10 of the best outdoor ice skating rinks

Whether gliding along gracefully or falling over continuously, outdoor  ice skating is a fun day out for all the family. So get your skates on and get into the holiday spirit!

1. The Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park London

Boasting far more than just an ice rink, The Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is a Christmas extravaganza with rides and attractions for all ages. A children’s Santa Express ride and Victorian Bandstand Grotto will delight the kids. The outdoor ice rink has no minimum age for children, but ice skates only start at size 9 in children’s sizes.
Date: 21st Nov 09 – 3rd Jan 2010 (closed on Christmas Day)
Admission: Ice skating admission varies between peak and off peak times, the Winter Wonderland is free to enter, but you must buy tickets to go on the big wheel.
Address: Hyde Park, London, W2
For more information visit the Winterwonderland website

2. Spinningfields Ice Rink in Manchester City Centre

The Hardman Boulevard at Spinningfields is the location for this years open air Manchester ice rink. There will be plenty of eateries in the locality and it is billed as being family friendly. Children under the age of eight need to be accompanied on the ice and the smallest ice skate size is a child size 10.
Date: 12th Nov 09  - 3rd Jan 2010
Admission: 12th - 13th Dec: Adults £7.50, Seniors, Students, Youths (13-16 years) £6.50, Child (under 12) £5, Child (under 5) FREE. 14th Dec - 3rd Jan Adults £8.50, Seniors, Students, Youths (13-16 years) £7.50, Child (under 12) £6, Child (under 5) FREE
Address: Spinningfields, Hardman Boulevard, Manchester, off Deansgate
For more information visit the Spinningfields Ice Rink website. 

3. Victoria Centre ice rink in Nottingham

Set in the picturesque Old Market Square, this 20m by 40m outdoor ice rink will be a fun outing for all the family. Right in the heart of the city and next to the grand Council House and the city’s lions the ice rink is the essential winter experience in Nottingham. Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult at all times, and children under 2 will not be alllowed on the ice. Smallest child skate size is a 7

Date: 18th Nov 09 - 10th Jan 2010
Admission: Adults £8, under 16s £6, under 5s £3. Skate hire is free.
Address: Old Market Square, Nottingham
For more information visit the Nottingham-Arena website

4. Ice cube ice rink in Leeds

With 1,250 metres of real ice, the Millenium Square in Leeds town centre will once again be transformed into a huge ice rink. With a skate café and even a 10m2 nursery rink for children aged 2-8 this giant ice rink will be a great day out for all the family .
Date: 17th Jan – 7th March 2010
Admission: Further details will appear on the IceCube website shortly 
Address: Leeds Millenium Square, Leeds City Centre, Leeds, LS1 1UR
For more information visit the IceCube 2009 website.

5. The Eden Project ice rink in Cornwall

The ice rink returns to Cornwall’s global garden just in time for the festive season. You can take skating lessons, attend the ice disco and there is even an under 5s ice playtime.
Date: 24th Oct 09 – 21st Feb 2010
Admission: Normal park admission applies, while skating slots are £5 each, under 5s £2.50
Address: Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall, PL24 2SG
For more information visit the Eden Project website

6. Ice rink and Santa’s Castle in Bristol

Situated in the Mall at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol’s Winter Wonderland is sure to be a delight for the whole family. The ice rink is situated near Santa's Magical Castle (opening 12th November) and the Mall will be open for late night shopping.
Date: opens12th November 09

Admission: Tickets available from 9th November; please visit the website below for further details. 
Address: The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, Regional Shopping Centre, Patchway, Bristol, BS34 5DG
For more information the see the Cribbs Causeway website.

7. Winchester Cathedral ice rink

With the backdrop of Winchester Cathedral, this outdoor ice rink promises to deliver a lovely sense of festive fun. A café will be there delivering seasonal refreshments and a Christmas Market which opens from 27th November will have high quality food and produce on offer. There are special ‘Mums and tots’ sessions where children as young as two can enjoy the ice. These are only on 1st, 3rd, 8th and 10th December; please see the website below for more details.
Date: 27th Nov 09 – 3rd Jan 2010
Admission: Adults £9.20, Seniors and Children (4 -16 yrs) £7.20, 'Mothers and Toddlers' £7.20
Address: Winchester Cathedral, 1 The Close, Winchester, SO23 9LS
For more information visit the Winchester Cathedral website

8. Centre for life ice rink in Newcastle

Billed as the North’s most popular ice rink, The Centre for Life’s ice rink - now in its ninth year -is part of the great science centre’s events. Hold your children’s party on ice or why not visit the centre while you are there and see the Human Life Exhibition and watch the Survival on Ice live science show.
Date: 14th Nov 09 – 21st Feb 2010
Admission: Ice rink only - Adults £7.50, Children £5.50, Concessions £5.95. There is also a 'Santa and skate special' - further details on the website.
Address: Centre for Life, Times Square, Newcastle, NE1 4EP
For more information visit the Skating at Life website

9. Edinburgh’s Winter Wonderland

Boasting one of the largest ice rinks in the UK, the Edinburgh Winter Wonderland now has a special children’s ice rink for under sevens to try out their skating skills. As well as an ice rink, there is a snow slide, snowball bumper cars and numerous children’s rides.
Date: 28th Nov 09 – 4th Jan 2010 (closed on Christmas Day).
Admission: Prices differ according to peak and off-peak times. Skate hire is free for under 7s, £1 for Adults and Children over 7.
Address: East Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, EH2
For more information visit the Edinburgh Winter Wonderland website

10. Cardiff Winter Wonderland

The beautiful Civic Centre is the location for the Cardiff Winter Wonderland which is on its eighth year. There are plenty of attractions to see alongside the ice rink, with a children’s carousel and rides along with free entertainment.
Dates: 12th Nov 09 -  3rd Jan 2010
Admission: Adults £8.50 (peak), £5.50 (off peak), Children (3-12 yrs) £5.50, Concessions £6.50
Address: Civic Centre, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3ND
For more information visit the official Cardiff website

11. Somerset House ice rink

Skate beneath the stars in the heart of London this winter, as Somerset House ice rink celebrates its 10th birthday. A calendar of special events includes Breakfast with Tiffany, DJ nights and Penguin Club.
Dates: 17th Nov 09 - 24th Jan 2010
Admission: Daytime (10am - 5:15pm) Adults £10.50, Children (under 12) £5.50. Evening (5:15 - 11:30pm) Adults £12.50, Children £8.
For more information visit the Somerset House website


Why not add any ice skating rinks in your area to the comments below.