Gawd, what fun is it to go skating at one of London’s loveliest inner city palaces!?! We just love Somerset House, and not just in summer, as they see in the festive season in style as well: a gorgeous ice rink, DJ sessions, an alpine bar and a special restaurant with seasonal cuisine – what else does one need for a Christmas experience in town? Nothing much…
So, join Claudia Peifer for a brilliant sesh on the ice – and no, she hasn’t been ice skating in a while either 🙂 come to think of it, many of the fellow skaters were only finding their feet on the ice for the first time. And it almost sleighed her, but she successfully avoided an embarrassing tumble after all. That night, Claudia was not alone in ‘dancing on ice’, as over 200 people joined her at that session, and there were all sorts of different languages spoken…and we heard quite a bit of swearing too! Other than your usual Brit ice skating in the capital, the Italians were out in force as well, but there were loads of skaters there from Portugal, Spain, France, Japan, and Aussies too. A proper international affair then!
Spinning the decks were the gals from Raw Silk, but Rock Angel had quite a bit of local talent in their roster, resulting in sell-out sessions at Somerset House. Having sampled other ice rinks in London too, we can say that skating at the Natural History Museum and Hampton Court Palace both offer fabulous skating experiences, and the view at Tobacco Dock is just to-die-for. So, with Xmas shopping in the bag, this is the thing to do to have an absolute laugh when in London over Christmas – Ho, Ho, Ho!
Why Go Ice Skating at Somerset House?
You can also go ice skating in London on temporary rinks at Hampton Court Palace, Tobacco Dock and the Natural History Museum. So what makes this rink so special?
It may be the effervescent glow of the Christmas tree or the fact that up to 250 people can glide around the ice at Somerset House. It could also be the laundry list of awesome DJs and other attractions that make this rink so good.
But, while those are all incredibly sound reasons to experience it for yourself, we also think the three Late Skate sessions a night, as well as the gorgeous setting and beautiful vibes, could have something to do with it too
Whatever it is, the vibes or the scenery, Claudia absolutely loved her experience.
Catch Incredible DJs While You Skate
One huge draw to the ice at Somerset House is the presence of top DJs pumping out tracks while you skate. At times it’s like Snowbombing in the middle of London.
With specialist evenings where top acts and collectives like RAW SILK, Pxssy Palace, Cousins and Deptford Northern Soul Club spin up a storm. It’s an awesome way to spend a winter’s evening.
But there’s more going on here than simply gliding around the rink with your partner or pals.
What Else Is There To Do At Somerset House?
When you’re not ice skating at Somerset House you could be discovering some other areas and events.
Skate Lounge
If the ice isn’t your temperature, how about kicking back in the trendy pop-up Skate Lounge by Whispering Angel instead?
Claudia dropped in and sampled all the delights on offer. From winter warmers such as hot chocolate and mulled wine to elevated tipples like Provence Rosé or champagne – all in the interest of research, of course.
Exhibitions
Your visit to the palace doesn’t have to revolve around the rink. You could take a break from the ice and take in some incredible art and culture.
Makeversity is a collective of over 300 creatives based at Somerset House. Witness their exhibition of groundbreaking solutions for the world’s biggest challenges.
Skate Schools
Not all the fun of the rink at Somerset House occurred when the sunset. You could also take the chance to improve your confidence with professional skate school sessions throughout the day.
Looking For More Icy DJ Fun?
All that ice and music got you thinking about your social calendar this winter?
Don’t worry, there are some suitably huge events on the horizon and we can tell you about them all when you sign up for our newsletter.
Alternatively, check out what happened when Claudia touched down on cooler ground again to interview DJ Yoda as he smashed his set in the Arctic Disco at Snowbombing.
