London ice rinks map: Where is the best place to go skating this Christmas? From Somerset House to Canary Wharf
Some people might want to get their toes as close to the chestnut-roasting fire as they can, if you can slurp down a couple of glasses of mulled wine and get your skates on, why not?
London has more than a few rinks to tempt you with – here's our round up of seven of the best.
CANARY WHARF
Canary Wharf was one of the first, and it launched its 1100 sq metre rink with quite some fanfare. But if you missed the big opening, don't worry – Trip Advisor says “it's easily the best ice rink in London”.
Price: £14.50 adult (13 yrs and over), children £9.50, concessions £12
Opening times: Monday to Friday 11am-11pm, Saturday 10am-11pm, Sundays and Bank Holidays 10am-10pm
BROADGATE
Broadgate opened yesterday but it is easily the latest to shut – running until February 26, which means you could even get a Valentine's Day trip in.
Price: £12.50 adults aged 13 and up, £8.50 for children
Opening times: 10am to 10pm
TOWER OF LONDON
Down on the river, and City A.M's nearest rink, the Tower of London is following up the success of the Remembrance Day poppies with an ice rink that is, according to Time Out, “one of the most atmospheric rinks in the city”. It opened on Monday and runs until January 5.
Price: £13-£11.50 adults, £9-£8.50 children.
Opening times: 10am to 10pm
SOMERSET HOUSE
For those working more centrally, Somerset House is back with its Fortnum & Mason sponsored offering, which runs until January 11. With its club night, cocktails and fondue, it is – according to the Sunday Times – “the coolest rink of all” – though it is on the smaller side.
Price: £12.25 (inc fees) adult, £8.80 children aged 12 and under, £10.50 students
Opening times: 8:45am to 11:30pm.
WINTER WONDERLAND, HYDE PARK
Instead of shopping 'til you drop, those near Hyde Park could head to the Winter Wonderland, whose Lycamobile Ice Rink boasts more than 100,000 lights. While you're there you could also take in the Magical Ice Kingdom or Giant Wheel.
Price: £14.50-£10.50 for adults/teens, £9.50-£8.50 for children, £13.50 to £9.50 concessions
Opening times: 10am to 10pm
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, SOUTH KENSINGTON
For West Londoners, the Natural History Museum is a classic. Open since October 30 (when if you remember, it was unseasonably warm) the 1,000 sq metre NHM ice rink is also one of the first to close – your last chance will be January 4.
Price: £12.65 inc fees for adults, £8.80 for children 12 and under, £9.90 for students
Opening times: 10am to 11pm.
ALEXANDRA PALACE
Like your skating but not so keen on the London rain? Alexandra Palace – Ally Pally to its friends – has an indoor ice rink and it's cheap as chips (though we couldn't find how long it's open until).
Price: £8 – £9.40 adults, £7 juniors
Check out the map below to see which is closest to you.