Best UK Christmas Ice Skating Rinks Winter 2025
Image Credit: noorda
Visiting an Christmas ice skating rink is fast becoming part of the Christmas festivities - the popularity of Christmas skating just seems to keep growing every year.
This winter there are more temporary Christmas ice rinks than ever. You can skate next to some of the UK's most historic buildings, glide by an iconic landmark, salchow in a shopping centre or even pivot by a Pavillion.
But many if these pop up ice skating rinks offer much, much more than just ice. They offer lots of other fun things to go with the skating - many of the outdoor ice rinks include a Christmas Market as well as cafes, bars and restaurants.
You can warm up after your session on the ice with a snack, a meal, a hot drink or maybe something stronger...
Here are the best festive skating rinks around the UK. There is bound to be one of these temporary skating rinks near you. So wrap up warm and get your skates on!
Just remember that most rinks will be closed on Christmas Day
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Christmas Ice Rinks In England 2025
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
- Skate Manchester
Get your skates on and head down to Manchester Cathedral Gardens which hosts Skate Manchester. Glide through the ice path and admire the glorious Christmas tree right on the rink.
The covered ice rink allows you to enjoy your skating experience whatever the weather, so you can skate without the (distinct) possibility of getting soaked!
It opens on 25 October 2025 in time for Half Term and runs until 4 January 2026
- Winter Funland Birmingham
- Glide at Battersea Power Station London
- The Royal Pavillion Brighton Ice Rink East Sussex
- Canary Wharf London
- Bath on Ice
- Warwick Castle, Warwickshire
- Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink Derby
- Somerset House London
- Parker's Piece Cambridge
- Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland York
- The Eden Project Cornwall
- Ice Skating in Calverley Grounds Royal Tunbridge Wells Kent
- Reading Winter Wonderland
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland boasts the UK’s largest outdoor ice rink in the heart of London’s Hyde Park, set under a picturesque canopy of twinkly lights and built around the iconic Victorian bandstand.
From thrilling rides and immersive icy attractions to carnival games and enchanting shows, accompanied by a cornucopia of festive food and drink to feast on, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Winter Funland Birmingham can be found at Birmingham's NEC and includes funfair rides, traditional carousels, helter skelters, a circus show, Santa's Grotto. Plus there are some more adventurous rides than at the sister site im Manchester. and plenty of places to get food and drinks - and not forgetting the ever popular Dodgems.
The is ice skating rink of course, with Penguin skate aids for younger kids and skate instructors are around to advise. It runs from 6th December 2025 – 3rd January 2026.
Glide at Battersea Power Station is returning for 2025 after it's successful visit for the last three years.
At this iconic London building you can enjoy unrivalled views of the Thames as you glide around three interconnecting rinks surrounded by twinkling lights and a spectacular 30ft Christmas tree.
When you've finished skating you can watch live entertainment, hop on a vintage funfair ride, enjoy a mulled wine or grab something to eat at The Glass House.
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The Royal Pavilion Ice Rink once again hosts it's popular Ice Rink for 2025 with opening date still to be announced at time of writing.
Held in the grounds of Brighton's magnificent pavillion, Penguin Skate Aids are available for kids under 1.3m and skate hire is included.
Romantic and child-friendly, when you have finished skating you can visit the rinkside Bar & Kitchen for beautiful food and drinks whether you want a snack, lunch or dinner. This year powered entirely by Green Energy so it is better for the environment too.
Canary Wharf Ice Rink is back again in it's fabulous Canada Square Park location for 2025 with opening date to be announced. Surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants, Canary Wharf Ice Rink is a unique skating experience, surrounded by stunning architecture and enchanting greenery.
Skate hire is included, and early birds who arrive for the first session of the day can skate at a discounted price.
Head down to Royal Pavilion, Royal Victoria Park for Bath on Ice. Non-skaters can play Glow Golf or visit the Moguls bar which will be serving delicious food, spicy mulled wine and hot chocolate.
New for Christmas 2025 is the magic of our Christmas Tree Maze, a cosy labyrinth of twinkling evergreens.
