London’s outdoor ice rinks

Outdoor ice rinks have become increasingly popular in London over the last few years, opening for a month or two either side of Christmas. Many of London’s top tourist attractions have taken the opportunity to install rinks, taking advantage of some of the city’s most spectacular settings to provide a unique place to skate. Over the next few weeks the major ones in central London will open up starting this coming Monday when Broadgate rink in amongst the City of London office towers opens. Here’s a run down of where you can go to try your hand at ice skating alfresco this winter.

Broadgate Due to open November 5, its situated in the middle of the office blocks of the Broadgate centre next to Liverpool Street station, this rink is open seven days a week at various times during the day. Adults £6 per session, skate hire £2. Map

Natural History Museum The museum gives a dramatic backdrop to the 1000 sq.m rink which will be open 10am-10pm from 8 November 2007 - 20 January 2008. There’s also a Christmas Fair, Cafe Bar and a viewing platform. Adult tickets are £10.50-£12 depending on the day of the week. Map

Canary Wharf Open from 17th November 2007 - 18th February 2008 in the heart of this busy financial centre in Docklands. Tickets cost £12 adults, £7.50 children skate hire included. Map

Somerset House Located on the north bank of the River Thames next to Waterloo Bridge, Somerset House claims to have the most beautiful outdoor rink in London and when the large courtyard its in is lit up at night they might be right. It opens daily 10am-10.15pm from 21 November 2007 - 27 January 2008. They also have skate lessons for adults and kids, wheelchair sessions and special DJ nights. Somerset House is a convenient five minute walk from Covent Garden. Map

Tower of London The rink is installed in the Tower’s dry moat, probably the only time of the year visitors get down to that area. It’s open from 24 November 2007 - 13 January 2008 with sessions running from 10am-10pm. Adult tickets £12 peak, £10 off peak. Map

Kew Gardens The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew have an ice rink from 25 November 2007 - 6 January 2008. Open daily from 10am-10pm with tickets costing £11.50 peak adults, £10 off peak adults including skate hire. Map

Hyde Park Located in the southeast section of Hyde Park from 1 December 2007 - 6 January 2008 this rink is open from 10am-10pm with tickets for adults £12.50 peak, £10 off peak. Its part of Winter Wonderland that features a German Christmas Market, a Big Wheel, Tobogan Slides, Cafes, Bars, a Santa Claus and carol singers. Map

Hampton Court This former royal palace in West London has an ice rink in its grounds from 1 December 2007 - 13 January 2008. Adult tickets are £10, children £7.50 and its open daily 10am-10pm. Map

Windsor Castle Windsor’s on the western edge of London and there’s an 800 sq.m ice rink open to the public from 8 December 2007 - 6 January 2008 in Alexandra Gardens about 400 metres from the famous Windsor Castle. Tickets £9.50 adults. Map

Greenwich Located between the colonnades of the Old Royal Naval College right on the edge of the River Thames with views of Canary Wharf in one direction and Greenwich Park and the Royal Observatory in the other, definitely a beautiful spot to go skating. Open from 8 December 2007 - 13 January 2008, tickets are £9.50 adults. Map