Battersea Power Station, it’s an iconic building that stood derelict and overlooked for more than 40 years, but WOW has it undergone a transformation! The whole area has been regenerated with the power station as a centre piece.
This Christmas that included the Jo Malone sponsored GLIDE ice rink, set in a twinkly Christmas fairground and market at the side of the river Thames. Me and my 12-year-old son Mack were in London for the weekend and we had been looking for something festive to do – Battersea Power Station definitely hit the spot.
Skating around a giant Christmas tree surrounded by gorgeous wooden huts, a golden fairground carousel, and sparkly lights – you don’t get much more festive than that!
It’s been really well thought out, you skate in 50-minute sessions, with a few minutes in between to allow them to resurface the ice to keep it in the best condition possible. Skate hire is included in the price which starts at £12 adult (over 13). If you want to store items like bags, coats etc there’s a small fee of £2 or £4 depending on size.
We had an absolute ball out on the ice skating around with the Christmas classics playing. I’m sure I used to be quite good at skating, but the talent seems to have left me. Maybe I just need more practice? Little ones can hire a penguin skate aid for the session to help them gain confidence – sadly there’s no giant penguin for those of us adults who are a bit rusty though.
It’s a perfect venue for some family fun, or for date night as the setting is quite romantic, the rink is right next to the water with the dramatic backdrop of the power station building.
If you want to make an occasion of it there is the gorgeous Glass House bar for drinkies afterwards, or you can really get the party started and hire a glass igloo!
What should I know?
The crepe stall has ‘the best’ crepes (I’m quoting). At £7 for Nutella, Biscoff and strawberry they are not cheap, but they are huge and apparently ‘just so amazing!’ There are plenty of other festive snack options by the ice rink, in lots of wooden huts set along the walkway, or if you fancy keeping warm there are restaurants and café’s inside the power station itself.
Easy to get to?
So easy! Take the Northern Line to Battersea Power Station (Zone 1) and there you are.
What about VIP?
There is no VIP but the glass igloos are the next best thing. Hired separately from skates, groups of eight can enjoy 90 minutes in an igloo which includes a complimentary drink.
Prices start from around £122 for the globes but vary depending on the session.
GLIDE is at Battersea until the 8th of Jan. including New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day and at the time of writing there were still tickets available for Christmas Eve, how magical would that be?
www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk
Experienced and written by Sally Bendall – @girlaboutleeds
