This Christmas, get your skates on at the best ice rinks in Hertfordshire, Essex, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
The Big Skate launch day. Watford, Herts
Photo credit: Simon Jacobs
The Big Skate, 24 November – 13 January
The Parade, Watford, Hertfordshire
Set in The Parade, families can relish in the magic of Christmas, as Watford Borough Council’s Big Skate returns for its fifth year. After whizzing around the ice warm up at the ski lodge bar. watfordbigevents.co.uk
The North Pole, 17 November- 6 January
Parker’s Piece, Cambridge
Get into the festive spirit, whatever the weather, and skate in style at The North Pole Cambridge, featuring an undercover ice rink and cosy Alpine Cabin Bar. Adults priced £12.50, children under 15, OAPs, students and concessions £11 and children under 12 £10.50. www.thenorthpolecambridge.co.uk
Ice skating at Lee Valley, 1 December – 6 January
Lee Valley White Water Centre, Station Road, Waltham Cross,Hertfordshire
EN9 1AB
Get your skates on and take to the ice at the London 2012 Olympic legacy venue which will host an array of seasonal activities and entertainment for families and friends to enjoy throughout the festive period including an ice rink, curling lanes for a taster of the winter sport, a Santa’s grotto and fun fair.Ice skating prices start from £5pp for a 45 minute session, curling lanes available from £18.75pp based on eight people hiring a lane for a two hour session. gowhitewater.co.uk
Felixstowe Ice Rink, 20 – 23 December
Great Eastern Square, Hamilton Road IP11 7DY
What could be better than a whizz around an ice rink this Christmas? An ice rink that’s completely free to use, of course! On Thursday 20 December at 11am, the Mayor of Felixstowe will be opening the synthetic rink for all to use. There’s no need to book, just turn up and skate away! www.visitfelixstowe.org.uk/whats-on/events-diary/felixstowe-ice-rink
Meraki Christmas Festival, 30 November to 22 December
Verulamium Park, St Albans, Hertfordshire
For the first time St Albans Christmas market is being held within the Meraki Christmas Festival at Verulamium Park, from 30 November to 22 December. The merge of the events will create a winter wonderland of entertainment for both adults and children. You’ll be able to shop handmade goods from the wooden chalets, enjoy fairground rides and experience a virtual reality Santa’s Grotto. This year’s highlights include the ‘igloo smoke and ice bar’ where you can chill out and get merry with a festive cocktail and the ‘snug movie house’ which will be showing a great line up of films throughout December – make sure you stop by for a festive family favourite!
A Christmas trip to the city wouldn’t be complete without a twirl around the ice. Visitors can do their best Torvill & Dean impression at the synthetic skating rink. All levels are welcome, but wrap up warm!
