The Natural History Museum ice rink
(Picture: no fee)The Natural History Museum has confirmed its festive ice rink is returning for the last time this December.
The highly popular attraction, which was cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic, will return to the forecourt of the South Kensington museum in October.
However, organisers have said 2021 will be the last outing of the attraction. From next year, the five-acre site will be turned into a biologically diverse green space as part of the Museum’s Urban Nature project.
The gardens will become a research centre, including outdoor classrooms and a living lab. A new, weatherproof cast of Dippy the Dinosaur - the popular cast that hung in the entrance hall of the museum until it was replaced with the skeleton of a blue whale in 2017 - will stand centre stage in the garden.
In 2020, the museum confirmed it had gained planning permission, and a £3.2million Lottery grant, to complete the work.
The garden has the backing of Sir David Attenborough, who said previously: “The natural world is under threat as never before. Species that were a common sight in gardens across the country when I was young, such as hedgehogs, are rarely seen by children today. These declines have devastating consequences for wildlife.
“â¯Unless children have access to nature and experience, understand and nurture wildlife, we know they might never feel connected to nature and could grow up with no interest in protecting the natural world around them.
“The Urban Nature Project opens the door for young people to fall in love with the nature on their doorsteps and develop a lifelong concern for the world’s wild places. Nature isn’t just nice to have - it’s the linchpin of our very existence, and ventures like the Urban Nature Project help the next generation develop the strong connection with nature that is needed to protect it.”
Speaking about the ice rink, Clare Matterson, Executive Director of Engagement at the Natural History Museum said: “We are really pleased that the Ice Rink is able to return for one last Christmas after such a difficult winter last year.
“Following the closure of this year’s Ice Rink, the Museum grounds will be transformed into a biodiversity hub through our Urban Nature Project, helping the next generation develop the strong connection with nature.”
The ice rink will run from Friday 22 October 2021 to Sunday 16 January 2022. Tickets can be bought from www.nhmskating.com
