THE UK’S TOP 10 ICE RINKS
The Best Ice Rinks in London and Beyond to Get Your Skate On in 2026
It is the law that as soon as the 50 Denier tights and beanies make an appearance, you must sniff out a good ice rink to get your festive juices going.
London wins in the icy stakes, from Somerset House’s iconic rink and The Queen's House, to the UK's largest open-air rink at Winter Wonderland, Glide at Battersea Power Station and Ice at Kensington Palace.
So we’ve rounded up the best rinks in the capital, plus some extra special glacial experiences in the rest of the UK to get your Torvill and Dean on.
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Skate at Somerset House
It’s not Christmas until Somerset House opens its iconic rink.
This year's event will welcome its first-ever K-Pop Party, bringing high-energy beats to the ice, while the hugely popular Skate Lates return with an exciting line-up of DJs and music collectives spinning tracks beneath the stars.
Expect gourmet alpine dining at The Chalet, a rink-side view Skate lounge; Skate School lessons, and food stalls serving hot chocolate, waffles and festive treats, plus seasonal shopping set against the dazzling backdrop of their iconic neoclassical courtyard.
Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA. 11 November 2026 – 10 January 2027 (closed Christmas Day). From £13/adult, £11/child
Glide at Battersea Power Station
Set against the backdrop of one of London’s most iconic buildings, this Insta-perfect rink offers stunning views of the Thames, while you skate around three interconnecting rinks and London's only riverside skate trail, surrounded by twinkling lights beneath a giant, 30ft Christmas tree.
Afterwards, you can warm up with a hot chocolate - or something stronger - at the Glass House, enjoy a spin on the vintage fairground rides or indulge in steaming hot churros.
For an extra-special treat, book one of the cosy private igloos and enjoy your own little winter hideaway.
Battersea Power Station, Nine Elms, London, SW11 8DD. 6 November - 3 January.
The Queen’s House Ice Rink, Greenwich
Glide into the festive season at one of London's most beautiful outdoor ice rinks, set against the magnificent backdrop of the Queen's House, with breathtaking views across the Thames and London skyline.
This magical open-air rink sits within the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site of Maritime Greenwich, creating a picture-perfect setting.
New for this year, the rink has doubled in size while maintaining the same capacity, giving skaters more room to glide, twirl and perfect their moves. There's also a handy skate-off pit lane for those needing a breather, plus a viewing area for spectators.
With themed skating nights, special events and inclusive sessions for younger children and SEND families, there's something for everyone.
You can even combine your skate with a visit to the Queen's House's magical Santa's Grotto or explore the nearby National Maritime Museum and Greenwich Market.
Queen's House Grounds, Romney Road, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NF. 18 November - 3 January (closed Christmas Day). From £19/adult, £16.50/child, Family tickets from £49.95
Skate Leicester Square
London's most famous square will once more be transformed into a magical open-air ice rink, surrounded by twinkling Christmas lights, festive market stalls and the buzz of the West End.
Set around the square's iconic Shakespeare statue, this beautifully designed circular rink offers a fabulous festive skating experience right in the heart of Theatreland.
Sessions last 45 minutes, with new skaters taking to the ice every 15 minutes, making it London's only rink offering such frequent session starts. You don't even have to book ahead, with walk-in tickets available alongside advance bookings.
Warm up with steaming hot chocolate, mulled wine and seasonal treats from the surrounding Christmas market stalls.
Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7LU. Until 3 January (closed Christmas Day). £15/adult, £10/child, family tickets from £42
Bluewater Ice Rink
Skate into Christmas whatever the weather at Bluewater’s festive ice rink, where twinkling lights, seasonal tunes and real ice make for a brilliant winter day out.
Tucked beneath a protective canopy outside The Village, it’s perfect for families, first-timers and anyone keen to show off their skating skills (or spectacular lack of them). Little ones can enlist the help of penguin and seal skating aids, while grown-ups can get their groove on at Friday night discos.
New for 2026 are Skate & Sing sessions, combining ice skating with music, interactive games, lip-sync battles and singalongs. Choose between family-friendly Kids Pop or nostalgic 80s and 90s themes. There are also popular Friday night disco sessions and special Skate to Donate evenings supporting local charity, ellenor.
