Whether you are Torvill or Bambi, there's fun to be had on the ice this winter. As Christmas approaches and outdoor skating rinks begin to pop up, we round up the best around central London as well as south London, north Kent and north Surrey.
Ruxley Manor Garden Centre, Sidcup, until January 5
Ruxley’s covered rink is 471 metres square and has an adjoining Ice Café open til 7.30pm. As well as skate hire, there’s also frames, penguin skate aids, banana double skate aids and bob-skates that fit over shoes for little ones. Under 10s should be accompanied at all times. Tickets cost from £2.99 adults. Go to ruxley-manor.co.uk
Bluewater, Greenhithe, from November 26 to January 3
The shopping centre’s massive Winter Wonderland includes Santa’s Grotto and a giant snow slide but the highlight is the 6,000 square foot indoor ice rink. Anyone over four years old can skate but under sevens should be accompanied. This year you can get lessons too. Tickets cost from £9 adults. Go to bluewaterwinterwonderland.co.uk
Canary Wharf, Canada Square Park, until February 27
The ever-popular rink at Canary Wharf has the capital’s only skate path which takes skaters on a trail of fairy lit trees beneath the skyscrapers. As well as the rink, there’s a heated viewing terrace and restaurant and bar. Adult skating costs £14.95. Go to icerinkcanarywharf.co.uk
Reigate on Ice at Priory Park from December 3 to January 3
The Reigate rink is handily under cover in a big marquee. Festive music and Christmas grub will help get you in the mood. Children aged over three can skate, there are aids, and under 12s must be accompanied. It costs £12 adults. Go to reigateonice.co.uk
Somerset House, The Strand, from November 18 to January 10
One of the most picturesque ice rinks around, this is a memorable place to skate and after dark hosts club nights on the rink and even a one-off Jazz Skate with London Jazz Festival. Sponsored by Fortnum and Mason, there’s indulgent food and drink for afters and special packages, such as champagne and chocolate, which make it perfect for a date. There’s also a pop-up arcade for picking up some Christmas treats. Skating costs from £7.50. Go to somersethouse.org.uk
Natural History Museum, Kensington, until January 3
Skaters in the gorgeous surroundings outside the Natural History Museum is one of the defining sights of Christmas in London. The rink is accompanied by a café-bar which gives a bird’s eye view of the skating while offers include the cream tea skate, the champagne skate and the Penguin Kids’ Club. It costs from £12.65 adults. Children under 12 must be accompanied. Go to nhm.ac.uk
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland from November 20 to January 3
If there’s one place to go in London, it’s Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park, and the crowds suggest everyone else knows it too. It’s a packed paradise of market stalls, mulled wine smells, circus shows and, of course, an ice rink. Skating is open from 10am to 10pm, set around a Victorian bandstand and illuminated by more than 100,000 lights. Children under 12 must be accompanied. Tickets cost from £10.50 adults. Go to hydeparkwinterwonderland.com
Tower of London Ice Rink, from November 20 to January 3
Another in a long list of iconic buildings you can skate in front of, the Tower’s ice rink also has a café catered by Pie Man and costs from £12 adults. Three to seven year olds must be accompanied. Go to toweroflondonicerink.com
Eyeskate at the London Eye, Southbank, from November 14 to January 3
The big wheel’s Frostival centrepiece is the Eyeskate rink which is back and bigger than ever. It’s free for a limited time for children and costs from £9.45 for adults. Go to londoneye.com/frostival
Westfield London, Shepherds Bush from November 19 to January 3
Do some shopping, have a skate – why not? Another massive shopping centre packing an ice rink for winter (see also Bluewater), this one is suitable for over fours and children up to seven must be accompanied. There’s a limited number of penguins and seals to help children. Skating costs from £10 adults. Go to uk.westfield.com
Royal Tunbridge Wells at Christmas in Calverly Grounds, from November 20 to January 3
A little way into Kent, Tunbridge Wells goes big on Christmas. Part of this includes its own ice rink which is back, bigger and better, for a fifth year. The council-sponsored attraction is 35 by 20 metres and Santa will be nearby in his log cabin (on certain dates). It costs from £9.50 adults. Go to tunbridgewellsatchristmas.com
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Hampton Court Palace from November 20 to January 3
The palace celebrates 500 years this year so see off its birthday in style by skating outside the beautiful red brick building. There’s a café on site by Pie Man Catering and skating costs from £11.50 adults. Three to seven year olds must be accompanied. Go to thehamptoncourticerink.co.uk
Spectrum, Guildford
You’ll have to travel further into Surrey but you’ll find one of only two permanent ice rinks on our list. It’s Olympic sized and predictably well set-up for all abilities right up to serious Torvill and Dean stuff. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights Spectrum as its Ice Xtreme and 2Xtreme disco nights. Skating costs from £5.60 adults but, unlike the others on the list, that doesn’t include skate hire (which is another £2). Go to guildfordspectrum.co.uk
Richmond Rink at Strawberry Hill House, from December 5 to January 24
Richmond Rink, famous as a training ground for Torvill and Dean, may have closed in 1992 but the people of Richmond can skate again on this temporary rink in from of Walpole’s Gothic fairytale castle. Alongside it is an exhibition about the historic rink. Skating costs from £12 adults and there’s an after school offer for children. Under 12s must be accompanied by an adult. Go to richmondrink.com
Streatham Ice Rink, Streatham
There has been skating in Streatham for more than 80 years and these days the town boasts a full Olympic sized surface with close to 1,000 seats for spectators and lots of classes and activities for all ages – from hockey to figure skating, birthday parties and discos. Sessions cost from £7.20 adults, plus £2 skate hire. Go to better.org.uk
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