Frostival – to Jan 4
This pop up ice rink under the London eye promises ‘Eyeskating’ this year, with all manner of ice skating, cocktails and more. Located along the South Bank, the towering London Eye will be the backdrop to a wondrous skate – sessions run for 45 minutes meaning you have plenty of time on the ice to perfect those moves. There are also combo-ticket offers for Frostival and the London Eye meaning you can make it a Christmas Experience in the Big Smoke to remember.
When: To Jan 4 / 10am-9pm
Where: London Eye, SE1 7PB
Cost: £9.45+
Tube: Waterloo
Web: londoneye.com
Ice Skate Vauxhall at Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens – to Jan 4
The ice rink is nestled in the heart of this historic London location which has been entertaining folk – both locals and tourists alike – since the 17th century. As well as the rink itself, the Pleasure Gardens will also be hosting a Christmas Tree maze, with walls made from hundreds of Christmas trees sparkling with lights and a Christmas street food market, too. For those who like their seasonal skating accompanied by eating, there will also be the Vauxhall Skate Brunch served on a traditional Routemaster bus every weekend between 10am and 1pm Yum.
When: To Jan 4
Where: Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, SE11 5HY
Cost: £10.80
Tube: Vauxhall
Web: iceskatevauxhall.co.uk
Skate at Somerset House – to Jan 11
The eighteenth century courtyard at Somerset House is a grand and stunning environment in which to take on some festive skating. The rink itself is 900-metres square making it one of the city’s largest, and there are all manner of events and goings on to make this a visit to remember. Fortnum’s Lodge will be serving up champagne, Glad Tidings Tuesdays will be bringing a whole new level of Christmas entertainment to the rink, with Club Nights featuring leading DJs from Ministry of Sound spicing things up as well.
When: To Jan 11 / times vary
Where: Somerset House, WC2R 1LA
Cost: £7.50+
Tube: Charing Cross
Web: somersethouse.org.uk
Skate in the City – to Feb 26
Broadgate ice rink is located in the heart of the City, which makes it ideal for lunchtime escapades on the ice. There are all manner of shops and restaurants surrounding London’s longest running outdoor ice rink, as well as pop up bars too And with it being open till 10pm in the evening too so you can combine it with dinner and a drink after work, as well.
When: To Feb 26 / times vary
Where: Broadgate Ice Rink, Exchange Square, EC2A 2BQ
Cost: £12.50
Tube: Liverpool Street
Web: broadgate.co.uk
Hampton Court Palace – to Jan 4
The lavish and decidedly impressive surrounds of this Tudor palace are the setting for this fantastic ice rink. So don your gloves, woolly hat and scarf and face some bracing cold in a none-more-traditional Brit rink on the banks of the river Thames. There are a load of different time slots available but our advice is to book for one of the evening ones and take in the stately home as it is lit up under the stars.
When: Until Jan 4 / times vary
Where: Hampton Court Palace, KT8 9AU
Cost: £11.50+
Tube: Hampton Court (overground)
Web: hrp.org.uk
