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Skate at Somerset House. Photo by Owen Harvey

Skate Times, Tickets & FAQs

Times

Public on-sale is 10am on Fri 26 Sep.

Session Times

9 –9.45am* / 10 –10.45am* / 11–11.45am / 12.00 –12.45pm / 1–1.45pm / 2–2.45pm / 3 –3.45pm /4–4.45pm / 5–5.45pm / 6–6.45pm / 7–7.45pm / 8–8.45pm / 9–9.45pm / 10–10.45*

*on selected dates only.

Seasonal Session Times

Wed 24 Dec, sessions start at 9am, last session starts at 5pm
Thu 25 Dec, CLOSED
Fri 26 Dec, sessions start at 12pm, last session starts at 10pm
27–30 Dec, sessions start at 09.00 last session starts at 22.00
Tue 31 Dec, sessions start at 9am, last session starts at 4pm
Wed 01 Jan, sessions start at 12pm, last session starts at 9pm

Opening Hours

On-site Box Office

12–6pm, 7–10 Nov

11 Nov: 12–4pm
(Please note that between 711 November the Box Office is for advance booking only. Skate opens to the public on Wednesday 12 November).

12 Nov – 11 Jan

The Box Office opens 30 minutes before the first session.

On Skate School mornings, the box office opens at 8am.

On Late Evening sessions/ Skate Lates the box office closes 15 minutes after the last session of the day begins.

Seasonal Openings

Wed 24 Dec; Early closure at 5.15pm

Thu 25 Dec: Closed

Fri 26 Dec: Late opening at 11.30am

Tue 31 Dec: Early closure at 4.15pm

Wed 1 Jan: Late opening at 11.30am

Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Skate

Open daily from 12 Nov 2025 until 11 Jan 2026
Open 30 minutes prior to the first skating session, closes 30 mins after the end of the last skating session

The Chalet by Jimmy Garcia

Open daily from 13 Nov until 31 Dec 2025

Mon–Sat 12–10pm

Sun 12–9pm

Seasonal Openings

Wed 24 Dec, 125.30p

Thu 25 Dec, CLOSED

Fri 26 Dec, 129pm

Wed 31 Dec, 125pm

Shelter Boutique

For those in search of a gift, or a treat for themselves, Shelter Boutique brought to you by HSBC UK, will be hosting a pop-up store on-site from 12 Nov–23 Dec. Visitors can browse a handpicked selection of pre-loved vintage, designer, and quality high-street clothing all at a fraction of the original price. All profits will support Shelter's work to build a fairer housing system.

Open daily from 12 Nov until 23 Dec 2025

Every day 12–8pm

Tickets

For telephone bookings call our booking line on 0343 208 1497 , lines are open between 9am-8pm Mon-Fri, 10am-8pm Sat, 10am-6pm Sun and Bank Holidays, closed Christmas Day.

Adult skate tickets from £15.00. A one-off transaction fee of £2.95 per order applies. Please note that prices may vary throughout the run and we advise early booking to secure the lowest price.

Child prices start from £10.00. Please note that prices may vary throughout the run and we advise early booking to secure the lowest price.

A child must be 12 years or under to qualify for the child ticket price.

Children aged 12 years and under must be accompanied by an adult on the ice. There should be one adult for every five children skating.

A 10% family discount will be automatically applied to orders for groups of up to four or eight (where there is either one adult and up to 3 children aged 12 and under, or two adults and up to six children aged 12 and under). Any subsequent tickets will be charged at full price.

Concessions (20% off)

Concession tickets are available to recipients of Universal Credit, Pension Credit, NHS staff, full-time students and disabled visitors claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

These tickets are available for sessions at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm on:

12–14 Nov

17–21 Nov

24–28 Nov

2 Jan

5–9 Jan

Concessions are also available during all Relaxed Sessions.

Concession ticket holders will be requested to present their proof of eligibility on entering the rink, or at the box office if buying their ticket on-site.

Groups

To book for a group of 20 or more phone our groups booking line on 0343 208 1497 Group bookings are subject to availability.

Skate Mate

A Skate Mate is a dedicated ice marshal who can be booked to provide help for groups of 4 to 15 people.

The cost is £35.00 in addition to the price of your skating ticket.

Our Skate Mates are not skating instructors but can provide useful assistance for novice skaters who need extra support.

Skate Mates must be booked by telephone by calling 0343 208 1497 either at the same time, or after booking your Skate tickets and at least 48 hours in advance of your Skate session.

Please note: a limited number of Skate Mates are available per session.

