Once again, our local palace, former home to Henry VIII, opens its doors for visitors to its seasonal ice rink. With the idyllic backdrop of the Thames and the striking front façade of Hampton Court, who would not want to celebrate the festive season with a skate in this historical landscape?
On 15th November, the rink opened in a very different way to the previous year: without looming lockdowns and the government’s tiering system, there is a celebratory air among the staff and skaters alike, making the experience all the more joyful. That being said, Covid-19 measures are upheld to the highest of standards; the one way system and controlled “2 metre” queuing, contactless payment methods, hand sanitiser dispensers, and regular cleaning of surfaces are highly reassuring. With the nights drawing in earlier as we go deeper into the winter months, the ice rink might seem the last place you would want to visit in the dark. But, we are treated to the palace’s exterior being illuminated in reds, blues and greens, making the already delightful backdrop just that little bit more special. I spoke to some skaters after their session on the rink, and all had glowing reports of their experience. In particular, Anika Soni (16) who had never visited the rink or palace before said that: “I loved having this as my first impression of Hampton Court. I've not always enjoyed going ice skating, but here it feels magical”. For those who are not keen skaters or who are spectating at the rink, there is the opportunity for a hot chocolate and sweet treat (or even a mulled wine) set inside and directly opposite the ice rink, allowing you to still feel a part of the magic, only in the comfort and warmth. The rink is open from 15th November all the way through to 9th January. Of course, there are limited tickets available per session, and in order to ensure a spot it is recommended to book online using the Hampton Court Palace website, before the rink gets fully booked for the holidays.
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