London’s ‘first and only’ riverside ice rink to open at Battersea Power Station

By Charlotte Lillywhite, Local Democracy Reporter

An incredible ice rink next to the River Thames will be opening in London this Christmas as part of the iconic Battersea Power Station revamp.

Glide at Battersea Power Station will be the capital’s “first and only” riverside ice rink as the company behind the site’s redevelopment unveils its “biggest and best” Christmas plans to date.

Londoners will be able to skate across three connected ice rinks surrounding a 30ft Christmas tree, set in front of the power station, from November 11.

The ice rink will open on the site for around two months until January 8. Organisers are billing the attraction as the “most magnificent open-air ice rink in the city” and the number-one must-do activity this winter.

Tickets will start from £8 for children aged 12 and under, £12 for adults and £36 for families. There will also be vintage-style fairground rides, photo booths and live entertainment for visitors.

The ice rink will be run by events giant IMG – the company behind Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park and the Natural History Museum’s popular ice rink, which closed in January after 16 years.

Tickets for the new ice rink go on sale tomorrow.

The announcement comes after Wandsworth council’s licensing committee green-lit entertainment and booze plans for the power station earlier in September.

This means other events such as outdoor cinemas, brand pop-ups and children’s runs can be held on the site.

The Grade II listed power station is opening its doors to the public for the first time ever on October 14.

The £9 billion redevelopment project in Battersea includes new homes, shops, bars, restaurants, cafés, offices, a pedestrianised high street and more than 19 acres of public space.

Circus West Village, the first phase of the regeneration, opened in 2017. It is home to more than 1,800 residents and more than 20 bars, restaurants, cafés and leisure venues.

Simon Murphy, chief executive at Battersea Power Station, said: “This will be our first Christmas following the public opening of the power station on October 14, and what better way to celebrate than with our biggest and best Christmas offering to date.

“With London’s first riverside ice rink, great food and drink venues, and an exciting mix of British and international retail brands, it’s going to be the place to visit this festive season to enjoy quality time with friends and family, as well as a spot of Christmas shopping.”

Stephen Flint Wood, executive vice president and managing director at IMG, said: “As the city’s newest winter attraction and after the remarkable renovation of this landmark site, we expect Glide at Battersea Power Station will be extremely popular and recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.”

Pictured top: Glide at Battersea Power Station (Picture: Solid Creative Ltd)