You can go ice skating all year round at a number of permanent rinks in Essex and London, but there is something extra special about the temporary and seasonal ice rinks which appear around Christmas. You often have to pay a premium for these experiences though so keep an eye out for offers.
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| Wrap up warm for beautiful outdoor skating this Christmas (taken at London's Winter Wonderland) |
Locations vary on:
- how long you get on the ice (generally sessions are 45 minutes),
- how long before your session you should arrive,
- expect to not be allowed to take your bags on to the ice, but locker arrangements and costs vary,
- if you can prebook skate aids or not,
- what age children can skate from (most allow skating from age 3 or 4),
- what age adult tickets start from (between age 12 and 16 depending on the venue),
- what age children need to be supervised on and off the ice,
- number of children to adult supervision ratio,
- height of children allowed to use the skate aids,
- expect to pay a booking or transaction fee in addition to prices given.
All information is correct according to available information at time of last update (October 2025).
AD - If you want to get the most out of your session, you can also practice ice skating prior to visiting an actual ice rink. This will aid in the development of necessary skills and techniques, resulting in a more enjoyable and less frustrating experience when you finally hit the ice.
Ice Rinks In Essex This Christmas
Braintree Village
Where? At Braintree Village, Charter Way, Chapel Hill, Braintree CM77 8YH
When?
Tuesday 11th November 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026, session times vary.
Cost? Off peak/ peak.
Adults (13 and over) £15.50 / £17.50, children (3 to 12) £13.50 / £15.50 (Book before 10th November for 20% discount, toddler sessions have toddler ticket included)
Other information:
An undercover ice rink at the retail outlet.
Sessions are 45 minutes long.
They
have quiet sessions, parent and toddler sessions (under 5s) and disco
nights.
Penguin and seal skating aids and bob skates (the 2 blade skates)
are available. Aids cost £5, hire on the day first come first served, suitable for those under 1.4 metres.
Children
must be able to walk unaided. Under 8s must have an adult on the ice with
them.
The double blade skates clip over shoes, available junior size 4 to
9. Normal skates available junior size 10 to adult size 15.
They
recommend you arrive at least 20 minutes before your start time at busy times.
Free car parking,
North Car Park is the closest.
Last year you got discounts at many of the Braintree
Village shops and restaurants with a booking, not currently confirmed for this year.
More information available here.
Fairlop Ice Kingdom - NOT CONFIRMED FOR 2025
Where? Fairlop Waters Country Park, Barkingside, Essex, IG6 3HN. Parking available on a first come first served basis.
When? 29th November to 5th January (Monday/Tues only available from 19th December, closed Christmas Day).
Cost? The site is free to enter, but skating costs £10 for children, £12.50 for adults (18+) and skate aids are £6.
Other information: Visit Fairlop Waters Country Park for their ice rink. You’ll have to wrap up nice and warm for this one as it’s an open air rink and the sessions are an hour long. They also offer 30 minute skate lessons from age 5, it is wheelchair accessible and you can hire skate aids for £6 each.
Lakeside
Where? At The Christmas Destination at Lakeside, Lakeside Shopping Centre Quay, West
Thurrock Way, Grays, Essex RM20 2AD
When? 14th November 2024 to 4th January 2025,
session times vary.
Cost? Adults £19, children (15 and under) £15 plus booking fee. You can also prebook a skate aid for £8. There are £12 saver tickets Monday to Wednesday until 10th December and family tickets..
Other information:
The ice rink is undercover as part of the the Christmas Destination event which is free entry. There are also fairground rides and
refreshments. Located in the quay area near Hollywood Bowl and
Nickelodeon Adventure.
They have SEND Sessions (Thursdays 3pm) and late night disco sessions.
Skate aids available for children under 1.2m.
Prebooking of ice skating is recommended.
Children must be
3 or older. Under 14s must be accompanied on the ice by an adult.
Skates
available child size 9 to adult size 10.
Sessions are 45 minutes.
Free
car parking, car park 11 is recommended as the closest.
Bluewater Just over the river from Lakeside in Kent
When? 7th November 2025 to 4th January 2026
Cost? Children's tickets £14.50 off peak, £16.50 peak, adults are £16.50 off peak, £18.50 peak
Early bird 20% discount available on booking made before 6th November.
