Ice skating at Alexandra Palace, North London

Is anyone old enough to remember the ice skating movies Slap Shot, Cutting Edge or The Mighty Ducks? *I’m old right? Those were the days!! And, who didn’t dream about dancing round the ice without a care in the world to songs like ‘we will rock you’ or ‘livin’ la vida loca’ haha!

These days we are exceptionally lucky to have the ice rink right on our doorstep! We don’t visit often enough, but when Uncle Button came to stay, it was the perfect excuse to go ice skating at Alexandra Palace! 

Ice skating at Alexandra Palace

You can’t miss Alexandra Palace! It’s set right at the top of Alexandra Park. It’s a bit of a walk up the hill, but public transport will take you to the top, and there is also a car park right outside the ice rink. Tip: Parking used to be free, but there is now a £3 charge on entry via contactless payment.

Ice skating sessions

Ice skating sessions run through the week and weekend and are either 1 hour or 1 hour and a half hours long. This is very different to what it used to be (remember when sessions used to be the whole day!?), but with children, we felt this was more than enough time to hold their interest.

Tickets prices (including skate hire if required):

£10 for adults

£9 for under 16’s 

£7 for under 5’s

£2 for spectators

Booking online is now essential! 

Skating aids

We really love the selection of skating aids that Alexandra Palace ice rink has on offer to hire during public skating sessions for holiday periods and the weekends. Make sure you book in advance as these are not usually available on the door. When you arrive, and after you’ve sorted out your skates, if you walk towards the ice you’ll see a small area near the spectators stand on the left where you can pick up your skating aid. 

Hire prices:

Seal (5 years and under) £8.50

Penguins (3 to 7 years) £6.50

Snowmen (8 years +) £7.50

We felt that the hire prices are a little on the expensive side, as this is on top of the ticket price. However, it can be the difference between a little one giving skating a go, or giving up right away. Little Button loved her Snowman skating aid, and we would definitely hire it again until she felt more steady on her feet. Tip: Lots of people use the skating aids, so don’t be put off by thinking you will look silly – you really won’t. 

Our overall thoughts

I’ve been to quite a few ice rinks in the past (as Uncle Button plays ice hockey) and actually, this is one of the cleanest and well maintained rinks we’ve been to. The ice is cut regularly and well looked after, the seating for spectators is great. Even the hire skates aren’t too bad either. We had a lovely time! The music playing was current and not too loud, and there was a lovely family atmosphere  (I’m sure the later sessions are more buzzing for the teens and upwards).

Overall it’s a gorgeous venue, and you can extend your stay by visiting the ice café for hot and cold snacks or bringing a picnic and taking in the views across London in Alexandra Park. There is also a small skate park, playground, boating lake, pitch and putt (which we’ve still not found) and GO APE! And, a little way down the hill (within short and easy walking distance) is Little Dinosaurs soft play. 

Alexandra Palace ice rink remains our top pick for ice skating and we’ll definitely be back. 

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Have you been ice skating?