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Wheelchair-Accessible Ice Rinks: Somerset House and Hampton Court Compared

Two of London's best-known festive rinks welcome wheelchair users onto the ice this winter, but they do it in different ways: Somerset House runs dedicated wheelchair sessions alongside its standard programme, while Hampton Court welcomes wheelchair users on the ice provided they are accompanied by a companion. Both rinks run from November into January, both are outdoors, and both reward booking ahead. Here is how they compare, and what to check before you go.

Rollivane editorialPublished 5 min read
Wheelchair-Accessible Ice Rinks: Somerset House and Hampton Court Compared

Illustration of a wheelchair user gliding on a festive outdoor ice rink at dusk beside a historic courtyard, with string lights and a Christmas tree.

Rink dates, prices and session rules are for the 2026-27 season as published by each rink; check the rink's own booking page before travelling.

Somerset House: dedicated sessions and a phone booking route

Skate at Somerset House with Virgin Atlantic Holidays returns from 11 November 2026 to 10 January 2027 in the historic 18th-century courtyard, beneath a 40ft Christmas tree, with tickets from £11 to £28.50. Wheelchair users are welcome at all sessions, and dedicated wheelchair sessions run throughout the season; if you are booking with a wheelchair, the rink asks you to call 0343 208 1497. Reduced-capacity relaxed sessions with lower music levels are also part of the programme for neurodiverse visitors and those with additional needs. There is no on-site parking, so public transport is recommended - Temple station is a two-minute walk, with Covent Garden, Charing Cross and Embankment each about eight minutes away. Entry to the site itself is free; a ticket is only needed to skate.

Hampton Court Palace: on the ice with a companion

Hampton Court Palace's ice rink runs from 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, excluding Christmas Day, with first session at 10:00 and last session at 20:00, and palace admission is not included in the rink ticket. Its frequently asked questions page states the rink is fully accessible, that wheelchair users are welcome on the ice provided they are accompanied by a companion, since the rink cannot provide additional staff for dedicated support, and that a fully accessible viewing platform lets friends and family watch for free. Each session lasts up to 45 minutes on the ice, visitors are asked to arrive 30 to 40 minutes early, children under 3 are not permitted on the ice, and children under 13 must be accompanied on the ice by an adult aged 18 or over, with one adult supervising a maximum of five children. Reduced-capacity sessions from 10:00 daily use static lighting and softer, more relaxed music, and are described as particularly suitable for guests with disabilities and parents with young children. Children's skate aids cost £6, are first-come, first-served, and are for children up to 100cm tall.

Somerset House or Hampton Court: which suits you

Choose Somerset House if you want a dedicated wheelchair session and are happy to book by phone, and if central London transport suits you better than a trip to East Molesey. Choose Hampton Court if you are skating with a companion anyway, want a free accessible viewing platform for non-skaters, and prefer a palace setting with a festive fayre of over 100 artisan producers on 4 to 6 and 11 to 13 December. Both rinks are outdoors and cold, so wrap up warm and bring gloves and spare socks; Hampton Court sells socks and gloves at the rink if you forget. Both are also cashless or largely card-based for extras at Hampton Court, and both sell out at weekends and festive peak dates, so book the session, not just the day.

Before you book any rink

Ask whether wheelchair users skate in their own chair or transfer, whether a companion skates free or pays, how long the session lasts, and where the accessible viewing area sits. Check the skate-exchange process - Hampton Court includes skate hire in every ticket and asks you to swap shoes there - and whether the rink can store a wheelchair safely if you transfer. Finally, check the weather policy: Hampton Court notes that a thin layer of water on the surface in mild weather is uncomfortable rather than unsafe, and that sessions cancelled for extreme weather can be rescheduled, though booking fees are non-refundable.

Sources & further reading

Skate at Somerset House (Somerset House)Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink - frequently asked questions

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