An undercover ice rink at the retail outlet.
Sessions are 45 minutes long.
They have quiet sessions, parent and toddler sessions (under 5s) and disco nights.
Aids cost £5, hire on the day first come first served.
Children must be able to walk unaided. Under 8s must have an adult on the ice with them.
The double blade skates clip over shoes so firm shoes/ boots required, available junior size 4 to 9. Normal skates available junior size 10 to adult size 15.
They recommend you arrive at least 20 minutes before your start time at peak times.
More information available here.
Marsh Farm
Where? Marsh Farm Road, South Woodham Ferrers, CM3 5WP. Marsh Farm have their
amazing (and expensive)
Father Christmas Experience you can read about here. Included in the entry price there is a good size (under cover) ice rink.
When?
Open 15th November to 24th December 2024, ice skating sessions are only timed if
they are very busy.
Cost? As this is part of their Father Christmas
sessions the price is £40 to £65 per person- member prices are discounted. There is no adult only entry.
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| There are a few ice rinks in Essex this winter and a wide choice of places to go ice skating in London |
Christmas Fest Essex
Where? Christmas Fest Essex, Heath Road, Billericay, Essex, CM11 1HL.
Cost? This is a whole Christmas experience which involves Christmas bauble decoration, ice skating, miniature railway, castle visit and finally a visit to meet Father Christmas and a gift. November dates are £45 per person and December dates £60 per person (under 1s free but can only observe).
There are also 2 indoor permanent ice rinks in Essex:
Riverside Chelmsford, Riverside Leisure Centre, Victoria Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1FG
In
December they have Christmas Ice Skating Sessions although I can’t see what is
different about these sessions. There are public skating sessions every day,
times vary.
Skates available in child's size 7 to adults size 14
Cost
£10.40 (or less) per person, free membership required. You can hire a penguin or
snowman skating aid for 30 minutes at a cost of £3.80.
Sapphire Ice & Leisure, 24 Western Road, Romford, RM1 3JT. Run By Everyone Active so you need to register to book. Family and public sessions are available at various times as well as lessons. Adults £12/ £11.25, Juniors £10/ £9.25.
For more festive events check out these posts:
- Where to see Father Christmas in Essex this year
- Family Friendly Christmas Events in Essex
- Light trails in Essex Updated for 2025
- Christmas tree farms in Essex
Seasonal Ice rinks in London
As there are so few ice rinks in Essex this year you might want to get the train into London and plan a day full of Christmas magic. This winter London has the following ice rinks:
Canary Wharf
Where? Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf, London E14
When? 25th October
2025 to 22nd February 2026
Cost? Adults £13.95 to £21.95, children (aged
4-12) £13.95 to £16.95 plus a booking fee of £3.95 per booking. Skate aids cost £5.95 each and can be prebooked.
Other information:
1275 square metre ice rink under a glass roof.
Tickets must be booked online
45 minute session, they recommend
you arrive 30 minutes before your session.
Children 4-12 must be
accompanied on the ice by an adult.
No children under 4
Skates available 8 (EU25) to
adults size 15 (EU52).
Skate aids available on first come first served
basis £5.95
Live music in some sessions
£1 non refundable locker for
bags
Glide at Battersea Power Station
Where? Next to Battersea Power Station, Circus Road West, Nine Elms, London,
SW8 5BN
When? 7th November 2025 to 4th January 2026, session times vary.
Cost?
Adults from £19.00, children (3 to 12) from £13 (Plus booking fee). They offer adult and toddler tickets for under 4's from £13 which includes a soft drink. A booking fee will also be added.
Other information:
Open air rink
Most skate sessions are 45 minutes,
but there are some off peak mornings where you can have extended skate
time.
Recommended to arrive 40 minutes before session
Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland
Where? Hyde Park, London. Follow the signs when you get to Winter Wonderland.
Allow plenty of time to get there as it can be very crowded.
When? Open 14th November 2025 to 1st January 2026 10am to 10pm (last session time 9pm).
Cost?
Peak/ Standard/ Off peak Adult (13+) £17.50/ £15.50/ £11.50 Child (age 3 to 12)
£12.50/ £10.50/ £8.50. Entry cost to Winter Wonderland needs to be booked in addition to skating, but if you book a package or add ons to total over £25 per person entry is included.
Other information:
Skating sessions last 45 minutes.
