Did you see the movie King Kong, where the great beast takes his girl to the ice-rink in Central Park and glides his huge furry ass across the lake with the grace of a fairy, and she realises that although he’s a big, moody, stinking old ape-freak, he’s actually got a heart of gold? OK so Hollywood might be a little far-fetched, but that doesn’t mean a little play on the ice won’t bring out your softer side this winter – if a crash and fall doesn’t cause your grizzly beast to emerge first.
There are plenty of movie-style settings in London if it’s gliding round rinks with your beloved you’re looking forward to, and over here at lastminute.com, we’ve put them all together for easy access. Lucky you!
First up is the Tower of London, which we recommend for beginners. Well, if you’re gonna spend the majority of your session on your bum, you might as well look up at an admirable little slice of English history while you’re at it. Not far from Tower Hill tube this might be a little touristy, but you can’t beat if for a real Londony culture treat. The café will be serving up hot drinks and snacks, but remember, don’t drink and glide, folks….
Book Tower of London skating tickets for £10 here. Or book with dinner at Pizza Express for £19.95
Now in it’s 4th year, Hampton Court Palace have got the skating thing sussed, and added to the charm of gliding arm in arm (or dragging your reluctant mate round in circles as she clings to the barrier) is the temptation of hot chocolate, warm mince pies and mulled wine. You really can’t beat the setting either – you can almost see Henry VIII whizzing round his pond in his frumpy frock and tights before lopping another wife’s head off with an ice skate. Lovely.
Book Hampton Court Palace skating tickets for £9.50 here. Or book with lunch at Pizza Express for £19.95
We love the The Greenwich Ice Rink at the Old Royal Naval College, as its landscaped gro
unds on the banks of the Thames have you thinking you’re miles away from the hustle and bustle of some of the other sites. You might not avoid the screaming kids (it’s a bit of a family spot, this one) but what’s Christmas without the children anyway? Aaaah, sniff. Check out the Queen’s House and the Greenwich Observatory, and have a cheeky snog or a festive snack from the River Views Cafe as you gaze at the beautiful lights twinkling from Canary Wharf. A real “we heart London” moment.
Book Greenwich skating tickets for £9.50 here. Or book with lunch at Pizza Express for £19.95
It might encourage topless bathers and nude dippers in the summer, but you can be sure that all wobbly bits of man and womanhood are well covered in winter at the Hampstead Heath Ice Rink. As Parliament Hill Fields opens for a six week season we can’t wait to pad ourselves up with nine jumpers and a hat and get some moves in. Oh, if you need to pad your insides too, there are plenty of scrumptious snacks, plus mulled wine (gotta love it) at the Fields Café.
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