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Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink 2025: the complete guide to dates, tickets, prices, parking & expert tips

Skating at Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink 2025 is one of London’s most atmospheric winter experiences: open‑air ice set against Henry VIII’s red‑brick Tudor façade, festive lights, hot chocolate and mulled wine after your session. Below you’ll find everything you need to plan your visit—dates, ticket prices, opening times, transport, parking, accessibility, quiet sessions, skate aids, café, and more.

What’s confirmed for 2025?
As of today, the official 2025/26 season dates are still TBC. Visit London notes that outdoor skating venues for Christmas 2025 are yet to be announced. Based on past years, the rink typically runs from late November to early January; keep an eye on the official site and social channels for announcements.

Hampton Court Palace ice rink 2025 dates & opening times (TBC)

2025/26 season: Not yet published (TBC). In 2024/25 the rink ran 22 Nov 2024 – 5 Jan 2025 (closed Christmas Day). Sessions operated from 10:00–20:00 (site open 09:30; last session 20:00). Expect a similar pattern for 2025 pending confirmation.
Session length: Up to 45 minutes per booking; arrive 30–40 minutes early to get skates and be ready for your time slot.

Hampton Court Palace ice rink 2025 tickets & prices (peak/off‑peak, family, wheelchair)

Final 2025 pricing is not yet live. For orientation, last season prices were:

Adult/Teen (13+): £18.00–£21.00 (varies by quiet, off‑peak, peak).
Child (3–12): £13.00–£15.50 (minimum skating age 3).
Family (1 adult + 3 children or 2 adults + 2 children): £46.00–£61.00.
Wheelchair users: £12.00, with a free carer ticket added at checkout.
Prices included skate hire and typically excluded a non‑refundable online booking fee (last season it was £1.65 per ticket).

Quiet & sensory‑friendly sessions: Previous seasons featured dedicated “quiet/calm” morning sessions (reduced capacity, softer music, static lighting). Expect similar in 2025.

What to expect on the day (what to wear, skate hire, lockers & cloakroom)

Skate hire is included; you can usually bring your own skates if preferred. Optional helmet hire is commonly available on site.
Skate aids (penguins) are available on the day and run on a first‑come basis; last season they were £5 to hire. They’re designed for smaller children (roughly under 120 cm).
Cloakroom/lockers: The rink operates a cloakroom (last season £2 per item, card only). Lockers are also used at times (historically coin‑operated). Expect card payments to be the norm in 2025.
What to wear: Dress warm in layers and wear gloves and thick socks. The rink is outdoors—icy surfaces and winds can make it feel colder than the forecast.

How to get to Hampton Court Palace ice rink (train, bus, parking, ULEZ)

Address: Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU.

Train (fastest): London Waterloo → Hampton Court (direct South Western Railway, roughly 35 minutes). Station is ~5 minutes’ walk from the palace; Oyster/contactless accepted (Zone 6). Trains depart at set minutes past the hour; check National Rail for live times.
Bus: From Kingston: 111, 216, 411, 461, 513. From Richmond: R68. Stops are a short walk from the gates.
Parking (limited): On‑site palace car park £1.80/hour (card), spaces fit standard cars; 10 Blue Badge bays (free for Blue Badge holders). Hampton Court Green car park (about 500 m from the entrance) £1.80/hour.
ULEZ: The car park exit turns left into the ULEZ/LEZ zone. Vehicles exiting back out of London may avoid charges if they don’t re‑enter the zone, but always check your vehicle on TfL before you travel.

Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink Café & Bar (food & drink after skating)

Expect a festive Ice Rink Café & Bar beside the rink—ideal for warming up with hot chocolate, mulled wine, mince pies and snacks. Exact 2025 menus TBC, but the café has been a consistent feature.

Accessibility at Hampton Court Palace ice rink (wheelchairs, carers, quiet sessions)

Wheelchair users can skate on the ice (a confident carer on skates must accompany; add a free carer ticket when booking). A dedicated ticket type was £12 last season.
Quiet/sensory‑friendly sessions have run in early slots with reduced capacity, static lighting and lower music—helpful for skaters with sensory needs. Look for these when 2025 sessions go live.

Best time to visit & crowd‑beating tips

Off‑peak weekday mornings are the calmest and cheapest; evenings deliver the most dramatic palace lighting for photos. (Quiet/calm sessions usually run at 10:00.)
Book early for weekends and school holidays; prime evening slots sell fast once tickets go on sale. (Last season’s sales opened in September.)

Combine your skate with a palace visit (what to see in winter 2025)

The palace is a full day out—Great Hall, Tudor Kitchens, gardens, the Maze, Cumberland Art Gallery and more are included with palace admission. Check opening times if you’re doing both palace and rink the same day.
Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre 2025 is scheduled across two weekends: 5–7 Dec and 12–14 Dec 2025—artisan food, gifts and seasonal stalls within the palace courtyards (palace admission required). It pairs perfectly with a skate.

Weather, cancellations & service updates

Outdoor rinks occasionally close for high winds or heavy rain; announcements go out on the rink’s Facebook/Instagram/X. In January 2025, for example, the rink closed early due to weather—so always check social channels before you set off. (Refunds/rebooking policies are published with each season’s T&Cs.)

Sample day plan: Hampton Court Palace ice rink from central London

09:24 train Waterloo → Hampton Court (about 35 minutes, Oyster accepted).
10:00 quiet/calm skate (if offered in 2025) or 11:00 off‑peak session. Arrive 30–40 minutes early.
Café & Bar for a warm‑up drink.
Palace visit (Great Hall, Kitchens, Gardens, Maze).
Dinner in Kingston or back into central London.

Final tips for a smooth skate

Book off‑peak weekdays for value and space; book evenings for the best photos under palace lights.
Arrive early to lace up without stress.
Check weather updates on the day.