1 London

The Natural History Museum has created a 1,000 square metre rink in the museum garden, with a Christmas fair for non-skaters to browse.

Adults £10, children £7. Family ticket £28. Nhm.ac.uk, ticketmaster.co.uk; 0870 0601780. Open until January 22.

2 Cardiff

City Hall Lawn has been covered in ice. Go on a Sunday if you want to meet Santa - on his reindeer-drawn sleigh.

Adults £7, children (3-12) £5. Cardiffswinterwonderland.com, 029-2023 0130. Open until January 4.

3 Chester

The largest open-air ice rink in north England will be open on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. A Bavarian market and ice bar add to the festive spirit.

Adults £8.50, children £7.50. Chesteronice.co.uk, 01244 346543. Open until January 8.

4 Cornwall

The Eden Project is crowd-free in winter and has added pleasures like the lantern parade (four times a week) and an ice rink.

Adults and children £4 on top of the usual entrance fee. Edenbookings.com, 01726 811972. Open until February 18.

5 Glasgow

Glide past the city chambers, then warm up with mulled wine at the rink-side cafe.

Adults £7.50, children (under 16) £5, family ticket £20. Open until December 24. Glasgow-on-ice.co.uk, 0870 1690100.