Facts checked against the linked sources on 2026-11-02. Prices, dates and session details can change; confirm with the provider before booking or ordering.
The two rinks at a glance
Rink | Season | Wheelchair arrangement | Sessions to note Skate at Somerset House, Strand WC2R 1LA | 11 November 2026 to 10 January 2027 | Wheelchair users welcome at all sessions, plus dedicated wheelchair sessions; book by phone on 0343 208 1497 | Relaxed sessions at reduced capacity with lower music Hampton Court Palace ice rink, East Molesey KT8 9AU | 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, excluding Christmas Day | Wheelchair users welcome on the ice accompanied by a companion; rink described as fully accessible | Reduced-capacity sessions from 10:00 daily with static lighting and softer music
Somerset House tickets start at £11 and run to £28.50, and entry to the courtyard itself is free if you only want to watch, eat, and soak up the atmosphere. Hampton Court's rink ticket is separate from palace admission, and its first session starts at 10:00 with the last at 20:00. Prices and session times change across the season, so treat the figures here as the published starting point and confirm at booking.
Somerset House: dedicated sessions and phone booking
Somerset House is the stronger choice if you want a session designed around wheelchair users rather than a general session you happen to join. Its official page says wheelchair users are welcome at all sessions and that dedicated wheelchair sessions run throughout the season, and it asks anyone booking with a wheelchair to call 0343 208 1497 rather than booking online. That phone call is doing real work: it lets staff schedule enough support, confirm companion arrangements, and steer you to a dedicated session if you prefer one. The rink sits in the 18th-century Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court beneath a 40-foot Christmas tree, with the nearest station, Temple, a two-minute walk away. Reduced-capacity relaxed sessions with lower music levels are also part of the programme, which suits visitors who want a calmer rink as well as a more accessible one.
Hampton Court Palace: companion skating and quiet mornings
Hampton Court Palace takes a different approach: rather than dedicated wheelchair sessions, it welcomes wheelchair users on the ice provided they are accompanied by a companion, because the rink cannot provide additional dedicated staff support. Its reduced-capacity sessions from 10:00 each day use static lighting and softer, more relaxed music, and are described as particularly suitable for guests with disabilities and parents with young children. The rink is fully accessible with a viewing platform, and watching is free. The wider palace Christmas programme runs alongside, including the Festive Fayre with more than 100 artisan producers on 4 to 6 and 11 to 13 December, which makes a combined day out easier to plan.
Booking checklist for either rink
Book early: both rinks sell out at weekends and across the festive peak. At Somerset House, call rather than booking online if you use a wheelchair, and ask directly about companion tickets and dedicated session dates. At Hampton Court, confirm the companion arrangement and the 10:00 reduced-capacity session on your chosen date. At both, check the journey: central London stations are not all step-free, and December crowds make stairs harder, so plan a step-free route before you travel. Finally, check the weather plan: both rinks are outdoors, and a cold, wet evening is part of the experience, so dress for standing and sitting outside rather than for a heated hall.
