Winter is the perfect time to step out onto the ice and north Kent and London have some amazing rinks for skaters of all abilities and ages.
We sought out some of the best...
From November 27 to January 4
The shopping centre’s massive Glow events venue has been transformed into a Winter Wonderland with a giant ice palace, grotto and 6,000 square foot real ice rink. And it’s inside in the warm and dry.
Skating costs £11 adults at peak times and £9 off peak. Go to bluewaterwinterwonderland.co.uk
Hawley Garden Centre
Hawley Road, Dartford
Until January 4
Mayor of Dartford Avtar Sandhu opened the Dartford Garden Centre’s rink on Friday (November 14) and it will remain open until the New Year for all abilities. There will be special sessions for parents and toddlers, singles, the chance to skate with Santa and a charity evening for children’s hospice ChYps. An Apres bar serves mulled wine and hot chocolate.
Skating costs from £6.50 an hour for adults.
Go to hawleygardencentre.co.uk
Meopham's Dancing on Ice star Laura Hamilton opened the rink a few years ago
Ruxley Manor Garden Centre
Maidstone Road, Sidcup
Until January 6
Ruxley’s rink will be full of festive spirit, with music playing and Christmas lights sparkling around the 420 sq metre rink. An Ice Cafe will sell cakes and refreshments. Skating costs £9.99 at peak times of adults and £6.99 off-peak. Go to ruxley-manor.co.uk
Eyeskate at the London Eye
Until January 4
Take a spin on the ice, right below the iconic wheel in the heart of the South Bank.
Skating costs from £10.50 on the day for adults and from £9.45 for adults booked online.
Go to londoneye.com
Somerset House
The Strand, London
Until January 11
Ever-popular, the skating at Somerset House is this year sponsored by Fortnum and Mason. As well as the chance to slide around in the beautiful neoclassical courtyard, there will are club night and some pleasing food and drink to pick up after. On Tuesdays, there is live festive entertainment, yuletide treats, and late-night shopping with The Christmas Arcade turned into a pop-up Fortnum and Mason.
General skating tickets cost from £8.80. Go to somersethouse.org.uk
Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park
From November 21 until January 4
The giant Christmas attraction at Hyde Park has it all – a massive market, grotto, food and drink, fun fair, a circus and a cool ice rink.
The skating costs £10.50 adult off-peak or £14.50 adult peak. Go to hydeparkwinterwonderland.com
Canary Wharf
Until February 28
Regarded as one of the capital’s best rinks, the Canary Wharf skating zone is open until the end of February. An hour session, including skate hire, costs £14.50 for adults. Book at icerinkcanarywharf.co.uk
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