Ice Skating Rink at a Tudor Palace: Hampton Court Ice Rink

Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink is the outdoor winter rink laid out in front of the Tudor palace at Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey KT8 9AU, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. The 2026–27 season opens on Friday 20 November 2026 and runs until Sunday 3 January 2027, closing only on Christmas Day. Sessions last up to 45 minutes, skate hire is included in every ticket, and adults pay from £19.50 off peak, with children aged 3 to 12 from £14.50.

The rink is set against the red-brick front of Hampton Court Palace, the royal residence on the Thames best known for Henry VIII, its chimneys, turrets and great gatehouse, which make one of the most striking backdrops of any London rink. It is operated by Icebox Live in association with Historic Royal Palaces, the charity that cares for the palace. Skating does not include entry to the palace itself, which needs a separate ticket, but members of Historic Royal Palaces receive a 15 percent discount on the rink.

Adult tickets, for ages 13 and up, cost £19.50 off peak and £21.50 at peak times. Students pay £18 off peak and £21.50 at peak times. Child tickets, for ages 3 to 12, cost £14.50 and £16. A family ticket for four people, either two adults and two children or one adult and three children, costs £59.50 off peak and £65.50 at peak times, which saves a few pounds against separate tickets. Wheelchair users pay £15, with a carer free, and groups of ten or more get reduced rates.

According to Historic Royal Palaces, the first session of the day starts at 10 am and the last at 8 pm, so there is a slot for everyone from early birds to after-work skaters. The rink also runs reduced-capacity sessions from 10 am every day, a calmer choice for nervous beginners and young families. SEND sessions for visitors with special educational needs and disabilities run at 9 am throughout the season. Every Sunday from 6 pm to 9 pm, the rink hosts its Sunday Sessions.

For grown-ups, the rink runs adult-only skate sessions with a DJ from 7 pm to 9 pm, on dates including 23 November, 30 November and 7 December. They are a popular choice for groups of friends and work outings, since the music and the lit palace front give the evening a party feel without the crowd of families. Between laps, the Skate Exchange café and bar serves mulled wine, hot toddies and themed cocktails, with coffee from Department of Coffee & Social Affairs and bakes from Deelight Bakery.

Children under three are not allowed on the ice. Children under 13 must be accompanied on the ice by an adult aged 18 or over at all times, and one adult may supervise up to five children. While skating, you may not eat, drink, smoke or use your phone or a camera. The site is fully cashless. Children's skate aids can be hired at the rink for £6 each on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early on a busy day if your child needs one.

Plan to arrive 30 to 40 minutes before your session to collect your skates and settle in. The rink is outdoors and exposed to the winter weather, so wrap up warmly and bring gloves. If you forget gloves or thick socks, the rink sells both. Since phones are not allowed on the ice, take your photos from the side before or after your session, when the palace front makes a perfect backdrop, especially as the light fades in the late afternoon.

Hampton Court railway station is a five-minute walk from the palace, across the bridge over the Thames. National Rail trains run from London Waterloo every 30 minutes, and the station is in Travelcard zone 6. There is no London Underground station at Hampton Court, so the train is the simplest way to arrive from central London. From the station, cross Hampton Court Bridge and the palace gates are directly ahead of you. The rink has no phone line; questions go to its email address, hello@hamptoncourtpalaceicerink.co.uk.

Bushy Park, the second largest of London's Royal Parks, is a 15-minute walk from the palace, and on a frosty morning its herds of deer and long avenues of trees make a beautiful walk before skating. In December, the palace holds its Festive Fayre on 4 to 6 and 11 to 13 December, with stalls inside the palace grounds. Note that the Fayre needs a separate palace ticket, so plan your day carefully if you want to combine the two.

A popular plan is to visit the palace in the morning, have lunch, then skate in the afternoon as the light softens. Book your skating session for after your palace visit, so you are not rushing through the Tudor kitchens to make your slot. If you are coming with a family, compare the family ticket with individual tickets, since one adult with three children is also covered. The off-peak prices are lower, so weekdays offer the best value.

Families will love the setting and the reduced-capacity sessions, while couples and groups of friends can book the adult-only evenings. Visitors interested in history get a winter activity in one of England's most famous palaces. The trip from central London takes longer than a visit to Somerset House or Hyde Park, but the setting is unlike any other rink in the city, and a combined day out with the palace or Bushy Park makes the journey worthwhile.

Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink, Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey KT8 9AU (London Borough of Richmond upon Thames). Email hello@hamptoncourtpalaceicerink.co.uk. Season 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, closed 25 December. First session 10 am, last 8 pm; sessions up to 45 minutes. Adults £19.50 off peak, £21.50 peak; children 3 to 12 £14.50 and £16; family of four £59.50 and £65.50. Skate hire included. Arrive 30 to 40 minutes early. Cashless. Five minutes from Hampton Court station.