Christmas Fun: Get Your Skates On!
For a family day out, in the depths of Winter, that's sure to keep everyone happy, you can't go far wrong strapping on some skates at an outdoor ice rink. Here is Raisingkids.co.uk's pick of the best
al-fresco ice rinks around the UK this winter.
 Whether you’re looking for a scene straight out of Noel Streatfeild, or just somewhere for your kids to blow off steam this winter, these outdoor ice rinks cross all the boxes for energetic families.
Generally speaking most rinks allow children aged 3 and over to skate, with hired skates starting at size 25, but check individual rinks first before travelling. All of the ice rinks listed here have somewhere warm to sit and watch the fun, if one parent is sidelined with a toddler or baby.
London
The capital has ice rinks in some of the most glorious locations to choose from, most of which include indoor activities to help you make a day of it. Somerset House, one of the first to open, has this year introduced The Ice Wall – a vertical ice wall for climbing (12 years and up). New rinks on the scene for the 2006-2006 season include a rink in the North moat of the Tower of London and an outdoor ice rink and Christmas fair in the grounds of the Natural History Museum.
Somerset House (21 Nov 2007– 27 Jan 2008)
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Family ticket £29
Natural History Museum (8 Nov 2007– 20 Jan 2008)
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Family ticket £30
Tower of London (24 Nov 2007– 13 Jan 2008)
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Family ticket £30.
 Cardiff (15 Nov 2007– 6 Jan 2008)
At the Winter Wonderland Open Air Ice Rink outside Cardiff City Hall, visitors can skate al fresco and enjoy a Christmas fair.
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Adults £7.50, children £5.50.
Glasgow (24 Nov 2007– 6 Jan 2008)
Part of Glasgow's Winterfest celebrations, George Square will be turned into a grand ice skating palace with mulled wine to thaw out chilled parents.
Family ticket £22.50.
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NB: No children under 4 allowed on the ice.
Bristol (15 Nov 2007 - 7 Jan 2008)
Sparkling fairy lights in the trees and Santa's castle make the Mall at Cribbs outdoor skating rink a perfect Christmas destination for anyone visiting Bristol this Christmas.
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Adults from £5, children from £4.
Manchester (12 Nov 2007– 6 Jan 2008)
Manchester's Piccadilly Gardens is the setting for a brand-new outdoor skating rink complete with an Ice Bar for warming up with hot drinks when it all gets too much!
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Family ticket £22.
Edinburgh (23 Nov 2007– 6 Jan 2008)
Experience the magic of open air skating in the beautiful surroundings of East Princes Street Gardens. For the ninth year Edinburgh's Winter Festivals hosts one of Britain's largest outdoor ice rinks with fairground and Christmas market.
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Family ticket £30.00 (with own skates).
Cornwall (20 Oct 2007 - 24 Feb 2008)
The Eden Project’s winter festival boasts the region’s first open-air ice rink which is open right through to Spring half-term.
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Tickets £4 per person (not including admission).
Norwich (10 Nov 2007– 6 Jan 2008)
Perfect for Christmas shopping, this ice rink in front of Norwich’s Forum shopping centre is always popular, and the special parent and toddler sessions make this rink particularly family-friendly.
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Family ticket £21.
Warwick (8 Dec 2007 - 6 Jan 2008)
Warwick Castle does something a little different this year with a 250m ice trail through the Peacock garden.
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Family ticket: £52 includes entry to the castle and a steam ride.
Please note: Some rinks close on certain days over Christmas and New Year. Please call before travelling in order to avoid disappointment. It’s also well worth checking whether you need to book in advance, as most rinks are very popular at weekends and during the holidays.
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