London's Top Ten Winter Skating Venues
Open-Air Ice Rinks at London's Famous Landmarks for 2008/9 Season
Oct 24, 2008
Ice-skating is one of London's most popular Christmas outdoor activities. Open-air ice rinks at London landmarks provide exciting days out for children and adults alike.
The Christmas holidays approach and the excitement mounts as open-air ice-rinks appear at many of London's most famous landmarks. Here is a round-up of some of the ice-skating opportunities available during the Christmas holiday season and into the New Year.
Hampton Court and the Tower of London
- Hampton Court Palace, East Molesley, Surrey KT8 9AU: 28 November - 11 January 2009. The Palace provides a sumptuous backdrop with beautiful decorations showing how Christmas was celebrated in the past.
- The Tower Ice Rink, The Tower of London, London EC3N 4AB: 22 November - 22 January 2009. This rink is located in the dry moat with the massive wall of the historic medieval fortress as the backdrop.
Hampstead Heath, Hyde Park and Kew Gardens
- Hampstead Heath Ice Rink, Parliament Hill Fields, Highgate Road, London NW5 1QR: 29 November - 18 January 2009. This has always been one of London's most popular spots for ice-skating since the Victorians skated on nearby ponds and lakes150 years ago.
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park Corner, Park Lane, London, (alongside the Serpentine): 22 November - 4 January 2009. More than half a million experienced this event last year including David Beckham and his family. The festival also includes a Bungee Dome, Observation Wheel, and a very well-stocked Traditional German Christmas Market.
- Kew Gardens Ice Rink, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB: 29 November - 4 January 2009. This is another very popular Christmas festival with Christmas lights, and a 30-metre high ChristmasTree. There will also be bell ringing sessions at weekends.
Natural History Museum, Old Royal Naval College and Somerset House
- The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD: 6 November - 18 January 2009. The ice rink is located in the Museum gardens and there is a smaller rink especially for younger skaters. There will also be a carousel and a Christmas market.
- Greenwich Ice Rink, Old Royal Naval College, Cutty Sark Gardens, Greenwich SE10 9LW - The dates for the forthcoming season are still to be announced but this is always a popular venue. The ice rink is located alongside the historical buildings of the Old Royal Naval College, one of London's most famous riverside landmarks.
- Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA: 19 November - 25 January 2009. This is one of London's most glamorous settings sheltered by Somerset House and the Courtauld Gallery and more than 250,000 people are expected to skate here this season. On 18 November 2008 excited crowds watched Olympic champions, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, officially open the ice rink while Emma Watson, of Harry Potter fame, switched on the lights on a gigantic Christmas tree. Special sessions will be reserved for wheelchair users and their carers. Marshalls will be available to accompany any wheelchair users whose carers are not competent skaters. Skating lessons can also be booked.
Broadgate Circle and Canary Wharf
- Broadgate Ice Rink, Broadgate Circle, London EC2M 2QS: 15 November - 8 March 2009. Broadgate is home to the Broomball League so in addition to family skating there are also opportunities to watch matches. (Broomball is played on the ice in training shoes. Participants use brooms to sweep the ball into the goal.)
- Canary Wharf Ice Rink, Canada Square Park, Docklands: 22 November - 22 February 2009. This ice rink is located in the festively decorated Canada Square Park and is surrounded by the world-famous towers of Canary Wharf.
Skate hire is available at all the above venues and skating lessons can be arranged at most. All you need is your warm clothing. For details of skate sessions and prices go to the relevant website for each venue which can be found at View London.
The copyright of the article London's Top Ten Winter Skating Venues in Winter Sports is owned by Frances Spiegel. Permission to republish London's Top Ten Winter Skating Venues in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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