Bluewater Ice Rink, Outside The Village, Bluewater Shopping Centre, Greenhithe, Kent, DA9 9ST. 5 November - 3 January (closed Christmas Day). From £14.50/child (12 and under) and £16.50/adult. Family tickets from £52
Lapland UK's Frozen Elf Pond
This elves' frozen pond is flanked by snow-covered Christmas trees at the heart of The Elven Village, in this extraordinary Ascot wonderland, created with blockbuster movie production quality.
The rink is surrounded by elven characters, passing huskies, an elf emporium, restaurant and Elva’s Post Office.
Children can use penguin supports as they glide around the otherworldly space, before warming up with hot chocolates and sweet treats. Afterwards, they will head deeper into the Enchanted Forest, past the famous, real reindeer and a sleeping Rudolph - illluminating the stable with his bright nose, as he snores - to the sleigh and finally, the wooden cabin of Father Christmas himself.
Lapland UK, Whitmoor Forest, Swinley Rd, Winkfield Row, Ascot SL5 8BD. Tickets from £60 - £195 pp. 7 November – 24 December 2026.
Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink
This stunning rink returns to the gardens of Henry VIII’s historic home, with beautiful views of the illuminated Tudor palace in the background as you glide around its giant Christmas tree centrepiece.
New for 2026, the rink has been extended by eight metres, with an incredible canopy of 18,000 twinkling fairy lights overhead. As dusk falls, the illuminated rink becomes an especially magical sight.
After your 45 minute session, you can head to the Rink Cafe and Bar for festive food and drinks.
You can even combine your skate with a visit to Hampton Court's enchanting Winter Palace experience or browse the artisan stalls at the Festive Fayre on selected December weekends.
Hampton Court Palace, Hampton Ct Way, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU. 21 November - 4 January. Tickets from £20.65 per adult and £15.65 per child.
Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park Rink
Skate beneath a canopy of twinkling lights at London's most spectacular festive playground.
The UK's largest open-air ice rink returns to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland this Christmas, offering a magical skating experience centred around the park's beautiful Victorian bandstand.
With a dazzling canopy of fairy lights overhead, festive music filling the air and the buzz of Winter Wonderland all around, this is ice skating on a grand scale.
Sessions last 45 minutes, with skates included in the ticket price and penguin skating aids available for little ones under one metre tall.
Make a full festive day of it with Winter Wonderland's spectacular fairground rides, Christmas markets, giant observation wheel, ice sculptures and endless tempting seasonal treats. New for 2026, visitors can also explore the Magical Ice Kingdom's enchanting Neverland theme.
Winter Wonderland, Skater's Corner, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, London, W2 2UH. 19 November - 3 January (closed Christmas Day).£12.65/adult, £9.35/child, Family tickets from £37.40
Winter Funland at Kensington Olympia
This festive indoor fairground returns to Kensington with an enormous ice rink at its heart.
Part of one of Europe's largest indoor Christmas attractions, the enormous rink is the perfect place to practise your skating skills, whatever the weather.
One ticket gives you access to three-and-a-half hours of festive entertainment, including more than 20 fairground rides, a spectacular international circus show and a host of mischievous elves and Christmas characters. There's also a festive food court serving seasonal treats, plus a Christmas-themed bar for grown-ups to enjoy a warming tipple.
Winter Funland, Olympia, Hammersmith Road, London, W14 8UX. 2026 dates to be confirmed. £37/pp, with under-threes and carers admitted free
Christmas at Warwick Castle Ice Rink
If you like history and beauty with your ice, then look no further than Warwick Castle.
The iconic building's east front transforms into a magical skating rink. During your 45 minute experience, you can glide beneath the majestic Guy’s Tower, to the sound of Christmas bangers, with the amazing backdrop of Warwick Castle, illuminated for Christmas.
Make a full festive day of it with Warwick Castle's spectacular illuminated light trail, featuring more than half a million twinkling lights across 64 acres of grounds, a magical Stories with Santa experience and a traditional Christmas market.
Warwick Castle, Warwick, Warwickshire, CV34 4QU. 21 November - 3 January. From £8/pp. Castle entry plus skating from £18
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