Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink Tickets
First, go to the official Hampton Court Palace website—not some reseller. Resellers will charge you double for the same slot. Save your money for the mulled wine, which is honestly the main event after skating.
The Magic of Christmas: See Tickets Delivers Unforgettable Experiences
Second, sign up for their newsletter. I know, I know—more spam. But they send out early-bird alerts for ticket releases, especially for the big seasonal dates. Think of it as a royal decree you actually want. Third, be flexible. If you can do a Thursday morning instead of Saturday night, you’ll have the rink almost to yourself.
The practical stuff nobody tells you
Dress in layers. The rink is outdoors, and the wind from the Thames is brutal. I wore a thermal, a sweater, a scarf, and a coat—and I still shivered. But hey, shivering burns calories, so you can justify the hot chocolate later.
Also, arrive 30 minutes early. You need to exchange your online ticket for a physical wristband, and the queue moves like a tired snail. Use that time to marvel at the palace gates and pretend you’re arriving by horse-drawn carriage.