There’s something so wonderfully festive about whacking on a pair of skates and gliding ungracefully around an ice rink. So, despite us only doddering towards mid-August, we can still get pretty hyped about the first winter ice rink announcement of the year.
The Hampton Court Palace ice rink is one of a number of ice rinks that will be freezing up the surfaces at London landmarks over the Christmas period, and you can head there from this Friday (November 17, 2023)!
This rink is situated in the gardens of Henry VIII’s historic home, so you can glide all your troubles away with spectacular views of the Tudor palace in the background. It is also an open-air venue, meaning you’ll have London’s beautiful sky to gaze at while you skate, finished off by a delightful – and returning – 26-foot Christmas tree that acts as a centrepiece on the ice.
If you work up an appetite on the ice, the trusty Rink Café And Bar will be nearby to offer you a hearty meal. Thankfully, it’s open every day (excluding Christmas Day) to serve hungry skaters. You’ll find anything you could want for a post-skate pick-me-up, be it a mince pie to warm you up; loaded hot chocolate to make you feel festive; or a slice of homemade cake to compliment your afternoon cuppa.
Skating sessions last for up to 45 minutes between 10am and 8:45pm, and you’ll need to book in advance to secure your spot. Tickets for the rink start at £19 for adults and £14 for children.
It may be chilly out there at that time of year, but we definitely won’t receive a frosty reception from the Hampton Palace ice rink! Read all about it at the Hampton Court Palace website.
Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink will open from November 17, 2023 – January 7, 2024.