Arrive at
least 20 mins before sessions
Open air rink.
All bags to be left in
cloakroom at £2 per item
Skates available in child’s size 8 to adult’s
size 13 (limited supply of skate size 14/15 available).
Skate aids £5 but
can't be booked in advance (first come first served). In the past they have had “bob
skates” which fit over children’s shoes, not confirmed currently for tbc. These have 2 blades and are
easier to balance.
Read about
our visit to Winter Wonderland with young children here.
JW3 Ice Rink Not confirmed currently for 2025
Where? 341-351 Finchley Road, London, NW3 6ET
When? Open 8th December 2024 to 5th January 2025
Cost? £18/19.50 per adult, £12/14 per child (under 16) price dependent on peak/off peak dates, £5 for a
skate aid (penguin) or banana Toboggan.
Other information:
200 metre squared outdoor ice rink
Part of
Chanukah celebrations at JW3
Sessions last 45 minutes
Children under
9 must be supervised on the ice by an adult
Skate sizes are given as:
3-12 UK for adults and 10-14 UK for children.
Somerset House
Where? Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
When? 12th November 2025 to
11th January 2026, skate times vary
Cost? Adults £15 to £28.50, children (up to
age 12) £10 to £15, plus booking fee
Other information:
Open air rink, so dress appropriately for the weather.
Tickets on sale from end of September (with early access to email subscribers)
Prebook, but limited on the day tickets are released
each day when the box office opens. If any are still available at midday they
will go online.
Skate aids available for under 8s on first come
first served basis.
45 minute sessions, arrive 30 minutes before (or
earlier to use the cloakroom)
All bags and large items must be left in
the cloakroom: first item free, subsequent items £2
Skate sizes from
child size 6 which is smaller than most rinks to Adults size 15
The Queen’s House Ice Rink, Greenwich
Where? The Queens House, Romney Road, Greenwich, SE10 9NF
When? 21st November 2025 to 4th January 2026
Cost? £19/ £21.95 adults, £16.50 / £19 children. Family tickets for 4 plus people available. Plus booking fee.
Other information:
Open air rink
Skate sizes range from size J8 to size 14, bob skates available for younger skaters. Helmets also available on request.
Skate aids for children under 120cm available on first come first served basis, £5 each.
No bags allowed on ice, limited storage, cloakroom £2 an item.
Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink
Where? Hampton Court Palace, Surrey, KT9 9AU
When? Open from 21st November 2025 to 4th January 2026
Cost? Adults £18 to £21, children (3 to
12) £13.50 to £15.50.
Other information:
Outdoor rink.
Toilets are outside the rink area so make sure you go in advance.
Sessions last 45 minutes.
Recommended that you arrive 30-40 minutes before your session.
Helmets can be added to your booking free of charge.
Skate aids £6 and can be booked online.
Under 13s must be
supervised on the ice, children under 3 cannot access the rink.
There is a cloakroom for small items (previously £2 per
item), they request large bags and items are not brought.
They have bob
skates available for younger children, but availability cannot be guaranteed
Skate Leicester Square
Where? Leicester Square, WC2H 7LU
When? 1st November 2025 to 4th January 2026
Cost? Adults £14.50 to £21.50 children (age 3 to 12) £9.50 to £14.50
Other information:
There is cloakroom on site (£).
You can hire bob skates and skate aids for children.
Skate sessions are 45 minutes.
Westfield W12
Where? Westfield London W12, Westfield Square, Ariel Way, Shepherds Bush,
London, W12 7GF
When? 15th November 2025 to 5th January 2026
Cost? Adults from £15 to £18, children (3 to 12) £12 to £13. Blue light discount available.
Other information:
Sessions last approximately 45 minutes
Arrive 30-40 minutes before your session.
Skate aids can be prebooked for £5.
Bags
must be left in the cloakroom, £2 per person, cashless.
Ice skates
available from Junior size 8 to adult size 14, bob skates also available.
Permanent Ice Rinks In London
There are also indoor all year round ice rinks at Alexandra Palace, Streatham, Queens (Queensway) and Lee Valley
Tower Hill Ice Rink, Broadgate Ice Rink and the Natural History Museum Ice Rink are permanently closed. The Winter Festival at Brent Cross is tbc for 25/ 26 season.
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