Outdoor ice rinks in Kent
Get your skates on this winter with a visit to an outdoor ice rink.
A number of Kent attractions are currently turning down the temperatures and installing some frosty skating surfaces for families to enjoy in the run up to Christmas and beyond.
But where is your nearest rink?
Port Lympne Reserve
Visitors to Port Lympne Reserve will be able to show off their skating skills as the animal park welcomes its first open air skating rink.
The rink will be open from December 15 to January 9 2017 with skating sessions of 45 minutes available, starting from 11am and finishing at 7.15pm every day, except Christmas Day.
Skating sessions before 2.30pm every day are included in the entry cost to the Reserve, with skate hire priced at £3 per person. After the last entry time of 14.30pm, skating sessions are priced at £8 per person and entry to the Reserve is not included.
Open air skating sessions can be booked online and three skating options are available. For more information, including terms and conditions, opening times and to book a skating time, please visit the website.
Bluewater Shopping Centre
Ice skating is back at Bluewater this winter - but will be outside the Village this year from November 17 until January 2.
Admission for children is from £9, £10 for juniors aged 13 to 16 and adult admission tickets from £11. Family tickets start at £34.
Against the backdrop of one of the ground's beautiful lakes, Bluewater is promising great skating for all to enjoy.
Hot drinks and Christmas refreshments will be available from alpine-style cabins and guests can skate and twirl around a giant Christmas tree – with special events and lessons available for beginners also being held.
For more details click here.
Calverley Grounds, Tunbridge Wells
From November 18 Calverley Grounds will be transformed into a beautiful winter ice rink.
By day or night, visitors can skate in the beautiful splendour of Calverley Grounds’ amphitheatre, bathed in twinkling festive lights.
The 35 x 20 metre ice rink, with a capacity of up to 250 skaters, will be open seven days a week (closed Christmas Day) and is welcoming skaters of all ages and abilities while those wishing to watch friends and family can make use of a spectator’s area next to the rink offering drinks and food.
Dedicated 30 minute parent and toddler sessions will take place every morning at 9.45am – 10.15am and 10.15am – 10.45am and midweek Monday – Friday at 2pm (from Monday November 21 to Friday, December 16).
These sessions cost from £7 and allows one adult to skate with each toddler with seal skating aids available.
Main skating sessions take place from 11am until 8pm.
Booking for peak times, say organisers, is essential – Thursday and Friday evenings, all day Saturday and Sunday and Christmas week.
Adult tickets cost from £10.50 and children’s tickets (aged 4 years and above) from £7.
Ticket price includes hire of skating boots and lasts for 45 minutes.
A £150 season ticket will allow for unlimited skating across the whole six weeks.
Tickets are on sale from www.tunbridgewellsatchristmas.com
