Hampton Court Palace
£21-£23; child £16-£17.50
London boasts some impressive backdrops to its ice rinks, but few are as steeped in history as Hampton Court Palace. As you slip and slide around the ice surrounding a giant Christmas tree, you can gaze up at Henry VIII’s sixteenth-century pad and wonder what he’d make of all this, or just keep your eye out for any of the palace’s rumoured ghosts. Even better, this rink is next to the Thames, so you can pretend you’re gliding down the river as you skate.
For 2026, the magic's dialling up a notch with the addition of a canopy of 18,000 twinkling fairy lights, skating Santa, live ice sculpting, and DJs throughout the season on a newly enlarged rink. Head to the café after to warm up with hot chocolate, mulled wine and mince pies.
Opening times: 9am-9pm
Price: £21-£23; child £16-£17.50
