London doesn’t do "subtle" when it comes to Christmas, and its ice rinks are no exception. Somerset House is the glamorous, Instagram-famous one, with the massive tree in the middle. Natural History Museum rink is the cool, science-adjacent option, perfect for pretending you’re a penguin after looking at the dinosaur bones. (Pro tip: the queues for the toilet are longer than the skate rental line.)
Then you have Hampton Court Palace, which is basically skating in a Tudor time warp. Imagine King Henry VIII grumbling about your crossovers. It’s majestic and a little bit ridiculous. And for the truly brave, there's Canary Wharf, where you can fall over while surrounded by skyscrapers. Very dramatic, very city-boss energy.
The Soundtrack of the Season
You know what makes a bad skater feel like a star? The music. Every rink blasts a mix of Mariah Carey and Wham! until your ears bleed sugar. You’ll be shuffling along, convinced you’re gliding, while "All I Want for Christmas" plays. It’s cheesy, it’s predictable, and it’s exactly what you need. The best part is when everyone collectively groans at the 100th play of "Last Christmas"—and then sings along anyway.
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Don't even get me started on the light installations. The twinkling trees and glowing tunnels are basically a free light show. You’ll forget your ankles are screaming because you’re too busy staring at the sparkly chaos. Just try not to crash into a toddler while you’re gawking.
