After a year of lockdown and restrictions Hampton Court Palace's seasonal open-air ice rink is back for the winter after last year’s season was cut short. There are new health and safety measures in place to ensure it is Covid-secure for the hundreds of visitors who flock to the annual attraction.

Hampton Court's ice rink runs from mid-November to mid-January, and is located in front of the palace on the riverside.

There are so many facilities to make the ice rink easy and accessible to children, families and people of all ages. There are spectating areas surrounding the ice rink and a café and bar - provided by Miss Polly’s, who will be serving up hearty, winter-warming sharing platters, indulgent sweet treats.

Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink is open daily from 13th November 2021 to 9th January 2022 (excluding Christmas day), from 10am to 8.45pm. Skating sessions last up to 45 minutes. The ticket price includes skate hire and excludes the online booking fee. Ticket prices are £11.50 for under 13s, £16 for 13 years and over, with family tickets priced at £46. On the website parents are able to pre-book skate aids for children aged 10 and under.

Many visitors use the opportunity to visit the palace which was built by Henry VIII’s chief advisor Cardinal Wolsey in the early 16th century. Such was the splendour of the place that King Henry decided to take Hampton Court for himself. Visitors can soak up 500 years of history including the Tudor kitchens and the world-famous maze. This week celebrities, including Abby Clancy and couple Kimberly Wyatt and Max Rogers, have visited the ice rink, taking part in a private skating session in front of the spectacular backdrop of the historic Tudor palace.

The managing director of events and event hire at the arena for the ice skating, Rob Derry, has said: “We’ve gone all out to ensure Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink is a true celebration of winter 2021 and the continuation of regional tradition”.

Outdoor seasonal ice rinks have become very popular in the capital, many with extraordinary and historic settings. Other pop-up rinks include the Tower of London, Queens House in Greenwich, Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, Somerset House and the Natural History Museum. After 16 years this will be the last year that the alfresco ice rink at the Natural History Museum will be open, as the museum is creating a hub for urban wildlife in its gardens.