We love SKATE at Somerset House, It’s our absolute favourite ice skating rink in the whole of London because not only is it set in the most beautiful of surroundings (urr, hellooo, Somerset House people) but it caters for the whole family. From disco nights for the youngsters and romantic evenings for the couples to offering family time (including for the really tiny tots) for us with small children – it’s just perfect!

They’ve thought of everything and we have always had the most wonderful skates there. I mentioned the tiny tots and really this is the place for them to skate for the first time because unlike lots of other ice rinks in the capital, this one offers skating aids for the under 8s. This has meant we’ve been able to take Florence since she was nearly two years old and Jimmy since he could walk. And they love it.

It used to be penguins that the small ones could hold on to and that’s what both of mine used the first time they ever skated. These days it’s polar bears but whatever the character, I simply love the idea that they allow small children to give it a go and be a part of this really special Christmassy activity.

On Sunday we went to the launch premiere of SKATE for 2015 and yet again we all had an amazing time. Unfortunately the weather was quite warm and because they’ve not opened to the public yet (this happens on 18th December 2015 and is open until 10th January 2016) they were still ironing (or freezing rather) out some finer details and the baby rink wasn’t open. What does this mean for us? Well, we’ll just have to go again, no hardship!

Despite the lack of skating aids which frankly I rather need myself let alone the children, we had the most wonderful time. This was largely due to the wonderful skating staff who help with children when they can and even whizzed Florence and Jimmy around the rink quite fast which pleased them no end. Of course they had been going at my snails pace when hung on to me…

We skated, laughed, enjoyed more than one deliciously crumbly mince pie and hot chocolate in Fortnum’s Lodge and we marvelled at the Fortnum and Mason Christmas tree. It was a lovely way to spend a Sunday as a family made even more delightful for bumping into my friend Carolynne from Mummy Endeavours who took a wonderful photograph of all four of us, a rare thing. One of our favourite places in London at this time of year for absolutely sure and I love it even more every single year – I’m smiling as I type!

Here are ten of my favourite pictures from yesterday at Somerset House!

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We were invited to a pre opening skating session for the purpose of an honest review.

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