Alexandra Palace Ice Rink
BEST FOR
Ages 3-90
ENTRY
from £2.50
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
London
What it’s like
A proper full-size ice rink where three-year-olds wobble round with penguin aids and grown-ups actually get a decent skate too.
The skating itself is the whole point here, and they've clearly thought about the different ages who turn up. Under-fives get a seal aid to hang onto, three to sevens get the penguin version, and anyone eight plus gets the snowman one, so nobody's left clinging to the barrier the whole session. There are also proper Learn to Skate lessons if you want your kid to get past the wobbling stage rather than just visiting it once a year.
Sessions run 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the day, with weekday term-time slots the longest and weekend or holiday sessions trimmed to 1.5 hours. They want you there 15 minutes early, which with skate hire and getting boots on for a three-year-old is not a bad shout. Off-peak pricing saves you a pound or so across the board, useful if you can do a weekday morning instead of a Saturday.
It's £10.50 to £12.75 to skate depending on age and time, plus a couple of pounds if you're just there to watch rather than skate, since spectator tickets are required for anyone coming in but staying off the ice. Skate aid hire is £7.50 on top, and worth knowing they're moving to first-come-first-served in-rink from spring 2026 rather than something you can guarantee booking ahead. Card only if you're buying in person, so don't turn up with cash and expect it to work.
It's fully indoor, wheelchair accessible, and there's a changing places toilet and baby change on site. Blue Badge holders park free and there are designated accessible spaces, and Wood Green underground station on the Piccadilly line gets you there in about 20 minutes from Piccadilly Circus. One thing to flag: birthday parties aren't allowed in the East Court, since the site says it disrupts other paying customers, so this isn't the venue for a party booking.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 3 to 12, with skate aids sized for toddlers up to bigger kids
- Booking
- Pre-book online advised. In-person sales card only
- Parking
- Charged parking. First 30 mins free, Blue Badge holders free
- Wheelchairs
- Limited wheelchair hire available, first come first served
- Getting there by bus or train
- Wood Green underground station (Piccadilly Line), 20 mins from Piccadilly Circus
- Off-peak pricing shaves roughly a pound off most ticket types, so check the time band before you book
- Skate aid hire is £7.50 and becomes first-come-first-served in-rink from 30 March 2026
- Card only for any tickets bought in person on the day
- There's a changing places toilet and baby change if you're bringing a little one
- Bike parking is available if you're skipping the car altogether
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£11.75 to £12.75 for adults depending on peak or off-peak, £10.50 to £11.50 for under 12s and over 65s, and £7.75 to £8.75 for under 5s. Spectators pay £2.50 to £3.
Do we need to book?
It's not required but they advise pre-booking online to avoid disappointment. In-person sales on the day are card only.
How long is a session?
Weekday term-time sessions run 2 hours except the last one, which is 1.5 hours. Weekend and holiday sessions are 1.5 hours, and the Monday 15:30 slot is just 1 hour.
Is it OK for a young child?
The minimum age listed is 3, and there's a penguin skate aid for 3 to 7 year olds plus a seal aid for under 5s to hold onto.
Can skate aids be booked ahead?
Not from 30 March 2026 onwards, they'll be first-come-first-served in the rink rather than something you can reserve in advance.
Can I come and just watch, not skate?
Yes, you'll need a spectator ticket, which is £2.50 to £3 depending on peak or off-peak time.
How early should we arrive?
About 15 minutes before your session starts, which gives you time to sort skates and boots.
Is there parking?
There's parking on site with the first 30 minutes free, and Blue Badge holders park free with designated accessible spaces in the East Court car park.
Can we get there by public transport?
Wood Green underground station on the Piccadilly line is about 20 minutes from Piccadilly Circus.
Can we book a birthday party?
Parties aren't permitted in the East Court as the site says it disrupts other paying customers.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
There's step-free access and a changing places toilet, plus a limited number of wheelchairs for hire on a first-come-first-served basis if you book ahead with Visitor Services.
Can I book a private lesson?
You'll need a separate public skating ticket booked online in advance alongside the lesson itself.
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