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The best places to ice skate in London with kids
There’s nothing which says Christmas is coming more than watching the Christmas ice rinks in London start to appear – but if you’re looking for the best places to ice skate in London with kids, how family-friendly are they all?
Having taken to the ice with my daughter and alone, there are plenty which make a fantastic festive day out in the capital – and more than a few which aren’t temporary for Christmas if you fancy ice skating in London with kids year-round.
Best of all, they’re often in the shadow of some of London’s best known landmarks, so you can combine it with a family day out, or soak up the historic buildings as you whizz (or stumble) around. Here’s my pick with the best places to ice skate with kids in London, updated for 2025.
For more of the best things to do for Christmas in London with kids, check out my top picks
Christmas ice rinks in London
Skate at Somerset House
The Somerset House ice rink is one of the longest-running Christmas ice rinks in London, and as it celebrates its 25th birthday, it’s regularly voted one of the capital’s favourite winter experiences.
Set in the grand courtyard, with a 40ft Christmas tree adding a final festive touch, there are also stalls to shop plus events and other activities taking place over the Christmas period – the whole vibe of Skate at Somerset House is full-on festive.
There are a couple of options which are perfect for kids, including Skate School with daytime courses for all levels taught by instructors from the National Ice Skating Association.
For something less formal Kids Skate Club is aimed at kids aged six to 10, on special sessions with help from the team of experienced ice marshals, including skate aids to help them stay up.
The ‘Chilled out’ skate sessions on some weekday mornings are also back, with reduced numbers, to stop kids feeling overwhelmed by older or faster skaters – ideal for neurodiverse children too.
There are also skate aids available for under-eights during normal sessions, but you can’t pre-book these. You can pre-book Skate Mates for any extra assistance for groups of 3-10. Skates are included in the session price with child’s size 6 (suitable for around three to four-year-olds) up to adult size 15.
Where is it?
In the courtyard of Somerset House – any entrance will take you to the rink. Temple tube station is closest to the river entrance, or you can walk in from the Strand
When is Somerset House ice rink open?
The rink is open from November 12 until January 11, 2026. Session times run from 11am until 9pm, with some early 9am and 10am sessions as well as 10pm Skate Lates slots.
Skate school sessions start at 8.45 on selected weekend mornings, while Kids Skate Club has two options at 8.35 or 9.15 on selected weekends.
How much is Somerset House ice rink?
Tickets are on sale from September 26. Prices are £15-28.50 for adults and £11-£15 for children aged 12 and under, plus a £2.95 transaction fee. A few walk-up tickets are usually available on the day but it’s always popular so worth prebooking to guarantee your slot.
Kids Skate Club costs £11 for kids aged six to 10 while Skate School cost £17 for children aged 8-12 (plus booking fee) for an hour-long lesson.
What else do I need to know?
Sessions last for 45 minutes and you’re asked to arrive 30 minutes beforehand, or earlier if you need to leave items in the cloakroom.
You can leave one item for free, but it then costs £2 to leave further bags in the cloakroom. No bags are allowed on the ice.
If you’re looking for ice skating in London with teens, the later sessions also have DJs playing at Skate Lates. There are various food and drink pop-ups, although most are aimed at adults (or older kids), although there’s often a van selling Hotel Chocolat hot chocolate too.
Check out these tips for the best hot chocolate in London with kids, if you’re looking to warm up after ice skating London
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland ice rink
One of the UK’s largest outdoor rinks, this London ice rink is part of the Winter Wonderland Christmas market in Hyde Park, set around the park’s Victorian bandstand with lights sparkling above the open-air ice skating rink.
For more tips on the best Christmas markets in London with kids, check out my top picks
There’s also often live music from the bandstand as you swirl and twirl (or stumble and giggle) around the ice – if you’re more the latter, there are Ice Guides which can be booked to help as you get your ice legs.
And because it’s in the heart of the Winter Wonderland attraction, there are huge numbers of other things to do during your visit to make a day of it – although you can come, skate and go home if you prefer.
