Hyde Park Ice Skating Rink From £12.65: Winter Wonderland

The Ice Rink by Priority from O2 is the centrepiece of Skater's Corner at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, London W2 2UH, and it bills itself as the UK's largest open-air ice rink. The 2026–27 event runs every day from Thursday 19 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, except Christmas Day. Skating slots run from 10 am to 9 pm, each session lasts 45 minutes, and skates are included. Advance adult tickets start at £12.65 off peak, and every visitor also needs an event entry ticket.

The rink is built around Hyde Park's Victorian bandstand and set under a canopy of twinkling lights, so the bandstand rises out of the middle of the ice like a lit island. It is the most theatrical rink in London, especially after dark, when the lights overhead and the funfair rides around Skater's Corner turn the whole area into a festival. Expect music, crowds and a lively atmosphere rather than a quiet glide, particularly on weekend evenings.

Whether you are 2 or 92, you need an entry ticket to get into Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, and the skating ticket is separate. Entry costs £1 off peak, £5.50 standard and £8.25 at peak times. New for 2026, booking fees are included in ticket prices, so the price you see is the price you pay. Book both tickets for the same date and time, and make sure your skating slot leaves time to walk from the gate to Skater's Corner.

The rink's advance price table lists adults at £12.65 off peak, £17.05 standard and £19.25 peak, and children at £9.35, £11.55 and £13.75. A family ticket costs £37.40, £46.20 or £55, and concessions £11.65, £16.05 or £18.25. Advance prices are available until 23:59 the day before your visit, so booking on the day costs more. For nervous beginners, an Ice Guide skates with you for £39.50, a useful option for a first-time skater who wants reassurance.

The event stays open until 10 pm every evening, and most days open at 10 am. On some days the gates open later: on 19 and 20 November from noon and on 1 December from 2 pm, with a full list on the tickets guide page. The rink's slots run from 10 am to 9 pm, and you choose a time when you book. Arrive at the rink 20 minutes before your session, so you have time to check in your bags and lace up.

Skating is for ages 3 and up, and every child aged 3 to 12 must be accompanied by a skating adult aged 18 or over at all times. Cameras and mobile phones are not allowed on the ice, for safety. All bags and large items must be checked into the cloakroom at £2 per item, so travel light. Penguin skate aids are available for children under 1 metre tall when wearing skates. Wear suitable warm clothing and bring a spare pair of socks.

Skates are included in the ticket and come in sizes from children's 8 to adult 13, with a limited supply of 14 and 15 for larger feet. Collect your skates as soon as you arrive, since the 45 minutes run from the start of your slot, not from the moment you step onto the ice. Leave valuables at home or keep them in a zipped pocket, since phones have to stay off the ice and bags go into the paid cloakroom.

For a bigger day out, the Arctic Adventure Package combines ice skating with the Magical Ice Kingdom, an ice-sculpture attraction, and the Real Ice Slide, from £44.50 for adults. This bundle suits families who want to see the main frozen attractions in one go. Between sessions, Bar Ice beside the rink serves drinks, and the rest of Winter Wonderland has food stalls, rides and shows, so a skate can easily become an afternoon or evening.

The rink is in Skater's Corner, closest to the South Blue Gate, which is nearest to Hyde Park Corner, Green Park and Victoria stations. Hyde Park Corner on the Piccadilly line is the quickest option, a short walk to the gate. Winter Wonderland has several gates, so check your tickets for any gate instructions. On busy evenings, leave extra time for security checks at the entrance before your skating slot.

After skating, walk through Hyde Park itself, which is beautiful on a frosty winter day, or leave by the Red Gate for Marble Arch and the shops of Oxford Street and Bond Street. Knightsbridge is a short walk from Hyde Park Corner, where the Christmas windows of the big department stores are part of the winter tradition. For something quieter, the paths along the Serpentine lake are a peaceful contrast to the busy festival, and a good place to cool down after the noise of Skater's Corner.

Groups of friends, families with older children and visitors who want the full festive experience will love it. The atmosphere is loud and busy, so it suits people who enjoy a party feel. Families with toddlers may prefer a quieter weekday morning slot, and anyone wanting calm ice should choose a smaller rink. The off-peak prices are very competitive for central London, once you add the £1 off-peak entry. An off-peak adult skate plus entry comes to £13.65, against £27.50 for the same skate at peak times with peak entry, so the date and time you choose make a big difference to the total cost of an evening at Winter Wonderland.

The Ice Rink by Priority from O2, Skater's Corner, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, London W2 2UH. Event dates 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, closed 25 December; event until 10 pm nightly. Rink slots 10 am to 9 pm, 45 minutes, arrive 20 minutes early. Advance adult tickets £12.65 off peak, £17.05 standard, £19.25 peak; children from £9.35; family from £37.40. Separate entry ticket from £1. Skates included. Ages 3 and up. Nearest: South Blue Gate, Hyde Park Corner station.