NB: If a Skate Mate is booked, children 12 and under must still be accompanied on the ice by a supervising adult. Skate Mates can be pre-booked to provide additional assistance on the ice. These are not lessons and they cannot act as a guardian for children aged 12 and under.

Receiving Tickets

You will receive your tickets via email. If customers have not received their tickets by the date of their session, please call 0343 208 1497 or alternatively check in with our on-site box office, please bring the credit or debit card used for the booking and the reference number.

Buying tickets on the day

For those of you making last minute plans, we have a very limited number of tickets for each session which are available every day from the on-site box office for all sessions, except for Skate Lates and Skate School.

These extra on-the-day tickets are released for sale as soon as the box office opens, so come early to avoid disappointment. This limited number of daily tickets for each session are available to purchase for walk up until noon. From 12pm any remaining tickets will be released online, subject to availability.

These tickets are only available for on-site purchases (maximum six per person) and are subject to availability.

You can also book tickets for future dates in person from the Box Office, subject to availability.

See Box Office Opening Times in the ‘Times’ section above for more details.

Please note that Somerset House is a cashless site.

Exchanges

Tickets are non-refundable. Tickets can be exchanged up to 48 hours in advance of your booked time slot for a £3 fee per ticket, subject to availability. Additional charges may occur during peak periods. For ticket exchanges please call 0343 208 1497, 48 hours before your session begins.

FAQs

Do I need to do anything before I arrive?

Please check your tickets to make sure that they are for the correct date and time, and that you have the correct number of tickets.

If the date, time or quantity are not what you were expecting, please contact us as soon as possible on 0343 208 1497 quoting your reference number.

How do I get to Somerset House?
Is there parking?

There is no parking available. Public transport is strongly advised.

Refunds & Exchanges

Tickets are non-refundable. Tickets can be exchanged up to 48 hours in advance of your booked time slot for a £3 fee per ticket, subject to availability. Additional charges may occur during peak periods. For ticket exchanges, please call 0343 208 1497, 48 hours before your session begins.

When should I arrive?

Please arrive at Somerset House 30 minutes before your skating session begins so that you have time to get your skates and still enjoy your full session on the ice.

Please do arrive earlier if you need to leave items in the cloakroom.

If you arrive late you will be allowed on the ice but you may not have your full session of skating and will only be able to stay for the remainder of your booked session.

Please note that all sessions are 45 minutes.

Tickets are only valid for the date and session time booked. Tickets are not transferable or refundable if you arrive during or after your session.

What shall I do when I arrive?

If you do not already have your tickets, collect them from the on-site box office.

You should then leave all loose items including bags in the cloakroom or with someone in your party who isn’t skating and proceed to the Skate Entrance with your ticket, you can then collect your skates and get on the ice.

Skate boot hire is included in your ticket price.

What do I need to leave in the cloakroom?

All bags regardless of size, and bulky or loose items such as large cameras, are not allowed on the rink or in the skate hire area. These need to be left in the cloakroom where the first item is free and there is a subsequent charge of £2 per item.

Please note that items are left in the cloakroom at the owner’s risk.

What size boots are available?

The smallest skating boot is a child’s size 6 (European size 23), this will fit children aged approximately 2 years old.

The largest skating boot is a size 15 (European size 50).

Can I use my own skates?

Skaters may use their own skates. Somerset House reserves the right not to allow a person to use their own skates if they are not suitable. We do not sharpen personal ice skates.

What do I need to know if I am bringing children?

A child must be 12 years or under to qualify for the child ticket price.

Children aged 12 years and under must be accompanied by an adult on the ice. There should be one adult for every five children skating.

The smallest skate size available for children is size 6 / European size 23 (age approx 2 years old). Parents must judge whether their children can skate safely.

A 10% family discount will be automatically applied to orders for groups of up to four or eight (where there is either one adult and up to 3 children aged 12 and under, or two adults and up to six children aged 12 and under). Any subsequent tickets will be charged at full price.

Skate Aids / Skate Mates

Skate aids are stabilisers available for children aged age 8 or under. There are a limited number of skate aids that will be available on a first-come-first-served basis and cannot be pre-booked. If availability allows and there are skaters aged over 8 who would benefit from the Skate aids, we may be able to accommodate.

Skate Mates are dedicated ice marshals that can be pre-booked for £35 per session to provide additional assistance for groups of 4-15 people.

Skate Mates must be booked by telephone by calling 0343 208 1497 either at the same time, or after booking your Skate tickets and at least 48 hours in advance of your Skate session.

Please note: a limited number of Skate Mates are available per session.

NB: If a Skate Mate is booked, children 12 and under must still be accompanied on the ice by a supervising adult. Skate Mates can be pre-booked to provide additional assistance on the ice. These are not lessons and they cannot act as a guardian for children aged 12 and under.