Skate hire is included, with sizes from children’s size 8 up to adults size 13. There are penguin skate aids to hire for a fee but these can’t be prebooked and are available on a first-come first-served basis.
Where is it?
Winter Wonderland takes place in Hyde Park – you can enter through any gate, although the closest one to the ice rink is the Blue Gate is most convenient.
Use the handy What Three Words app to find out exactly where – the Blue Gate entrance is ///open.limit.gold which is the southern part of the park, closest to Hyde Park Corner tube.
When is Winter Wonderland ice rink open?
Winter Wonderland runs November 14 until January 1, 2026. The rink is open from 10am to 10pm every day (last session at 9pm).
How much is Winter Wonderland ice rink?
Tickets cost from £11.50 for adults and £8.50 for children, with prices varying depending whether you choose off-peak, standard or peak sessions. There are also family tickets available, while the new Arctic Adventure package costs from £43.45 including skating.
An Ice guide costs £35 (for all sessions). There’s also a transaction fee based on the value of your booking.
Entry to Winter Wonderland itself is free if you visit during an off-peak session, but otherwise it costs £5-£7.50. If you spend £25 per person on rides, attractions or other activities online in advance, your entry charge is automatically refunded. Book here.
What else do I need to know?
Sessions last for 45 minutes and skaters are asked to arrive 20 minutes beforehand.
Bags must be checked in to the cloakroom, costing £2 per item, and you can’t take cameras on the ice for safety reasons, although you can buy souvenir photos taken by Winter Wonderland’s professional with photo packages available.
You can get hot drinks at the spectator’s platform or there’s a huge array of other food and drink stalls throughout Winter Wonderland.
Ice Rink Canary Wharf
If you just can’t wait to get skating again, Ice Rink Canary Wharf is back again in October 2025 and staying open for a whopping 18 weeks once more.
As a covered ice rink, it’s a great option if the weather isn’t kind (you don’t expect to be warm when ice skating, but it’s definitely less fun in the drizzle!)
As it’s clear, you still get the fun of twinkling lights on dark nights, plus all the sparkling skyscrapers of Canary Wharf – so families have lots of chance to squeeze in plenty around the ice skating.
Where is it?
The ice rink is at Canada Square Park, within Canary Wharf shopping centre, just a few minutes from Canary Wharf tube.
Or for a more exciting journey from central London, Uber boat by Thames Clipper stops at Canary Wharf Pier (for more on the best boat tours in London with kids, check out this post)
When is the Canary Wharf ice rink open?
The rink opens on October 25, until February 22, 2026 (closed Christmas Day), so one of the few Christmas ice rinks to stick around well into the New Year.
This year, there are up to 12 sessions per day, starting at 10am, with the final session beginning at 9pm, although times to vary depending on the date.
How much is Ice Rink Canary Wharf?
Tickets cost from £13.95 for adults and teens, as well as from £13.95 for kids (aged 4-12), or a family ticket from £49.95. There’s also a booking fee of £3.95 per order, and the price includes skate hire. Peak sessions (including weekends and school holidays) cost more.
Skate buddies can also be booked for £39.95, which must be prebooked at least a week in advance. There are also due to be skating lessons on offer, which must be prebooked. Details tbc in October.
What else do I need to know?
Sessions last 45 minutes and you’re able to arrive up to 30 minutes before the start of your session. The minimum age to skate is four, and there are skates available from child size 8 up.
There are also skate aids children under 1.5m tall to hire at the venue, priced £5.95. These can’t be prebooked but you can also hire them up to 30 minutes before the start of each skate session at the box office, first come first served – there’s limited availability.
You can’t take bags on the ice, but there are lockers available priced £1 (non-refundable) for smaller bags. If you don’t have a £1 coin, you can buy a token – only Canary Wharf tokens will work in the lockers.
There are snacks and drinks, including hot chocolate, available from the Oasis Bar.
Hampton Court Palace ice rink
This glorious Tudor palace is somewhere I never tire of visiting, so I’d definitely recommend making a full day with a skating session and and exploring inside (although it’s closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and the Magic Garden play area often closes during the winter too).
