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Keen to flaunt your best ice moves? There are plenty of rinks to choose from(Image: Carolina Faruolo)<\/p>\nIt’s official, we’re in the final quarter of the year and winter is heading our way whether we like it or not. But as the chilly nights set in, there’s some delight to be had in the preparations for Christmas and all of the fun activities that come along with it.<\/p>\n
For families, groups of friends or couples, one pastime might just win the prize for the most beloved: ice skating. From around November each year, open-air ice rinks<\/a> descend on the capital, decked in twinkling lights and serving up litres of warm drinks.<\/p>\n Though incredibly fun, it’s also the perfect excuse to check out landmarks like Battersea Power Station, The Queen’s House<\/a> and Hampton Court Palace. Plus, if you fall over, at least you’ll be embarrassing yourself somewhere picturesque, right?<\/p>\n Here are some of the best ice skating rinks we think you should visit before 2025 is over:<\/p>\n Skate at Leicester Square<\/strong> A new outdoor ice rink will adorn Leicester Square for the first time this Christmas<\/a>, with sparkling lights, music and activities for all ages. Organisers say skating sessions will start every 15 minutes, making it easy for everyone to hit the skid around.<\/p>\n The rink will be accompanied by a pop-up market serving warming food and drinks, as well as festive shops to add to the experience. Tickets are on sale now – get yours here<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Skate at Som<\/strong> Since 2000, Somerset House has hosted ‘Skate’ – an annual ice rink with an enormous Christmas tree – each winter, attracting over 250,000 visitors a year. Over the past few decades, it has been praised worldwide as one of London’s best winter attractions<\/a>.<\/p>\n The open-air rink signals the start of the festive period with its unrivalled backdrop for skating, DJ sets, food stalls and drinks tents, as much fun for spectators as well as skaters, all in the atmosphere of the beautifully lit 18th-century courtyard. Tickets are on sale now – get yours here<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Ice Rink Canary Wharf<\/strong> Nestled in the heart of Canary Wharf<\/a>, this ice rink transforms Canada Square Park into a winter wonderland for four months. It’s also one of the biggest in London at 875 square metres, creating plenty of space for skilled skaters and amateurs alike.<\/p>\n Visitors can enjoy a day out no matter the weather<\/a> thanks to a clear roof. Inside, the ice is illuminated by a twinkly tree, giant mirror ball and thousands of fairy lights.<\/p>\n Tickets are on sale now – get yours here<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Hampton Court Palace<\/strong> History buffs rejoice, Hampton Court Palace’s ice rink<\/a> is back again this year – and organisers say it’ll be all the more intimate. Henry VIII\u2019s former home is welcoming fewer skaters this year in favour of a more regal experience, complete with festive greenery and royalty-inspired decorations.<\/p>\n Visit on weekends to see live ice sculpting, explore a seasonal art exhibition and spot a Skating Santa. With live music, themed cocktails, DJ nights, late adult sessions and ‘Quiet & Calm’ sessions, there\u2019s something for everyone. Whether you\u2019re there for the rink or just the Bailey\u2019s Hot Chocolate, Hampton Court Palace is a great place to make cherished winter memories.<\/p>\n Tickets are on sale now – get yours here<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Hyde Park Winter Wonderland<\/strong><\/strong> Winter Wonderland has become a highlight of London’s winter calendar thanks in part to its serious ice rink – we’re talking biggest in the UK here. That, paired with Christmas music and over 100,000 glimmering lights, makes for a night to remember at Hyde Park’s iconic bandstand.<\/p>\n Plus, even more fun awaits inside with organisers pulling out all the stops, including circus shows, fairground rides, an Ice bar and free Santa grotto – find out more here<\/a>. If you\u2019re skating, under-12s must be accompanied by someone over 16 or over and the smallest hireable skates are children’s size 9. Personal skates are also allowed as long as they\u2019re not speed skates.<\/p>\n The Queen’s House Ice Rink<\/strong><\/strong> This ever-popular Queen’s House Ice Rink is returning to Greenwich<\/a> in November with more seasonal magic than ever before. Organisers have put together a brand-new Pit Lane where guests can sip a hot chocolate or mulled wine whilst taking in the surrounding UNESCO World Heritage Site – find out more<\/a>.<\/p>\n There will also be a variety of tailored skate sessions, including quiet toddler slots and weekly events for students. After building up an appetite – it is one the capital’s biggest rinks after all – post-skate snacks will be on hand at the Zero Degrees restaurant. They’ll be serving up classic wintertime warmers such as mac \u2018n\u2019 cheese and pizzas that’ll round off your quintessentially British festive outing.<\/p>\n Glide at Battersea Power Station<\/strong> This beacon of Southwest London boasts the capital’s only riverside ice rink – and first-ever ice-skating trail. Glide at Battersea Power Station<\/a> will feature not just one, but three interconnecting rinks, allowing skaters of all levels to showcase their skills with ample space and time.<\/p>\n Visitors can then unwind in the warmth of a hired igloo, or enjoy a tipple (or two) in The Glass House bar before taking a spin on a vintage carousel. Other fun additions include a helter skelter, dartboards, curling lanes, DJ sets, acoustic music and various masterclasses. If that’s not enough to get you in the festive spirit, then the 30-foot Christmas tree should hopefully do the job.<\/p>\n![\"Skate](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_GettyImages-1832494895.jpg\")
Skate Leicester Square opens on Saturday, November 1 (stock image)(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n\n
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Skate at Somerset House is just minutes from Covent Garden (Image: Gideon Mendel \/ Corbis via Getty Images)<\/p>\n\n
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The Canary Wharf ice rink is the longest-running in the city(Image: coldsnowstorm\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n\n
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Hampton Court Palace will welcome skaters to the historic grounds over six weeks(Image: Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink)<\/p>\n\n
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Why not head to one of London’s best park to get your skate on?(Image: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland)<\/p>\n\n
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The Queen’s House Ice Rink is back by popular demand after a two-year break(Image: Carousel PR)<\/p>\n\n
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Battersea is the only place to ice skate along the River Thames(Image: Carolina Faruolo)<\/p>\n\n