With wintery music, a cosy bar, and seasonal drinks, you can enjoy this outdoor rink day or night. It's opening in November 2025.
As part of Christmas at the Castle, the castle's majestic east front transforms into a magical skating rink for the ultimate festive experience on the ice.
Glide around underneath the majestic Guy’s Tower and as you skate, you can enjoy the sound of your favourite Christmas classics.
It's open from 22nd November 2025 to 4th January 2025
Right in the centre of Derby is the Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink where you can skate in a covered real ice rink with views of the river, Museum of Making and Cathedral. Sitting and standing skate aids are available.
So join in the Festive Derby fun by relaxing amongst the twinkling lights and listening to the festive playlist. and afterwards you can grab a hot chocolate or a mulled wine.
Somerset House Ice Rink lets you skate beneath the stars as Somerset House ice rink returns in November 2025.
Skate, London's premier winter experience returns to Somerset House this winter, welcoming visitors for an unparalleled skating experience in the heart of the capital, against the magical backdrop of our iconic courtyard.
The North Pole at Parker's Piece is a contemporary ice rink on Parker's Piece in the centre of Cambridge, with a clear polygon roof and surrounded by bars and stalls.
This year they are taking festive fun to a whole new level. If you need to warm up, head to the heated stretch tent and enjoy classic games like free to play shuffleboard and table football.
York Ice Rink - The Ice Factor returns this year to York Designer Outlet. The ice rink is just the centre piece of Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland surrounded by a festive market and traditional fair rides.
With its 975 sq m of real ice and 30ft high sparkling Christmas tree as its centrepiece, the rink is Yorkshire's largest outdoor ice rink and there is a bar and cafe where you can warm up after you have skated.
The Eden Project's Christmas ice skating rink is the only indoor rink in Cornwall and returns to the magnificent location next to the biomes in Cornwall this year, opening on 19th October and running until 23rd February 2025 - so you can skate right up to Febrary Half Term!
There are a range of sessions for different standards of skater including parent and toddlers, junior sessions and school groups, so start badgering the head teacher now!
They also allow wheelchair users on the ice, children's skating aids are available for hire, and you can book a course of skating lessons too!
Tunbridge Wells Ice Rink this year returns to Calvery Grounds next to the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells.
Skate in an open-air real ice rink with a bar & cafe where you can warm up and refuel after a skating.
There is a programme of events at this ice rink including music, story telling and Christmas wreath-making workshops. Opens 5th December 2025 and runs until 4th January 2026.
Reading Winter Wonderland can be found at Hills Meadow in Reading. As well as a covered ice rink you can visit the Apres Ski bar, Santa’s grotto and try a wide variety of festive food and drinks to keep you full of festive joy.
Plus there is a fairground for all the family and The Bavarian Slide - an exciting slide where you ride down in a rubber ring!
Get down there from Saturday 8th November 2025 - Sunday 4th January 2025.
Christmas Ice Rinks In Scotland 2025
- Edinburgh’s Christmas
Edinburgh’s Christmas transforms the beautiful city centre with festive fun for all the family, including traditional Christmas Markets, funfair rides, spectacular live outdoor events, delicious food and drink, plus so much more.
And of course the ice skating ring which can be found at Edinburgh’s famous George Street on a magnificent alpine ice rink. Skating aid penguins are available for younger children at an additional cost.
The skating runs from 20th Nov 2025 to 4th Jan 2026.
Christmas Ice Rinks In Wales 2025
- The Great SKATE at ICC Wales
Newport South Wales is the home of The Great SKATE, and indoor, synthetic ice rink which returns for Christmas 2025. Then you can eat, drink and be merry at the festive food and drink stalls.
Journey through magical illuminated light tunnels and falling ‘snow’. Whether you’re a seasoned skater or beginner, this is an experience you won’t want to miss!
Looking for the perfect gift? Visit the Christmas gift stalls which will have a wide variety of unique and festive items.
Christmas Ice Rinks In Northern Ireland 2025
There are no Christmas Ice Rinks listed for Northern Ireland at present. If you know of one near you, let us know!
Last updated 7th September 2025