Around Town

Broadgate Ice Rink

Until Mar 7 2010, Broadgate Circle

A small, circular outdoor ice rink tucked away behind Liverpool Street station. The rink is available for private hire on Monday to Thursday evenings (£450 + VAT per hour), and private or group lessons are available at an extra cost. Broomball teams also use the rink. Note that Broadgate Ice Rink reserves the right to cancel or change any session time without prior notice - this also applies to the opening date as it is dependent on the weather being cold enough for the rink to be built. You have been warned! Read more

Canary Wharf Ice Rink

Until Feb 21 2010, Canada Square Park

In a spot surrounded by vertiginous towers, skaters can glide serenely across the ice, down a dram in the rinkside Moose Bar or just watch the action from the viewing gallery. The rink is located next to the new Park Pavilion which houses bars and restaurants. Group skating lessons are available for those unsteady on their blades. Read more

Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink

New

Nov 28-Jan 10 2010, Hampton Court Palace

Set in front of Henry VIII's picturesque old pad, this 900-square-metre rink has space for 250 skaters. Sessions last an hour, and the adjacent Frost Fayre café serves hot drinks to counteract exposure to the elements. Wheelchairs are welcome on the ice except during the last session of the day. Read more

ICExperience Wembley

Dec 11-Jan 3 2010, Wembley Stadium

Offering something a little bit different for skating enthusiasts, the ice track at Wembley Stadium runs right around the pitch in a 360m-long promenade for speedy sprinting or careful gliding (and there's a nursery track... Read more

Natural History Museum Ice Rink

Until Jan 17 2010, Natural History Museum

Gaze up at Alfred Waterhouse's stunning Natural History Museum from the 1,050m square outdoor ice rink, or the smaller rink for children. Spectators can take in the scene with a hot chocolate or mulled wine from the balcony café/bar overlooking the ice. See the website for wheelchair-user sessions, and note the rink is occasionally closed for private functions. Read more

Somerset House Ice Rink

Until Jan 24 2010, Somerset House

The grand eighteenth-century courtyard at Somerset House provides one of the most impressive skating backdrops in town. The skate school offers lessons for beginners and there are special sessions for families, students... Read more

Tower of London Ice Rink

Until Jan 10 2010, Tower of London

Offering a grand historical setting for seasonal skating sessions, the rink in the dry moat features views of London's ancient fortress. Ice guides are available for supervised group skating. As at fellow Historic Royal Palace Hampton Court, sessions last an hour and wheelchairs are welcome on the ice except during the last session of the day. Read more

Winter Wonderland

Until Jan 3 2010, Hyde Park

Hyde Park’s seasonal makeover takes place for the third year running in late November. We may have had reservations about the ice rink last year (it was just too narrow for us to demonstrate our prowess) but the lights of the Giant Wheel added a real touch of magic to the park at Hyde Park Corner. If you don’t mind what amounts to lane skating, there’s no minimum age for skaters but under-12s must be accompanied and the smallest skates for hire are children’s size 9 (adult skates go up to size 13). You can use your own skates as long as they’re not speed skates. Wheelchair users are welcome on the ice at all sessions apart from the 9pm to 10pm session each day. New this year is the addition of a 35-minute show from the family-friendly Zippo’s Circus, cosily accommodated in a heated big top. Each of the attractions is priced separately or there are a range of packages on offer that go some way to reducing the cost of a visit. Most people’s verdict last year amounted to ‘It was crowded and pricey but we had fun’. If you’re watching the pennies this Christmas, it’s worth noting that entry to the site is free and an after-dark stroll is surprisingly atmospheric. Read more