Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink

The Thames gets its own ice rink each winter at Hampton Court Palace, and it's properly atmospheric - you're skating in front of one of England's grandest royal residences, floodlit after dark. The setting alone makes it worth the trip from Walton-on-Thames, even if you're just watching from the barriers with a hot chocolate.

It's a seasonal affair, running only through the colder months, so check ahead before you go. The rink itself is Olympic-sized, which means it's proper ice - not some dodgy carpet number. Families with decent skaters will have a genuine time; younger kids or complete beginners might find it steep learning on such a large expanse. Allow two to three hours if you want to include skate hire and a break.

Admission costs money and you'll pay extra for skate rental, though the exact rates shift year to year. The real advantage is the backdrop - you're literally skating with the palace's red brick walls rising behind you. It's the sort of winter afternoon that sticks with you.

If you're staying at Chessington World of Adventures Resort nearby, this makes a solid rainy-day pivot or an evening out when the theme park gets too mad. Weybridge Park Estates is even closer by car. The rink works best as part of a winter break rather than a full day's entertainment - go, skate for a couple of hours, then head elsewhere.