Natural History Museum Ice Rink: all you need to know

What to expect

The ice rink at the Natural History Museum offers a truly magical experience during London’s wintertime. The rink is found against the backdrop of the museum’s Waterhouse building, which is beautifully lit up after dark. The ice rink itself has a Christmas tree to skate around and lots of fairy lights to capture the wintry spirit.

There’s also more going on than ice skating here. When you visit the Natural History Museum Ice Rink, you can:

• Visit the Ice Rink Café Bar with a viewing platform overlooking the ice rink – with everything from mulled wine to hot chocolate with marshmallows on offer
• Head over to the Ice Rink Café Bar on Thursday evenings for ‘Acoustic Lates’ events every Thursday, showcasing emerging musical talent
• Take your toddler for a special skating session before 15:00 each day, which includes a free hot chocolate for both of you
• Go for a spin on the fairground carousel adjacent to the ice skating rink, which is open throughout the day
• Send your child to the Penguin skate club for a lesson on Saturday mornings
• Book a ‘Bubbles and skate’ session, where you’ll get a glass of prosecco and a slice of cake as well as a go on the ice rink
• Book a Scoff and Banter skate and afternoon tea package or dining package for afternoon tea or a two-course meal in Scoff and Banter Kensington before or after your skating session
• Visit the Natural History Museum itself, which is open daily until 17:50

Opening and closing times

The Natural History Museum Ice Rink is open between 25 October 2018 and 20 January 2019. The rink is open daily between 10:00 and 21:00, except Christmas Day when it’s closed.

Where is the Natural History Museum Ice Rink?

The Natural History Museum is located on Cromwell Road in South Kensington and the ice rink is in front of the building. The nearest rube station is South Kensington, although Gloucester Road and Knightsbridge are also within walking distance.

The easiest way to get there from The Athenaeum is to get on the Piccadilly Line from Hyde Park Corner to South Kensington – the journey takes 15 minutes door-to-door. Or if you like to take in London on foot, it takes around 30 minutes to walk the 1.5 mile distance from The Athenaeum to the Natural History Museum, and you can walk part of the way through Hyde Park.

Prices

Adult tickets start from £12.65, tickets for children start from £8.80 and family tickets start from £39.60 for a family of four. Parent and toddler tickets are available from about £11 for both individuals and are available until 15:00 on weekdays until 14 December. Ice skating lessons are also available for children aged between four and eight at the Penguin Skate Club, which costs £16.50 per child. All fees include the cost of skate hire too.

Skating sessions last 50 minutes and prices vary depending on the date and time you want to skate.

Additional packages are available which include a glass of bubbly, afternoon tea or a two-course meal. We recommend you book tickets online in advance to avoid disappointment on the day – although be aware booking online incurs a small transaction fee.

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