One chilly evening in December, Rebecca and I decided to embrace the winter and go to ice skating at the Natural History Museum. Let’s not discuss my long commute home the one night I actually have plans after work, because that would just taint the festive vision I saw once I got off the tube at South Kensington station and emerged at the rink itself.

After finally getting settled and swapping my shoes for the hire skates, I was ready to get on the ice. I’d only ever been to indoor mall ice rinks before, and I had just assumed that the big vacuum-like machine would come onto the ice (like they had in all the shopping mall rinks I had been on) and make sure the ice was smooth and still ice-like. As the skaters of the previous session came off the ice, we all lined up to get through the gates and onto the ice. Due to my inexperience of ice skating, I had strategically placed myself so that I could be first onto the ice to shotgun the bannister that went along the outside of the rink so that I could drag myself along for the first few ‘circuits’ after the ice vacuum machine had been on.

Now, I’m not a professional ice-skater and maybe this is normal for non-shopping mall ice rinks, but I was a little shocked to see that there was no vacuum (I really need to find out what this is called, but you get the gist) and there were large puddles all over the ice rink. Keep in mind that Reb and I had slot ourselves into the last available slot of the day, so perhaps the ice was a little worn but it did not seem normal, nor safe, for the rink to be in that state. Regardless, Rebecca and I managed to manoeuvre ourselves around the rink and I really enjoyed myself. I must say, it was all a little surreal as we skated around in the fresh air with the historical buildings around us, it felt so magical.

We decided not to skate for our full slot, and instead returned our skates and headed up to refuel with a hot drink. The package Reb had bought was for a skate, carousel ride and a beverage (£25) so we pottered up to the cafe but as we arrived, the waiter had informed us we were too late and they were no longer serving. We were rather disheartened so the waiter decided to see if his manager could do anything. The manager, an older man, rudely snatched our vouchers and reluctantly handed us our glasses of mulled wine. Completely unnecessary as all the man had to do was give us our polystyrene cup and fill it with the wine that was sitting, already made, in the thermos behind him.

With our mulled wine in hand, we walked outside to the carousel. My heart sank a little. The carousel was unmanned and looked to already be closed. Although this was just a nice bonus of the night, it was disappointing that we were never told that things would be shut after our slot. Had we known, we would not have bought the package or we would have done it before the skate session and compromised a little ice skating time at the beginning to enjoy our drink and carousel ride.

Thus, I have to say that the service of the staff at the ice rink and cafe left a lot to be desired. A little training would not go amiss in the manners and communication department between staff, and also between staff and customers. Physically, the setting of the rink was beautiful and festive so it was slightly disappointing to see the puddles on the ice and an improvement for next year- maybe some music on the rink?

Overall, I feel the naturally picturesque setting has given the rink a chance to get away with below-average standards and I do not think I would come back again.

I thoroughly enjoyed ice-skating with Reb and we did have a laugh together but I think I would be interested in checking out alternative spots to go ice skating in London.

Until next time x