Henry VIII might have had the frozen Thames to go skating on, but it’s hard to beat being able to strap on your skates as dusk falls with the palace lit up behind you, visible from the open air rink at Hampton Court Palace.
It’s also where my daughter braved ice skating for the first time so the ideal introduction to ice skating with kids in London.
See what we thought on our visit to the ice rink at Hampton Court Palace.
You can no longer book skate aids in advance here, although you can book them at the venue for £5 each first come first served and suitable only for kids under 120cm.
Skates are included with sizes from children’s size 8 up to adult size 14, with bob skates available for younger kids. You can also get bob skates for older skates which are more stable, if they’re too old for skate aids.
Where is it?
In front of Hampton Court Palace – the palace has (paid) car parks within walking distance or Hampton train station is also a couple of minutes away, with trains from Waterloo taking 30 minutes.
When is Hampton Court ice rink open?
The ice rink is open from November 21 until January 4, 2026, excluding Christmas Day. Sessions run from 10am to 9pm (last session starts at 8pm).
The 10am ‘Quiet & Calm’ sessions have reduced capacity, calmer music and static lights.
How much is Hampton Court ice rink?
Adult tickets cost from £18 (including teens aged 13 and above) and from £13.50 for children aged three to 12. There are also family tickets from £46. Book here.
Skate aids are available to hire for £6 for children under 120cm, first come first served.
What else do I need to know?
Each session lasts for up to 45 minutes, and you are asked to arrive 30-45 minutes before your session begins.
Tickets are non-refundable but are transferable, and can also be exchanged up to 48 hours before the original booking provided there’s availability – there are no refunds if you switch from peak to cheaper non-peak times.
There’s a cloakroom which costs £2 per item (card payments only). No bags are allowed on the ice. The ice rink café has hot drinks, food and a bar.
Glide at Battersea Power Station
In the shadow of London’s iconic landmarks, Glide at Battersea Power Station is back again with a new skate trail this year, in addition to the rink.
The city’s only riverside ice rink, it has been created by the people behind the Natural History Museum ice rink, and is made up of three interconnecting rinks, surrounded by twinkling lights and a 30ft Christmas tree, plus vintage funfair rides, food stalls and mulled wine to enjoy afterwards.
There are the usual festive additions off the ice too, including the Glass House bar with pizza and drinks, including hot chocolate.
There are penguin skate aids available for £6 although you can’t book in advance – it’s first come first served, Skates are included with sizes from children’s size 7 up to adult size 15, plus bob skates available for younger kids – there’s no minimum age to skate, although under-12s need to be accompanied by an adult.
And if you can’t get enough of being on the ice, there are also some extended skate sessions available, but no skating lessons.
Where is it?
Right in front of Battersea Power Station overlooking the Thames – head to Battersea Power Station tube on the Northern Line or you can also arrive by water with the Uber Boat service.
When is Battersea Power Station ice rink open?
Glide at Battersea Power Station is open from November 7 to January 4, 2026.
How much is Glide at Battersea Power Station
Tickets cost from £18.70 for adults including booking fee, £11.54 for kids aged 12 and under with family tickets from £55. Book here.
What else do I need to know?
Each session lasts for 45 minutes, and you are asked to arrive 40 minutes before your session begins (or 20 minutes before the first session of the day).
There are no refunds but you can reschedule your ticket, subject to availability, although you may need to pay extra.
There’s a cloakroom which costs £2 per small item, £4 per large item. No bags are allowed on the ice. There are a string of places to eat and drink at Battersea Power Station before and after your session, as well as the Glasshouse Bar by the rink.
Skate Leicester Square
There’s a brand new ice rink coming to Leicester Square this winter, with Skate Leicester Square opening in the heart of the West End.
The circular rink will run around the statue of Shakespeare in the heart of the square, and helps support the Angel Child Fund at The Brain Tumour Charity for an added warm glow this winter.
As well as the usual skates, you can also get double-bladed (bob) skates for younger kids.
Where is it?