What should I wear?

Remember that the ice rink is open-air, so dress warmly and for the prevailing weather conditions.

Wear thick socks for extra comfort and don’t forget your gloves! Please avoid wearing any clothes or fancy dress that might obstruct your vision, cause a trip hazard (e.g. long scarves or coats) or cause an obstacle for other skaters. Organisers reserve the right not to allow customers wearing impractical clothing or fancy dress on the ice rink if they decide it may cause a risk to themselves or others.

You may also wish to bring a spare pair of socks to change into once your session on the ice has come to an end.

What happens in bad weather?

The ice rink is open-air and skating continues come rain or shine.

Remember to dress warmly and wear something waterproof if you are worried it might rain. You could also bring a change of clothes and spare socks if the weather forecast predicts rain.

Tickets are not transferable or refundable.

What happens if the event is cancelled?

If Skate is cancelled you will be notified and will receive a full refund. Somerset House Trust is a charity so please consider donating the cost of your ticket.

Is there food available?

Yes, for more information click here.

Can I bring food/drinks?

No food or drinks are allowed into the skate hire area or on the ice. Glass is not permitted on the viewing platforms or in the courtyard.

Personal food and drink items can be brought to Somerset House, but we kindly ask that this is not consumed within the bars or restaurants on site.

Can I take photographs?

You can take photographs for personal use, but selfie sticks, large cameras, video cameras or audio recording devices are not allowed on the ice. The use of tripods is not permitted anywhere on-site for safety reasons.

Can I bring my friends to watch?

Spectators are welcomed at the ice rink free of charge.

They can watch from the viewing platform or from the warmth of the Skate Lounge, which has a fantastic rink-side view.

How accessible is the rink?

Wheelchair users can skate on any session at Somerset House, as well as on our dedicated wheelchair user sessions. Click here for more information

We also have our Chilled Out sessions which may be suitable for our neurodiverse audiences. These sessions have a reduced capacity, lower music levels and our skate return space will be open if you need to take a break during the session. Click here for more information

To discuss any accessibility requirements further please email visitor@somersethouse.org.uk

What toilet facilities are available at Somerset House?

There are a range of toilet facilities at Somerset House. Directly off the courtyard, down a set of stairs are a large number of gender neutral cubicle toilets. There are accessible toilets in the East Wing, South Wing and New Wing. Please ask any member of the friendly Visitor Experience team for directions.

Are tickets available for New Year’s Eve?

For information relating to events taking place on New Year’s Eve, please sign up to the Somerset House e-newsletter and wait for further announcements.

How do I contact the box office?

For all phone enquiries please call 0343 208 1497 between 9am–8pm Mon-Fri, 10am–8pm Sat, 10am–6pm Sun and Bank Holidays, Closed on Christmas Day.

Does Somerset House have free Wi-Fi?

Yes, when you arrive you can access free Wi-Fi through your phone.

When is the on-site box office open?

7–10 Nov: 12–6pm

11 Nov: 12–4pm
Please note that between 711 Nov the Box Office is for advance booking only. Skate opens to the public on Wed 12 Nov)

12 Nov – 11 Jan: 9.30am–9.30pm

On Skate School mornings, the box office opens at 8am

On Early Skates the box office opens at 8.15am

On Late Evening sessions/ Skate Lates the box office closes 5 minutes after the last session of the day begins

Seasonal Openings

Wed 24 Dec; Early closure at 5.15pm

Thu 25 Dec: Closed

Fri 26 Dec: Late opening at 11.30am

Tue 31 Dec: Early closure at 4.15pm

Wed 1 Jan: Late opening at 11.30am

What is Somerset House doing to address sustainability at Skate?

With everything we do, we consider the environmental impact and Skate is no exception. Year on year we work hard to minimise our carbon footprint and take steps to ensure we are being as sustainable as we can be. You can read about the actions we're taking in more detail here.

The serious bit...

Ice skating is a sport with inherent risks. Visitors skate at their own risk.

Tickets are non-refundable.

We reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone who we believe to be intoxicated. This is for your safety and the safety of others.

We reserve the right to refuse entry to and/or ask people to leave the event in reasonable circumstances including without limitation for health and safety or licensing reasons; if you behave in a manner which has or is likely to affect the enjoyment of other persons at the event; if you use threatening, abusive or insulting words or mannerisms; if, in our reasonable opinion, you are acting under the influence of alcohol or drugs; if you are unable, when required, to produce proof of identity or age; if you don’t listen to our staff; if you breach these terms; or if your ticket is void.