Skate at Somerset House … the low down.

There’s always something a bit magical about a London Christmas, but when you throw in a little festive spin around the ice rink, then it really ramps up the Yuletide factor. With everyone done at school and our niece Bethan over from Chicago, we figured it was time to head to Skate at Somerset House with Fortnum & Mason.

I’ve always had a yen for white skates, and had built up my hopes that perhaps this was the moment my dream of spinning effortlessly around a rink clad in neat white skates might come true, but alas it was not to be. After getting over the initial disappointment, and strapping on the chunky (but undeniably comfy) standard grey skates, we wrapped up in our layers and put a tentative toe out on the rink.

Millie wears J.Brand jeans, J.Crew plaid scarf, Abercrombie & Fitch fur trim jacket. Bethan wears Parajumpers fur trim jacket, J.Crew pants.

As expected the ice was pretty slippery, but the Skate at Somerset House team had the whole falling over thing covered, what with an instructional video on ‘how to skate’ playing as you put your skates on, and a gang of ice marshalls to scoop up the poor souls who inevitably took a tumble.

After an exhausting stint on the rink, we took advantage of the extras involved with our Skate at Somerset House package, which was a trip to the Fortnum & Mason lodge for champagne and truffles.