Winter is coming, and so are the pop-up ice rinks that populate the city each winter offering people opportunities to repeatedly fall over and go home with sore bums and dented pride.
Queen’s House ice skating (c) Royal Museums Greenwich
List of venues by date they are opening…
| 21st October | Canary Wharf |
| 4th November | Mayfair – Skate West End |
| 10th November | Battersea Power Station |
| 10th November | Shepherds Bush – Westfield West London |
| 11th November | Wapping – Tobacco Dock |
| 15th November | Somerset House |
| 17th November | Hampton Court Palace |
| 17th November | Hyde Park – Winter Wonderland |
| 23rd November | Greenwich – Queen’s House |
| 8th December | East London – ExCel London |
| 10th December | Finchley Road – JW3 |
And in alphabetical order…
Battersea Power Station
10th Nov 2023 to 7th Jan 2024
A large ice-rink outside the power station and next to the riverside.
Prices are all over the place, and worse also varies wildly throughout the day – bit of a mess frankly. Adults said to start at £12.50, children from £8.50 and family tickets from £39.
Canary Wharf
21st Oct 2023 to 24th Feb 2024
Large ice rink sitting above the main shopping centre and surrounded by skyscrapers. Also comes with a transparent roof so it can be skated on in poor weather.
- Adults: From £17.95
- Children: From £13.50
- Family: From £53.95
East London – ExCel London
8th Dec 2023 to 7th Jan 2024
A new indoor winter festival, Kingdom of Winter, will be inside the ExCel exhibition centre. So this is NOT outdoors.
Prices are a set price for each person depending super off-peak (£5.50), off-peak (£6.50), or peak times (£9.50).
Finchley Road – JW3
10th Dec 2023 to 7th Jan 2024
With a skating area of 200m2, this outdoor ice rink comes complete with glimmering lights, vibrant music and an electric atmosphere.
Also, the only one in London that’s open on Christmas Day.
- Adults: £15
- Children: £10
Plus £2 booking fee per order
Hampton Court Palace
17th Nov 2023 to 7th Jan 2024
Large outdoor ice-rink set up in the courtyard in front of the main palace entrance. Also open late in the evenings
- Adults: From £19
- Children: From £14
- Family: From £53
Hyde Park – Winter Wonderland
17th Nov 2023 to 1st Jan 2024
An ice rink inside the Winter Wonderland fair in Hyde Park, said to be the UK’s largest outdoor ice rink
- Adults: From £11.50
- Children: From 8.50
- Family: From £34
Note, there’s a £5 to £7.50 entry fee to Winter Wonderland, which is waived if you spend at least £25 on attractions.
Greenwich – Queen’s House
23rd Nov 2023 to 7th Jan 2024
The rink is surrounded by iconic architecture, with views of Greenwich Park to the south and the glittering lights of Canary Wharf to the north.
- Adults: From £17
- Children: From £10
- Students: From £11.90
Mayfair – Skate West End
4th Nov 2023 to 1st Jan 2024
A new ice rink in Hanover Square.
- Full Price: £12.50
- Concession: £10.50
- Family Ticket: £37
Shepherds Bush – Westfield West London
10th Nov 2023 to 7th Jan 2024
An outdoor ice rink next to the Westfield shopping centre in Shepherds Bush. Each session lasts approximately 45 minutes.
- Adults: From £16.30
- Children: From £12.30
- Family: From £44.30
Somerset House
15th Nov 2023 to 14th Jan 2024
Somerset House’s spectacular courtyard will be transformed this year into a glorious festive destination with a uniquely Swiss winter vibe courtesy of Switzerland Tourism.
- Adults: From £15
- Concessions: From £12
- Children: From £9
Wapping – Tobacco Dock
11th Nov 2023 to 31st Dec 2023
Rooftop ice rink, which is more of a bolt-on to the drinks and food bar. The tables for food and drinks can be booked in advance, but the ice skating is only bookable on the day you arrive.
One hour bottomless Prosecco & meal voucher £34.95 per person plus £15 for the ice skating.
Permanent ice rinks in London
Arsenal – Sobell Leisure Centre
—
Note: A planned ice rink at Kensington Palace has been cancelled, and the Brent Cross and the Tower of London ice rinks are not opening this year. The Natural History Museum ice rink is permanently closed and won’t reopen.
If I’ve missed any, please let me know in the comments below.
This is wonderful. Thank you!
I will be spending December in London for the first time and I love ice skating.
Much appreciated.