Skating fun at a palace
“In skating over thin ice our safety is in our speed.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson was probably right but I’m sure many would agree that we have all been metaphorically skating on thin ice anyway throughout the last eighteen months!
Given this, whether confident speed skater or a happy skating novice, it’s surely time to embrace one of South-West London’s best traditions and welcome back the scenic open-air Hampton Court ice rink for another festive season.
Rob Derry, Managing Director of Events & Event Hire at Arena, which produces the event, says emphatically of this year’s celebration: “We’ve gone all out to ensure Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink is a true celebration of winter 2021, with the continuation of the regional tradition.
After last year’s lockdown, we’re excited to be able to bring the full experience back to life.” Adhering to Gold standards of Covid-secure regulation for ice rinks, all visitors to the Palace can be reassured that only the highest safety standards have been implemented throughout the site.
It’s wonderful to see the rink return, bringing much-needed festive cheer once again to the local community. All is set against the stunning backdrop of Henry VIII’s magnificent riverside palace, which now also offers visitors the prospect of an enticing after-hours light trail entitled Palace of Stardust.
There’s the usual range of delectable delights both sweet and savoury for skater and spectator alike at the on-site café and children’s party packages have also been introduced to the rink. Pre-booking for all skating sessions is essential.
New this year are substantial discounts for key workers and students. Key workers including NHS, Emergency Services and Education employees will, with valid ID, have access to a 30% discount on tickets between 13 November – 3 December, Mon – Thurs, with the code THX2021. And over the same dates students looking for festive fun will find the rink is also offering a 20% discount with code 2021STUDENT at checkout.
Tickets: Adults/Teens from £16, children (aged between 3 and 12 years old) from £11.50, a family ticket from £46 (based on two adults and two children, or one adult and three children). Skate aids are available to hire at £5 each. Season passes (November to Jan) are also available.
Address: Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU.
Tickets now on sale: www.hamptoncourtpalaceicerink.co.uk
Excluding Christmas Day, the ice rink will be open daily until 9 January 2022 from 10 am-8.45 pm.