Right in the middle of Leicester Square itself, minutes from Leicester Square tube (as well as Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden and walking distance from quite a lot of central London!)
When is Leicester Square ice rink open?
Skate Leicester Square is open from November 1 to January 4, 2026 (excluding Christmas Day). Sessions run from 10.15am to 9.15pm, starting every 15 minutes (times vary with a later start on off-peak weekdays).
How much is Skate Leicester Square ice rink?
Tickets cost from £9.50 for children, although most off-peak sessions start from £15.50 for adults, £11.50 for kids, while family tickets cost from £48.
There are skate aids available for a fee for younger children, first-come first-served once you arrive (can’t be prebooked).
What else do I need to know?
Each session lasts for 45 minutes, and you are asked to arrive slightly in advance of your session.
Somewhat confusingly, the site says there’s a cloakroom for a fee but also that there are no lockers or cloakroom, and that you can leave items in a boot room, it’s at your own risk. While it doesn’t say specifically if you can take bags onto the ice, most rinks don’t allow this so it’s best to assume you can’t.
There are stalls at the Leicester Square Christmas market nearby, plus a bar serving hot chocolate and other drinks and treats.
Westfield London Winter Village
TBC There’s usually a temporary ice rink at Westfield London Winter Village, including sessions for children with additional needs during its seven week run.
Previously, the 1,000 metre square rink has also been home to a 65ft Christmas tree, plus you’ll find other festive family events at Westfield, including a Meet Santa experience.
Last year, the first hourly session every day was a Quiet Hour skate, with quieter music and static lighting so it’s a great option for neurodiverse kids, as well as anyone else who would benefit from a calmer experience.
Where is it?
The open air ice rink is located in Westfield Square, Ariel Way in Shepherds Bush. The closest tube stations are Wood Lane (Circle & Hammersmith & City Line) & White City (Central Line).
When is Westfield ice rink open?
TBC. In 2024, it ran from mid November to early January, with sessions from 10am to 10.30pm (last skate 9pm).
How much is Westfield Winter Village ice rink
TBC. In 2024, tickets cost from £15 for adults, from £11 for kids aged 3-12, plus a £1.20 booking fee, with different prices for peak and off-peak sessions. Family tickets cost from £45.
Helmets were also available for free (subject to availability) and could be reserved as an add-on as part of your booking or on site, though it’s best to book in advance.
Skate aids were also available first come first served for £5 for kids under 120cm. Bob skates for older kids were also available as an alternative to skate aids.
Click here for more information or to book.
What else do I need to know?
Sessions usually last 45 minutes, and you’re asked to arrive 30-40 minutes early. Children’s skates were available for size 8 up, as well as bob skates.
No bags are allowed on the ice, so you need to leave them in the cloakroom – priced £2 per item, card payment only. Best to go skating before you go shopping…
There is a huge range of places to eat at Westfield, as well as toilets throughout the shopping centre.
The Queen’s House, Greenwich
Another of the most memorable locations on London’s ice skating scene, the ice rink at the Queen’s House in Greenwich is back again for 2025 after a year away.
With one of the best backdrops – the elegant grandeur of a former royal residence but a rather more intimate setting than Hampton Court’s grandeur – the south London open air rink has a few family-friendly bonuses if you’re looking for ice skating for kids outside central London too.
This year has a ‘skate-off pit lane’ for mid-session breaks, plus the special sessions for preschoolers are back. You can also get VIP tickets to skip some of the queues, and which includes hot chocolate.
There’s also a Santa’s Grotto at the Queen’s House if you’re looking for a full-on Christmassy day out in London with kids.
Skates are available from child size 8 to size 14, with bob skates available as well (up to shoe size 1). Optional helmet hire is also included in the price, and you can pick one up at the rink.
Where is it?
In front of the Queen’s House in Greenwich. The rink is a short walk from Greenwich DLR and train stations, as well as Greenwich Pier if you’re taking the boat from London. Cutty Sark DLR station is closed under spring 2026.
When is the Queen’s House Ice Rink open?
