Skaters on the ice at Somerset House, having a good time.

Times, Tickets & FAQs

Session Times

09.00 - 09.45* /10.00 - 10.45* / 11.00 - 11.45 / 12.00 - 12.45 / 13.00 - 13.45 / 14.00 - 14.45 / 15.00 - 15.45 / 16.00 - 16.45 / 17.00 - 17.45 / 18.00 - 18.45 / 19.00 - 19.45 / 20.00 - 20.45 / 21.00 - 21.45 / 22.00 - 22.45*

*on selected dates only.

Seasonal Session Times

Sun 24 Dec, sessions start at 09.00, last session starts at 17.00 
Mon 25 Dec, CLOSED 
Tue 26 Dec, sessions start at 12.00, last session starts at 22.00 
27 - 28 Dec, sessions start at 09.00 last session starts at 22.00 
28 - 30 Dec, sessions start at 09.00, last session starts at 21.00 
Sun 31 Dec, sessions start at 10.00 last session starts at 16.00 
Sun 01 Jan, sessions start at 12.00, last session starts at 21.00 

Opening Hours

On-site Box Office
12 - 13 Nov: 12.00 – 18.00
14 Nov: 12.00 – 17.00
(Please note that between 12 – 14 November the Box Office is for advance booking only. Skate opens to the public on Wednesday 15 November)

15 Nov – 14 Jan: 09.30 – 21.30 

On Skate School mornings, the box office opens at 08.00 
On Early Skates the box office opens at 08.15 
On Late Evening sessions/ Skate Lates the box office closes 5 minutes after the last session of the day begins 

Seasonal Openings:  
Sunday 24 December; Early closure at 17.15
Monday 25 December: Closed 
Tuesday 26 December: Late opening at 11.30 
Sunday 31 December: Early closure at 16.15 
Monday 01 January: Late opening at 11.30 



Skate Lounge by Whispering Angel
Open daily from 15 November 2023 until 14 January 2024
Open 30 minutes prior to the first skating session, closes 30 mins after the end of the last skating session


Chalet Suisse
Open daily from 15 November 2023 until 02 January 2024
Monday – Saturday 12.00 – 22.00 
Sunday 12.00 - 21.00 

Seasonal Openings:
Sunday 24 December, 12.00-17.30 
Monday 25 December, CLOSED 
Tuesday 26 December, 12.00-21.00 
Sunday 31 December, 12.00-17.00 (the Chalet will reopen for our New Year's Eve ticketed event)


Shelter Boutique
Open daily from 15 November 2023 until 23 December 2023
12.00 – 20.00

Seasonal Openings:
Sunday 14 December, 12.00-17.30
Monday 25 December, CLOSED
 

Tickets

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 between 09.00 - 20.00 - Mon-Fri, 10.00-20.00 - Sat, 10.00 - 18.00 Sun and Bank Holidays quoting your reference number.

How do I get there?

Please click here to go to our Getting Here page.

Is there parking?

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

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.

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 3 to 4 years.

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

Can I use my own skates?

Skaters may use their own skates but organisers reserve the right not to allow a person to use their own skates if they decide that 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 or 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 (aged approx. 3 - 4 years old). Parents must judge whether their children can skate safely.

A 10% family discount will be automatically applied to orders for groups of four (where there are two adults and two children aged 12 or under, or one adult and three children aged 12 or 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. Please ask one of our ice marshal staff when starting your session if you would like a skate aid.

Skate Mates are dedicated ice marshals that can be pre-booked for £35 per session to provide additional assistance for groups of 3-15 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! 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.

 

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.

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 do I do if the ice is wet?

The ice rink is open-air and skating continues come rain or shine. As we are an outdoor ice rink, weather conditions can make the surface of the ice wet.

We are always monitoring the safety of our ice rink, and wet ice is safe to skate on. Remember to dress warmly and wear something waterproof. We would also recommend 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 is a charity so please consider donating the cost of your ticket.

Is there food available?
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 by Whispering Angel, 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.

Click here to download our Skate Visual Story

Please note that you cannot take bags onto the ice rink. Our cloakroom has no step-free access but the Visitor Experience team will be on hand, meeting those who may need assistance outside the cloakroom.

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.

This year we also have a RevoLOO on-site from Friday 01 – Saturday 02 December and on Sunday 07 January. This is a mobile Changing Places toilet and changing facility, with an adult-sized hoist, larger floor plan and is staffed by a highly trained attendant to assist you. This service is available to people for whom standard accessible toilets are not suitable.  

Are tickets available for a New Year’s Eve event?
How do I contact the box office?

For all phone enquiries please call 0343 208 1497 between 09.00 - 20.00 - Mon-Fri, 10.00-20.00 - Sat, 10.00 - 18.00 Sun and Bank Holidays.

If you have any feedback or complaints please contact visitor@somersethouse.org.uk. Please note all ticket are subject to our terms and conditions of no refunds and no exchanges. 

Does your site 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?

12 - 13 Nov: 12.00 – 18.00
14 Nov: 12.00 – 17.00

(Please note that between 12 - 14 November the Box Office is open for advance booking only. Skate opens to the public on Wednesday 15 November)
15 Nov – 14 Jan: 09.30 – 21.30 

On Skate School mornings, the box office opens at 08.00 
On Early Skates the box office opens at 08.15 
On Late Evening sessions/ Skate Lates the box office closes 5 minutes after the last session of the day begins 

Seasonal Openings:  
Sunday 24 December; Early closure at 17.15
Monday 25 December: Closed 
Tuesday 26 December: Late opening at 11.30 
Sunday 31 December: Early closure at 16.15 
Monday 01 January: Late opening at 11.30 

The serious bit...

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

Tickets are non-exchangeable and 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.

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.