Lace Up For London’s Festive Outdoor Ice Rinks
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2 days ago
Get your skates on: Christmas is coming
Whether you’re a pro glider or more of a cling-to-the-handrails kind of skater, a trip to one of London’s outdoor ice rinks is guaranteed to get you feeling festive. From Skylight’s rooftop to positively regal places to skate, here are the ones to book this winter.
London’s Best Festive Ice Skating Rinks 2025
ICE At Bussey Rooftop Bar, Peckham
The latest festive skating rink on the London scene is also the highest: ICE at Bussey Rooftop Bar, where Peckham’s Rooftop Film Club brings cinema joy throughout summer. What is usually a summery oasis will be transformed come mid-November into a festive haven with glittering lights, seasonal tunes (with a live DJ on Friday and Saturday evenings), Christmas trees and cosy decor, all backdropped by 360-degree views of London’s showstopping skyline. Beside the rink, the buzzy South London spot will be offering a heated bar with more festive vibes and plenty of on-theme tipples; think boozy hot chocolate, zesty winter spritzes, mulled wine and festive cocktails. Refuel after your showstopping skating with a stone-baked pizza, with special festive flavours on the menu.
When & Where? 17 November 2025 to 1 January 2026 at Bussey Rooftop Bar (Roof B, Bussey Building, 133 Rye Ln, London SE15 4ST).
Prices: Tickets are £9 for children and £14 for adults. Family tickets start from £35. Penguin skate aids are available for an additional £4.95. Get 15 percent off if you book before the end of October.
Skate Leicester Square
Another newbie on the 2025 skating scene is a whopper: Skate Leicester Square, the central London spot’s first ever festive skating rink, presented by Underbelly. Encircling the famous Shakespeare status, the rink will sit alongside the annual Christmas in Leicester Square activation, expect Christmas lights, a pop-up market, music and festive fun for all ages. Skate Leicester Square is also our top pick for spontaneous skaters, with new sessions starting every 15 minutes and walk-ins encouraged.
When & Where? 1 November 2025 to 4 January 2026 on Leicester Square (London WC2H 7DE). Skating will be available everyday, 10am to 10pm.
Prices: Tickets for 45 minute sessions are £14.50 for adults, £9.50 for kids and £40 for families. An optional donation will be added to each transaction in support of Angel Child Fund at The Brain Tumour Charity, a fund created by Underbelly co-founder Ed Bartlam in honour of his son Alfie, who tragically passed away from an extremely rare brain tumour in 2019 aged seven.
David Jensen
Skate At Somerset House
Each year, the neoclassical courtyard at Somerset House is transformed into a festive wonderland complete with outdoor ice skating rink and a showstopping 40 ft Christmas tree. It’s a beloved staple on London’s winter scene, with the spacious rink surrounded by picturesque grandeur and soundtracked by contemporary music. Afterwards enjoy seasonal treats thanks to the return of The Chalet by Jimmy Garcia’s signature raclette alongside Blondies Kitchen’s mince pie cookie cups. This season’s signature Skate Late DJ nights include sets from Foundation FM, NTS legend Ruf Dug, queer dance collective Sue Veneers, DJ Shortee Blitz and Studio Wayne McGregor. Plus the Skate School is back for beginners, while Shelter Boutique and HSBC UK will be hosting a pop-up store of vintage garms.
When & Where? 12 November 2025 to 11 January 2026 at Somerset House (Strand, London WC2R 1LA).
Prices: Adult tickets start from £15 and children from £10, with a one-off transaction fee of £2.95.
Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink
If a striking setting is high on your list, head to Hampton Court Palace to skate with views of Henry VIII’s historic Tudor palace. A double-layered skating rink for smoother gliding, because Hampton Court is further out of the city, it’s a much quieter festive skating spot – but we think all the more magical as a result. Little ones in need of a helping hand can pre-book skate aid helpers, and there’s something for all the family at the Orangery-inspired Ice Rink Café & Bar, which serves food platters, mince pies, hot chocolate and mulled wine.
When & Where? 21 November 2025 to 4 January 2026 at Hampton Court Palace (Hampton Court Way, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU).
Prices: Tickets start from £15.50 for children, £20.50 for adults and £62 for families.
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The Queen’s House Ice Rink
Head over to Greenwich to skate in Royal surroundings at the Queen’s House, with the return of its annual skating rink. This is another picturesque and storied spot, set amid the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the striking and historic Queen’s House. The immediate surroundings showcase gorgeous Greenwich, with glittering views of Canary Wharf to the north. Again, thanks to being further out of the city centre, this is a quieter spot, meaning you can twirl with more space. There are relaxed sessions for any less confident skaters, special sessions for little ones, plus a skate-off pit-stop for mid-session breaks and a spectator area beside the Zero Degrees Cafe. Elsewhere at The Queen’s House, Santa’s Nutcracker themed grotto will captivate little ones from 22 November to 24 December.
When & Where? 21 November 2025 to 4 January 2026 at Queen’s House (Romney Rd, London SE10 9NF).
Prices: Adult tickets start from £19, children from £16.50 and families from £49.95.
(© C Faruolo)
Glide At Battersea Power Station
The team behind the Natural History Museum rink (which had its last year in 2021) will return to the South London riverside this winter for another year of Glide at Battersea Power Station, set against the backdrop of the iconic Art Deco building. New for 2025 is a skate trail (London’s first) which seems to include As you skate under the twinkling lights, you can enjoy live music from local independent solo acts, bands and DJs while gazing at the spectacular Christmas tree. Grab a warming drink from the on-site Glasshouse Bar, or go all out and book an igloo for you and your friends, which have capacity for groups of four or eight people.
When & Where? 7 November 2025 to 4 January 2026 at Battersea Power Station (Nine Elms, London SW11 8EF).
Prices: Tickets start from £18.70 for adults or £11.54 for children.
Ice Rink Canary Wharf
The first festive skating rink to open in London each year is Canary Wharf’s enchanting spot, which has the added benefit of being covered so you can skate whatever the weather. Transforming Canada Square into a festive wonderland, the rink is even bigger this year, and visitors can expect the glow of thousands of fairy lights and a giant mirror ball, with an Offpiste Bar for those who prefer to spectate rather than skate. We’re told the 2025/26 season also comes with added refreshments; think post-skate debriefs over winter warmers.
When & Where? Everyday from 25 October 2025 to 22 February 2026 (excluding Christmas Day), 10am to 10pm, at Canada Square Park (Canada Square, London E14 5AH).
Prices: Tickets for 45 minutes of skating start from £13.95 for adults and children alike, or £49.95 for families of four.
