun. The 2024 edition of Skate at Somerset House has an alpine feel to it, including gourmet alpine dining courtesy of pop-up legend Jimmy Garcia, late-night DJ sets and other special events.
- When: 13 Nov–12 Jan
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Strand, Covent Garden
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Website
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Somerset House
020-784 546 00 - Read more on Thatsup
Get a jump-skate on the competition
Ice Rink Canary Wharf opens as early as October and closes towards the end of February, making it one of the longest-running seasonal ice rinks in London. During the 18 weeks, you can enjoy skating around a covered open-air rink, beneath twinkling fairy lights. Before or after your session, you can pop into the accompanying bar for a drink, or take advantage of the various retailers and business in the surrounding area.
- When: 26 Oct–23 Feb
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Canada Square, Canary Wharf/Tower Hamlets
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Website
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Ice Rink Canary Wharf
020-741 824 23 - Read more on Thatsup
Community centre pop-up ice rink
At JW3, the only Jewish Community Centre of its kind in the country, you can skate on a pop-up ice rink beneath shimmering lights from the beginning of December to the beginning of January. Penguin stabilisers and banana toboggans are available for children who are still finding their footing on the ice as well.
- When: 8 Dec–5 Jan
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341-351 Finchley Rd, Hampstead
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Website
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JW3
020-743 389 88 - Read more on Thatsup
Skating at the mall
As part of its Christmas wonderland, the Westfield London mall sets up an atmospheric open-air ice rink in Westfield Square, this year themed after Disney's animated film “Moana 2”. Sessions are available throughout the day for individuals as well as groups – you can even hire out the entire rink for a Christmas party. You can complement your festivities with a treat or two at the festive Winter Village, and even pick up some last-minute gifts in the shopping centre.
- When: 15 Nov–5 Jan
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Ariel Way, Hammersmith and Fulham
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Website
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Westfield London
020-337 123 00 - Read more on Thatsup
Glide around the Christmas tree
In front of the rejuvenated and reopened Battersea Power Station, the Glide open-air ice rink boasts a magnificent backdrop thanks to the historic landmark. It's also London's only riverside ice rink, meaning it comes with unparalleled views of the Thames as well. The festive experience is enhanced by a 30 ft Christmas tree, Christmas lights, and ornaments around the three interconnected rinks, and additional live entertainment, funfair rides, and food stalls are available too.
- When: 8 Nov–5 Jan
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Circus Rd W, Vauxhall/Battersea
- Website
- Read more on Thatsup
Beautiful outdoor ice skating at Tudor palace
Best-known for being the home of Henry VIII, Hampton Court Palace is an impressive Grade I-building. During the festive season, it sets up an outdoor ice-skating ring on its grounds. The relaxed seasonal spot also offers snacks and warming drinks from the on-site café and bar, and you can pay a visit to the palace as part of your trip here as well.
- When: 22 Nov–5 Jan
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Hampton Court Way, Moseley
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Website
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Hampton Court Palace
020-316 660 00 - Read more on Thatsup