From November 21 to January 4, 2026, with sessions from 10am to 9pm. Parent & Mini Skater sessions run on weekdays from 2-3pm until December 11, for preschoolers aged 3+.
How much is the Queen’s House ice rink?
Tickets cost from £19 for adults, from £16.50 for kids aged 3-12 and family tickets are available priced from £49.95. Parent & Mini Skater sessions cost £15 for adult and preschooler.
VIP tickets cost from £25 for adults, £22.50 for kids and £49.95 for families including separate boot hire desk, fast lane entry to the ice, free bag check and access to the VIP pit lane including hot chocolate or other drink. Royal Museums Greenwich Members can get discounted tickets (proof of membership required).
Skate aids available to hire at the rink for £5 on a first-come, first-served basis, only for children under 120cm.
What else do I need to know
Skating sessions last up to 45 minutes, and you’re asked to arrive 30 to 40 minutes before your session to get ready.
There is a cloakroom for small items, priced £2 per item – with limited space, larger items aren’t allowed. Card payments only, the rink is cashless.
There’s food and drink available at the Zero Degrees Café, as well as toilets on site.
For ideas of more things to do in Greenwich with kids, check out my top picks
On Ice Brent Cross
A brand new addition to London’s festive scene last year, Brent Cross’s first ever ice rink – On Ice at Brent Cross is back again in north London for 2025.
Transforming the John Lewis car park at the shopping centre into a Winter Wonderland, there are also some extra festivities including a fairground and storytime with Santa at John Lewis itself.
Where is it?
The ice rink is in the John Lewis car park at Brent Cross shopping centre, London, NW4 3FP. The closest tube station is Brent Cross tube station, or there’s also free parking at the shopping centre.
When is Brent Cross ice rink open?
From October 31- January 5, 2025. Sessions take place from 10am to 8pm at weekends, 3pm to 8pm on weekdays with some different hours on Christmas Eve and around New Year.
How much is On Ice at Brent Cross ice rink
Tickets cost £15 for adults, £13 for kids, with family tickets also available at £50 – all plus a booking fee (from £1.50). You can also snap up pre-launch tickets at £12 if you book early.
Penguin skate aids are available for a fee and helmets are also available to rent on arrival. Click here for more information or to book.
What else do I need to know?
Sessions last 45 minutes, and you’re asked to arrive at least 20 minutes early. Minimum age to skate is 3 years.
There is a huge range of places to eat at Brent Cross, as well as toilets throughout the shopping centre, not to mention all the shops if you’re looking to pick up some stocking fillers.
Christmas ice rinks in London not returning for 2025
Ice at Kensington Palace
Originally intended to open in 2023, the launch of Ice at Kensington Palace was postponed to 2024 after a last-minute cancellation but never went ahead, and isn’t planned again for 2025.
Kingdom of Winter ice rink
A new indoor festive experience in 2023, Kingdom of Winter was due to return to London’s Excel conference centre in 2024 but didn’t go ahead and isn’t taking place in 2025.
Tower of London ice rink
One of the most memorable places to ice skate in London with kids, a combination of Covid and the Superbloom Jubilee celebrations meant the Tower of London ice rink was cancelled for several years in a row and organisers confirmed it wouldn’t be returning to the Tower of London moat.
Natural History Museum ice rink
A family favourite for years with the beautiful Natural History Museum building lit up behind it and a Christmas tree sparkling in the centre, the Natural History Museum ice rink is no longer a festive fixture – 2021 was the final year that you could take to the ice before it closed and there are now new gardens in its place.
If you’re planning a visit to the Natural History Museum too, check out my tips for visiting, as well as my guide to London’s museums with kids.
Other Christmas ice rinks in London
Pop-up ice rinks come and go, as the name suggests so even previously popular rinks don’t always make a return – the Eyeskate ice rink at the London Eye has not been seen for years, not has Skyline Skating at John Lewis rooftop ice rink in central London. Skylight at Tobacco Dock in Shadwell has also permanently shut.
