Doing a few jumps, spins, and turns at GLIDE Ice Rink Battersea

Ellie & I recently visited GLIDE Ice Rink at Battersea Power Station. We immediately decided that this was going to be one of our top London ice rinks, maybe behind Somerset House and Hampton Court.

THE SAME TEAM THAT RAN THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM ICE RINK

IS NOW RUNNING THE GLIDE ICE RINK, BATTERSEA

The team that run the ice rink, also used to run another one of our favourite London venues: the Natural History Museum ice rink. Funny, because while that ice rink has now gone to ice rink heaven, I still vividly remember how uncomfortable the ice skating boots there were.

  

GLIDE’s boots are the same make (possibly the very same boots, I don’t know). That said, as long as you bring two very thick pairs of socks, you’ll be fine.

   

A WIDE PRICE RANGE FOR TICKETS

Depending on the time of the day and day of the week, adult tickets range from £12 to £25. Children’s tickets start from £8. Family tickets (for 2 adults, 2 children) are available from £36.

 

GLIDE ICE RINK, BATTERSEA, ALSO OFFERS AN IGLOO EXPERIENCE

You can also hire a plexiglass ‘igloo’ for up to 8 persons for £120 (off-peak) or £160 (peak). If you rock up with 7 other people during off-peak, this will equate to a mere £15 per person for the 90-minute hire period. If you are just joined by 3 friends during peak, then each of you will have to chip in with a cool £40. The igloo reservations include one free drink per person (house wine, beer, or soft drink). The booking does not include ice skating.

FIRST SESSION OF THE DAY WAS QUIET

We had booked the first session of the day on a Saturday and were pleasantly surprised how quiet it was. Nothing worse than an overcrowded ice rink where people just fall over each other left, right, and centre.

 

GLIDE ICE RINK, BATTERSEA, HAS AN UNUSUAL SHAPE FOR AN ICE RINK

Refreshingly, the rink has a slightly unusual shape. A large circle in the middle, which is overlapped by two rectangles. You end up with a shape almost a bit like a Christmas cracker or a wrapped candy. The initial marketing material called it “three connected ice rinks”, which is not how I would phrase it.

FRIENDLY STAFF

Next to the gigantic, freshly refurbished, iconic art-deco power station, the rink looks small. Once you start making your rounds on it, you realise it is pretty sizeable, bigger than, say Somerset House (by no less than one third). The staff were very friendly and even offered to take a picture of us (very different from other venues like the Hyde Park one, for example).

 

THE WHOLE AREA HAS COME TO LIFE, RECENTLY

In terms of atmosphere we had no complaints. Many years ago we used to live close to Battersea, on the other side of the river, and passed by the power station almost every day. I still regularly go running in Battersea Park next-door. In short, we love this gigantic work of brick-based art. The whole area has come to life, recently, with more and more shops and restaurants opening, people moving into the many newly-built multi-story buildings. Our favourite brand-new structure has to be Prospect Place, designed by global superstar Frank Gehry.

TAKE A STROLL AROUND THE POWER STATION, NEXT TO GLIDE ICE RINK, BATTERSEA

The Power Station itself is also great fun, even though they have only done an okay job, not a great job. There are next to no eateries and shops inside the Station that looked attractive to us. However, it’s definitely worth a stroll around, even if only for the architecture and a ride up the chimney.

We will definitely be back to GLIDE Ice Rink at Battersea Power Station next winter. 4.5 out of 5.

Looking for more London ice rinks? Check out our posts about the ones in Canary Wharf, Greenwich, Hampton Court, Shadwell, and Somerset House. Perhaps you have a taste for other fun winter activities? Feel welcome to have a look at the articles about skiing in Bad Hofgastein, Mayrhofen, and Dubai, as well as my attempt at indoor ice-climbing.

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