Many of London’s best ice rinks are silhouetted against stunning historic attractions. So why not make the most of your visit and hang up your skates to explore them?
Somerset House’s sweeping courtyard feels as though it were tailor-made for an ice rink. And what better way to wrap up the cultural destination’s 25th birthday year than with Skate at Somerset House, a dazzling daily party on the ice (12 Nov-11 Jan)?
Featuring DJ nights, chalet-style dining and drinking and a Shelter Boutique selling pre-loved clothes, all illuminated by the glow of the 12m Christmas tree, there’s plenty to do – both outside and in. At Somerset House, you can see the striking photographic portraits of pioneering Black British photographer Jennie Baptiste in Jennie Baptiste: Rhythm & Roots. A powerful look at Black British music and youth culture, the exhibition features street photography from the early ’90s alongside portraits of Roots Manuva, Ms Dynamite and Nas, with a DJ-curated soundtrack. Still got some steam? Nip over to the Courtauld Gallery in the North Wing to see vibrant still-life paintings by the American artist Wayne Thiebaud (to 18 Jan).
Another spectacular setting for a twirl on the ice (21 Nov-4 Jan), The Queen’s House in Greenwich is a marvel of 17th-century architecture by Inigo Jones. After warming up with a hot toddy at the Zero Degrees Café, head inside to see the famed Tulip Stairs, the Great Hall and iconic artworks such as the Armada portrait of Queen Elizabeth I. At the nearby National Maritime Museum, you can wonder at the glittering ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition or delve into the myths and truths of swashbuckling scoundrels at the blockbuster Pirates display – catch it before it ends on 4 January.
Soak up the regal history of another once-royal residency at Hampton Court Palace as you glide around where King Henry VIII once walked. The Palace Ice Rink (21 Nov-4 Jan) features DJ nights, ice sculpting, themed cocktails and even a skating Santa. Inside, explore Henry’s Great Hall, the vast Tudor kitchens where massive feasts would have been prepared centuries ago, and The Indian Army at the Palace exhibition, which reveals the stories of soldiers who camped here in the early 20th century (to 1 Feb).
So, why not combine a festive day out with a dose of culture? It’d be a shame not to.
