Lee Valley Ice Centre

Originally opened in 1984, Leyton’s Lee Valley Ice Centre underwent a major £30 million refurbishment in recent years, reopening in June 2023. It now boasts two Olympic-sized skating rinks, along with a gym kitted out with more than 70 machines, a multi-purpose fitness studio with ballet barres and a sprung floor and a cafe open daily from 9am to 5pm. With solar panels, wastewater recycling facilities and fully electric operations, it’s set to be the most sustainable ice centre in the UK, while its construction from gabion baskets and the newly planted meadows and trees surrounding the centre are designed to support local biodiversity. As well as offering ample training facilities for professional and semi-pro skaters and ice hocket teams – a list of affiliated teams and clubs can be found here – the centre is open to members of the public. With double the capacity of the old facilities, it’s expected to attract half a million visitors annually for ice skating lessons and skate sessions, gym workouts and fitness classes. Skating starts at £10 an hour for adults (not including skate hire) while weekly lessons start at £46 per month.