Another modern heralding of Christmas in the capital (along with the arrival of Christmas sandwiches) is the opening of various skating rinks around town, but the big one has always been Skate at Somerset House. Now in its 20th year, the rink is being sponsored, once again, by Fortnums.
What that means is there's a whole host of lovely food and drink opportunties for pre-and post skating. Or if you'd prefer to just watch other people dicing with death on the ice while you warm your hands with a boozy hot chocolate - there's plenty more to do in addition to the skating.
Talking of hot chocs, this year sees the return of Baileys Treat Bar in the Skate Lounge where options also include Baileys latte and - our personal pick - Baileys Flat White Martini. This year the Baileys team has partnered with coffee connoisseur, Celeste Wong for a Fancy Flat White with Baileys Salted Caramel - perfect for going with Paul A Young’s Baileys Salted Caramel Sandwich Cookies.
Elsewhere there's the Fortnum's Lodge serving up fondues, smorgasbord, raclette and more. Even the snacks here sound great - like the parmesan gougeres, spiced Christmas sausage roll with hot carrot pickle and - of course - pigs in blankets. At night the lodge turns into a winter bar serving up mulled cider and sloe gin fizzes.
We particularly loved the look of the Fortnum’s Christmas Arcade - which is new to the event this year. This takes up a few rooms inside Somerset house, with rooms devoted to sweets, tea, booze, biscuits and more. It makes it far too easy to blow your salary on all manner of lovely foodie presents for your friends and family - or just for yourself.
If you are skating, put a date in your diary for 7 December - that's when they'll be opening the rink for a 24/7 all-nighter skating session.
More about Skate at Somerset House
Where is it? Strand, London WC2R 1LA
When? 13 Nov 2019 – 12 Jan 2020
Launch offer: The Treat Bar is giving away 50 Baileys Salted Caramel x Paul A Young cookies every day until Sunday 17 November.
Find out more: Visit the Skate website or follow Fortnums on Twitter @Fortnums
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