Ice Rink Canary Wharf

The ice rink sits slap in the middle of Canary Wharf's plaza, surrounded by those gleaming glass towers that make you feel a bit small. It's a seasonal affair - winter only - and it transforms the corporate plaza into something actually fun. The rink itself is decent sized, not cramped like some indoor ones, and there's a real buzz to it when it's busy.

You'll get the most out of it if you've got kids keen on skating, or if you fancy an hour of messing about on the ice without the faff of travelling somewhere remote. It's accessible, free to enter the plaza, though skating costs - expect to pay for admission and hire skates if you haven't brought your own. Allow a couple of hours maximum, honestly. Once you've done a lap or two and grabbed a mulled wine from one of the stalls, you've had the experience.

The real pull is the setting. Skating with those towering buildings reflected in the rink, especially on an evening, is rather striking. It's slick and metropolitan in a way that feels properly London. Come at dusk in December and you'll understand the appeal.

If you're based at Abbey Wood Experience Freedom Glamping just outside the city, it's worth a quick visit on a winter day trip into town, though don't make it your whole outing. The Wharf itself has restaurants and shops to fill the rest of your time. Frankly, it's good for an hour or so, not a destination in itself.