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Ice skating is one of my favourite Christmas activities; there’s just something wonderfully romantic, festive, and fun about it. And there are so many incredible places to go ice skating in London this Christmas. Many have some great extras, such as disco-nights or themed sessions.
With the city as a beautiful backdrop, ice skating is one of the best things to do in London in winter. The only tricky bit is choosing where to go! So I’ve put together a list the best ice rinks in London this winter – enjoy!
RELATED POST: Best London Christmas Markets
Latest Update November 2023: This post has now been updated with the latest info and 2023 dates.
6 Ice Skating London Christmas Rinks
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
2023 Dates: 17 November – 1 January 2024
10am – 10pm. This one gets super busy so book in advance!
This is one of the most popular – and magical – Christmas events in London! It’s also within easy reach of all the sights of Westminster and central London. Once Winter Wonderland takes over Hyde Park, guests can enjoy a beautiful outdoor ice rink set around the illuminated Victorian bandstand.
With a Christmas tree at its centre and a cover of a web of over 10,000 twinkling lights overhead, the rink is truly beautiful. It’s also the largest outdoor ice rink in the UK. So this really is London Christmas ice skating at its best!
SKATE at Somerset House
2023 Dates: 15 November – 14 January 2024
Set in the impressive surroundings of this 18th-century palace, the outdoor ice rink at Somerset House is overlooked by a huge Christmas tree. This year, the rink has been given a uniquely Swiss twist courtesy of Switzerland Tourism.
After a skating session, guests can browse the pop-up shops in the Christmas Arcade, which takes over the West Wing for the festive season. Or, you can chill with a hot chocolate or some tasty food in the pop-up alpine restaurant Chalet Suisse.
Somerset House is easily one of the best ice rinks in London. The setting is stunning, and the rink hosts several special events such as club nights and discos!
Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink
2023 Dates: 17 November – 7 January 2024
Another royal setting, this time beneath the grandeur of Henry VIII’s palace. Hampton Court Palace is illuminated after nightfall to provide a truly fairytale setting for skaters.
The Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink also offers skating lessons for children and a rink-side bar and café, serving winter drinks and festive treats. Surely one of the most spectacular places to ice skate in London.
Ice Rink Canary Wharf
2023 Dates: 21 October – 24 February 2024
The Canary Wharf ice rink is set in Canada Square Park, surrounded by soaring towers and the fantastic nearby complex of shops, bars and restaurants. Fairy-lit trees, a luxurious on-site restaurant and bar, and London’s only skate path – the ice rink at Canary Wharf is one of the coolest in London.
Skylight Rooftop at Tobacco Dock
2023 Dates: 10 November – 30 December
On the converted top floor of a multi-storey car park, Tobacco Dock’s Skylight is “London’s most imaginative rooftop bar”. Awesome views across some of the city centre’s most iconic buildings, a lively wooden bar, and tasty street food stalls make for a seriously cool experience. In winter, things get even cooler with the return of Skylight’s amazing ice rink – London’s first (and only) rooftop ice rink!
You can also book igloos and covered heated booths, complete with mounds of blankets, to enjoy the 360° vistas of London’s incredible skyline.
Tower of London Ice Rink
2023 Dates: Cancelled
Sadly, the ice rink at this iconic London landmark is cancelled again this year. Fingers crossed it will return for Christmas 2024.
Have I missed any of the best ice skating London Christmas rinks from this list? Share your top tips in the comments!
Can’t wait for Christmas ice skating in London! I am moving over in less than a month and think this is one of the things I’m most excited about. Thank you so much for the list of the best options! Do you know if there are rinks available all year or are they all made up just for the season?
Most of them are only available over xmas, usually Nov-Jan. There are definitely some indoor rinks all year round, but no outdoor I’m afraid. There’s one near Green Park tube station that is pretty big and relatively cheap :)
Where are you moving from?
Awesome thanks, will definitely be giving it a go.
Am moving from New Zealand! Was meant to stay after traveling around Europe last year but had to go home for a family emergency so looking forward to heading back and giving it a real go!
Wow, big move!! London is a great place to live, so much stuff going on :) Do you know where you’ll be living yet?
Yeah can’t wait to be there, the three weeks last year was no where near enough!
Am hoping to live and work in the Clapham/Fulham/Putney jobs of area. Find out about work in a week or two then will figure it out from there:-)
Clapham is an awesome place to live! I lived pretty nearby in Brixton and loved it – left to come to South America though!
South America would be awesome! Are you planning on going back to London after o starting a new adventure?
If I have enough money left then I want to start a new adventure – or maybe spend a year abroad teaching/writing! But I’ll probably wind up in London again eventually, all my friends are there.
Looking at a place there on Thurs! Hope your enjoying your new adventure:-)
Really?! It’s such a cool area, I definitely recommend it :)
That would be a good one, Asia is meant to be a good spot to teach English etc and cheap to live!
I love watching people skate, although I end up injured every time I try!
Haha – that means you just need more practice!! I love it, although I’ve only really mastered going forwards – turning quickly is impossible, and stopping usually involves crashing into the barrier ;)