Tower of London iceskating with kids

Beefeters on ice, crown jewels next door, long history of torture and imprisonment and a cool rinkside bar are the highlights of Tower of London ice rink! Our friends and regularcontributors Laura and David kicked off 2018 Christmas celebrations by taking their almost four year old daughter ice skating at Tower of London. And we were back in 2019 for the opening day, Tower of London iceskating with kids is such a treat ! Unlike Guy Fawkes’ experiences in here, our stays were great fun!

There’ hardly anything as winter magical in London as ice skating in the moat of the Tower of London: its fairytale ilumminated towers and walls as backdrop whilst the contemporary visionary architecture of the City is everywhere : glittery Shard, London City Hall, the Grater, 20 Fenchurch Street.

Tower of London iceskting with kids 2019

Our friends were equally ecstatic, their impressions in here. We couldn’t have picked a more beautiful location for our daughter’s second attempt at ice skating ! Freya was suitably impressed as were mummy and daddy! We arrived relatively early given it was a schoolnight and therefore early bedtime – greeted by a wonderful choir singing festive songs, including one of Freya’s favourites: the theme song from Frozen. We listened for a bit and enjoyed the beautiful lightshow reflected on the walls of the ancient towers and then made our way into the ice skating rink to get fitted with our kit.

Everyone we met was incredibly friendly and helpful given that Freya was one of the youngest ice skaters around and she was fussed over from beginning till end. Instead of getting her traditional ice skates, which were a tad big for her, we chose some parallel blades that went over her shoes and made her a lot more stable onice. She was extremely pleased to be able to stand up without too much help from mummy and daddy and took some tentative few steps without the penguin.

Once we all warmed up, she (and we) really got intothe spirit of things and was whizzing around the rink with her penguin, pushed along by either me or her daddy and demanding to go faster!

The evening passed in a blur with us enjoying the beautiful sights and lights of the City of London around us and imagining the banquets the kings must have held in the tower behind us. The contrast truly is phenomenal and if you love the Tower of London during daytime, then ice skating at the Tower really is highly recommended.

The rink itself is larger than average and in great condition and if you want to warm up afterwards or just enjoy watching other people on the ice, there is also a lovely little café serving the usual Christmas fare including yummy hot chocolate, mulled wine, gin and tonics andthe like. Freya particularly enjoyed her hot chocolate with marshmallows after almost an hour laughing, squealing and generally enjoying the ice.

Tower of London ice rink cafe 2019

If you are worried about taking your child iceskating- please don’t be! There were loads of penguins and the staff were helpful and very well trained so they will make sure little skaters are well looked after. Gliding on ice is such a lovely feeling and something you don’t forget (much like riding a bike) and such an important part of what makes Christmas special. Whilst we may not be lifting the Dancing on Ice trophy any time soon, it was an amazing experience that weare looking forward to repeating again. And even though we tried (mostly in our child free days) other iceskating rinks in London, I can say hand on heart, that ice skating at Tower of London was a truly one of a kind experience!

Tower of London iceskating with kids

Tower of London 6 years old iceskating with penguin

Tower of London Ice Rink is not going ahead in 2021 but Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink is pleased to take over once again on their iconic grounds and glorious setting. For more winter family fun in London, check our article on Christmas in London with kids. For more ice skating open all year around, head to our dedicated post on funky Queens Skate Bowl Dine and stunning Alexandra Palace Ice Rink. And for a dedicated article on Tower of London with young kids, head here.

PS: We were invited to the Press evening of Tower of London ice rink in 2018 and our friends had a blast. We were invited again in 2019 for the opening – Tower of London ice skating with kids is such a treat! Ecstatic impressions and pics entirely ours.