Somerset House Trust

Perfect for a romantic gesture for your partner. The skates are decent and comfortable, the rink is large and they limit the skaters so it doesn't get too crowded. Price is high, but its worth it for the scenery (highly recommend going after dark) the Christmas tree is a great touch. Plus there is a DJ knocking out good tunes for those feeling confident enough to wiggle as they go round!

Also, your legs will feel tired after, so grab a mulled wine from the adjacent bar after an watch the next lot cautiously venture out. Best mulled wine I've ever had.

Still in my opinion the prettiest ice rink in London, I have been several times this year and can now schoop my way across the ice without falling over.

It's a pricey ticket but really worth it if you only go skating once a year. Make sure you pop by Tom's Pop-Up Bar for mulled wine after. It's a £4 cup of warm yumminess.

Put your coats on, tighten your scarves around you and head out to Somerset House for a magical session of ice skating in one of the most stunning squares in London. Every winter, this beautiful 18th century setting raises an ice skating rink to the great pleasure of Londoners.

Night time is probably the most romantic time to head here, since the square is brightly lit and the Tiffany-sponsored Christmas tree glitters on the side. Booking is a must, and the sooner the better since the slots get sold out really quickly. It isn't the cheapest ice rink out there, but it is definitely the most magical and worth a visit at least once in a lifetime. And after a good bit of skating, you can always warm yourself up with a bit of mulled wine in the café.

Judging from experience the rink is open whatever the weather, so even if it is pouring, don't miss out on your slot!

A wonderful place to while away time


The galleries cover interesting art


The courtyard is joyous in the summer (the fountains are fun too) and the winter ice rink is always very popular


Ideally situated and offering lots for all you have to visit Somerset House

Hard to argue with the lovely setting. Nice romantic evening fare, though the skates are very uncomfortable.

Everyone should visit Somerset House at least once every Christmas! If you have friends that get grumpy about Christmas starting too early or being too OTT then take them here and it will cheer up the grinchiest of Grinches.
The setting is beautiful, the ice rink is a good size and the sessions are just full enough but not too packed so you can't skate.
If, like me, you resemble Bambi on ice you can hire a mini penguin (sadly its plastic) to hold onto like a shopping trolley to stay upright. They're like the ice equivalent of stabilisers on a bike but much cuter.
If you want to impress a date then I highly recommend taking them here and warming up after with a festive cocktail or a hot chocolate at the Fortnum & Masons bar.
It's not a cheap night out but a better bonding experience than a night out drinking and you'll remember it for a long time, particularly if you use one of he cute penguin aides.

This must be one of the most beautiful venues in London! I have been to several gigs here, and you just couldn't ask for a better setting. Lovely stage set up in the courtyard of what used to be the home of the Inland Revenue.
The size is just right as well and you get a good view from wherever you stand.
They seem to cater for the crowds, too. While there were 2-pint plastic beakers for the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, they served Pimms and miniature wine bottles for Grace Jones.
It's a special treat, and the cost prevents me from giving this 5 stars.
Same goes for the ice-skating!

I love going ice skating at Somerset House. It is such a beautiful setting. I don't know if it's the cold or the laughing, but my cheeks get flushed and I feel light and happy. How can you go ice skating and not feel all those things? On the weekend it does get a bit crowded, it wasn't too bad on Saturday, but I do want to go at night, I'm thinking less kids and more grown-ups. On a positive note, I did like the music they played, it always helps if the music is good, helps get you in the mood and not think so much about falling.

Now that's the fun part, the not so fun part is that it's £10.50 (more for evening and late skate) to skate for one hour and if you get to the session late you still pay the £10.50. Granted that does include skate rental but it takes about 45 minutes to work the kinks out, so you only have 15 minutes of going around the rink and not landing on your behind. I would prefer that the skate last for 90 minutes, that's plenty of time to work things out and enjoy going around spending less time kissing the ice.

As Christmas appraoches once more Somerset House plays host to one of the most beautiful and magical of all London attractions. In the centre of one of the most historic buildings in England an ice-skating rink has been set up allowing you to experience the full wonder of Christmas (before you fall flat on your arse). I came here at night with a sometime girlfriend and it was one of the more romantic experiences of my life. The air was crisp and cold, a few stars shone out through the smog of the city and the lights revealed the gorgeous features of Somerset House.

On the down side you won't be alone for this experience as Somerset House gets incredibly popular at this time of year and you will also be given a time limit of one hour. In addition prices are quite steep at around £10 a skate though if you go in a large group you can receive a discount.

Something you definitly want to do once in your life.

Lovely location for a gig - and i've been for a couple - only problem is depending what you come to see the crowds don't tend to pay that much attention - at times - during an Athelete gig which I regret to this day - it felt like being in an All Bar One courtyard where the wankers standing around were more interested in discussing their stock options than watching the (admittedley rather lame) band.
UNKLE here on the other hand were so loud it was mindblowing.
Pricey though.