Ice skating in London with kids year-round
The ice rink at Alexandra Palace
The Alexandra Palace ice rink is open year-round, whether you’re looking to brush up your skating before taking on the Christmas ice rinks in London or whether you’ve discovered a taste for skating at one of the temporary rinks.
And Ally Pally, as it’s better known to Londoners, has been home to an ice rink for around 30 years – the People’s Palace, to give it its first name, was opened in 1873 before a fire destroyed the original building just 16 days later.
Reopened, it continued until 1980 when a second blaze destroyed much of the palace, until it was finally reopened once again. The grounds include a boating lake, deer enclosure and park, it’s a music venue, and there are events and activities galore.
The ice rink itself hosts ice hockey and a weekend ice disco, as well as the public sessions. There are skates available from child size 6 (up to adult size 14) as well as skate aids to hire.
Where is it?
Alexandra Palace is between Muswell Hill and Wood Green in north London – the closest tube is Wood Green or you can take a train to Alexandra Palace railway station from King’s Cross.
There are also 1,200 parking spaces if you choose to drive. The ice rink is on the right hand side of the main buildings.
When is Alexandra Palace ice rink open?
Opening times may vary between term time and holidays, so it worth checking the site before you visit. It’s currently open from 11 or 11.30am, closing between 4.30pm and 5.30pm.
There are also ice skating courses including ice skating for toddlers up.
How much is Alexandra Palace ice rink?
Entrance to the ice rink costs from £11 for adults, £10 for children aged five to 15 and £8.50 for under fives (more at weekends and school holidays).
There are also skate aids for children, all priced from £7.50, including penguin skate aids for kids aged three to seven (under 120cm), and snowmen for children aged 8+ (but still under 120cm). You can also hire seal skates for kids aged five and under (to be pushed by an adult skater) for the same price.
What else do I need to know?
There is a café on the site, and Alexandra Palace also hosts a Panto on Ice during December.
Queens Skate ice skating
Queens Skate | Dine |Bowl is home – as its name suggests – to bowling as well as ice skating, and its indoor ice rink is not only the size of two football pitches, it’s also the only one in central London.
Open year-round, there are public sessions as well as courses if you want to improve your skills. The Learn to Skate lessons are for children aged five and up, and run during term-time for between four and seven weeks to teach the basics of ice skating.
Where is it?
Queens is right by Queensway tube (hence the name) or two minutes from Bayswater tube. It’s also walking distance from Notting Hill Gate tube among others.
When is Queens ice rink open?
The ice rink is open seven days a week from 10am, with different sessions on weekdays and at the weekend until late evening, as well as after school skate clubs.
However, under-18s are only allowed until 8pm in the evening after which it becomes an over-18s zone.
How much is Queens ice rink rink?
Skating at Queens ice rink costs from £12.75 for over 12s and £11.75 for under-12s if you prebook, more on the door and at weekends.
There are also special deals on Mondays and Tuesday (excluding half-terms, Christmas and Easter school holidays) with ice skating for £8 per person, all day, for all ages – must be prebooked.
Skate hire isn’t included and this costs £3 if you don’t have your own skates. These are available from kids’ size 4 (up to adult size 14) with some strap-on double-blade skates for toddlers. Penguin skate aids are also available to book.
What else do I need to know?
The rink does have a skate-up bar, the SinBin, as well as food served from midday from MeatLiquor. Realistically, it’s more likely to appeal to teens than younger kids though.
For more festive ideas of things to do in London with kids, check out this post on London’s festive light trails as well as the best things to do for Christmas in London with kids
Disclaimer: Ice skating is a huge amount of fun but it does have risks – please skate responsibly and make your own judgements on whether your kids are old enough to try themselves.
PIN FOR LATER: THE BEST PLACES TO ICE SKATE IN LONDON WITH KIDS
Images: Winter Wonderland image copyright Carolina Faruolo/Winter Wonderland, Skate at Somerset House copyright Owen Harvey, Alexandra Palace, Canary Wharf and skating girl courtesy Depositphotos, Queen’s House rink courtesy Royal Museums Greenwich. All others copyright MummyTravels
