There are quite a few Christmassy rinks in London but the best by far is Somerset House. They always have one of the prettiest Christmas trees, Viennese waltzes floating over the top, and the surrounding buildings are all bathed in pinks and purples making it look like a scene from a Christmas card.
Photo: somersethouse.org.ukIf you don't fancy skating yourself then you're welcome to watch your friends from the rinkside viewing platform free of charge.
Hiring a pair of ice skates
The smallest skate available is a child's size 6 (EU size 23). The largest boot size is 15 (EU size 50). Skaters are welcome to bring their own skates, but they reserve the right to refuse entry if they're not suitable.
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Skate Aids & Skate Mates
Skate Aids help you keep your balance on the ice and are available for children up to the age of 8. They are available on a first-come-first-served basis and cannot be pre-booked.
Skate Mates are actual people who accompany you onto the ice. All they do is give you assistance so you don't have an accident - they don't provide skating lessons. They cost £35 per session and should be pre-booked at least 48-hours advance.
Skate Lounge & The Chalet
Photo: somersethouse.org.ukThe Skate Lounge is located right beside the rink and gives you a great view of the action on the ice. You can enjoy everything from a cup of hot cocoa to a warming glass of mulled wine, as well as a few seasonal twists on classic cocktails.
The Chalet by Jimmy Garcia brings a taste of the Alps to Somerset House. It's open daily from 12 noon to 10 PM up to New Year's Eve (9 PM on Sundays).
The cosy, chalet-themed restaurant is situated away from the ice in the West Wing, and its alpine-inspired menu is filled with delicious food and festive tipples using the finest British ingredients.
Skate Lates with live DJs
Photo: somersethouse.org.ukParty into the evening at Skate Lates, where live DJs play contemporary music on a rink-side deck. Highlights include a three-night takeover by Rinse FM who will be playing all your favourite garage, grime and funk tunes from the last thirty years, and the DJs from Dankie Sounds - fresh from their sell-out sets in Ibiza. Jay Jay Revlon will be appearing after the New Year, bringing all the best beats to Skate Lates' closing party.
Thu 14 Nov: Rohan Rakhit; Fri 15 Nov: Saachi; Wed 20 Nov: Village Cuts; Thu 21 Nov: Bootylicious; Fri 22 Nov: Lighter Dance Kemarr; Wed 27 to Fri 29 Nov: Rinse FM; Wed 4 Dec: Kiimi; Thu 5 Dec: Dankie Sounds; Fri 6 Dec: Joey Manzi; Wed 11 Dec: Ruby Quick; Thu 12 Dec: Ladies Love Dankie; Fri 13 Dec: Sexyladymassive; Thu 2 Jan: Jinadu; Fri 3 Jan: Sasha Gigi; Thu 9 Jan: Black Pride; Fri 10 Jan: Jay Jay Revlon
If you enjoy Somerset House then you might like to visit Courtauld Gallery (you can walk there in less than 1 min)
