The Best Ice Skating Rinks In London
This post is part of our archived content. While we’ve shifted focus, it still may be useful.
Ice skating is a perfect all-weather activity; if it’s too hot, go skating and cool down.
If it’s cold, step inside somewhere just as cold and slip, slide and skate your way around the best skating rinks in London.
The whole family – even your sometimes surly teenager – can enjoy an ice skating session.
There are lots of laughs to be had as various family members loll around and (eventually) fall down on the ice.
A word to the wise- stay away from the very centre of the ice!
That’s where the serious/fast skaters tend to mingle.
Ice skating beginners are better off sticking to the sides!
Instead, make sure everyone has their gloves and be prepared to cling to the sides of the rink for dear life.
The good thing about ice skating is that it doesn’t take long to get the hang of it.
Before long you’ll be Torvill and Dean (showing our age) and joining the elite crew near the centre of the rink.
The new normal means you can’t attend in large groups, entry is limited and you must allow time for cleaning in between sessions.
That said, there’s still lots of fun to be had!
Keep reading for our favourite places to go ice skating in London:
Alexandra Palace Ice Rink – open all year
Probably our favourite place to go skating in London, Ally Pally ice skating rink, as it’s affectionately known, is one of London’s most famous and is set in a beautiful location, offering stunning views over the city.
As well as general family-friendly skating sessions, Alexandra Palace offers one-on-one and group ice skating lessons (from world-class professional skaters) as well as private hire for your own ice skating party.
Queens Ice Skating Rink – open all year
Queens ice rink is open every day of the year and offers general skating private lessons, classes for kids (age 5 and over), ice hockey, go-karting, curling and dancing on the ice.
You could even take things to the next level with curling, human curling.
You ride a huge rubber doughnut and propel yourself across the ice aiming for a bullseye 20m away.
Teenagers will love it.
Queensway ice rink prices start from £11 for kids under 12 years old.
Lee Valley Ice Centre – open all year
Lee Valley offers some of the best ice skating for toddlers in London.
Kids under 5 years old can enjoy a skate session on this international-sized ice rink.
Choose public skating sessions or 1:1 lessons for all abilities from toddlers to adults.
Penguin skate aids are available for the very young but check before you book as they’re not on offer every day so the kids aren’t overwhelmed with too many people on the ice.
Streatham Ice + Leisure Centre – open all year
Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre is London’s only Olympic-sized indoor rink.
It offers one on one or group lessons, dancing and figure skating clubs, skate-themed birthday party hire, hockey and more.
Younger children can use penguin skating aids on the ice to help them feel more stable on their feet.
Book them in advance as they sell out quickly, especially during term time.
As Better Extreme runs the arena, prices are reasonably low.
Prices and sessions vary according to the day of the week and in term time.
We think this is one of the best ice rinks in London.