Skip to main content

Advertisement

10 Great Festive Places to Go Ice Skating by Train

Find an ice rink near you and get your skates on for a cool Christmas treat!

Ice skating is a great fun way to spend time outdoors in the festive season. From November, all through the Christmas holidays and into the New Year, you can get your skates on all over the UK.

Many ice rinks also have wonderful Christmas markets and villages, funfairs, Christmas trees and lights, bars and food to enjoy before or after your time on the ice, so you can really make a day of it. Mulled wine and mince pies, here we come!

Find an ice rink near you below, and get ready to show off your skating skills. If you travel with a Railcard(external link, opens in a new tab) you can get 1/3 off most train tickets. Depending on your Railcard, you might be able to get discounts or free travel for kids too.

1. Skate Manchester

Have an unforgettable winter experience Skate Manchester at Cathedral Gardens in Manchester city centre. The rink is covered, so you can enjoy a magical skating experience no matter the weather.

  • Opening dates: Friday 6 November 2006 until Sunday 3 January 2027

  • Nearest station to Skate Manchester: Manchester Victoria

2. Glide at Battersea Power Station

Skate by the riverside at Glide at Battersea Power Station. Enjoy a view of the Thames, on 3 interconnected rinks surrounded by twinkling lights and a spectacular Christmas tree. There’s also a scenic skate trail, and on selected dates there are accessible skate sessions with fewer skaters and reduced music and lights.

  • Opening dates: Friday 6 November 2006 until Sunday 3 January 2027

  • Nearest station to Glide at Battersea Power Station: Battersea Park

3. Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland

For Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland, Cardiff Castle is transformed into a breathtaking winter escape, with both an undercover ice rink for a cosy indoor skate, and an open-air ice trail if you’re feeling more adventurous.

4. Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink

Get ready for a magical winter experience with the return of Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink. Glide into the festive season, surrounded by over 500 years of history and architectural splendour.

You can also get 2FOR1 entry to Hampton Court Palace with National Rail’s Days Out Guide (doesn’t include ice skating).

  • Opening dates: Saturday 20 November 2006 until Sunday 3 January 2027

  • Nearest station to Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink: Hampton Court

5. Tulleys Christmas Experience

Deep in the West Sussex woods, Tulleys Christmas Experience has a charming outdoor skating rink, as well as Santa’s Grotto, circus performances, gingerbread decorating and loads more festive fun.

  • Opening dates: Saturday 21 November to Christmas Eve (Friday 24 December) 2026

  • Nearest stations to Tulleys Christmas Experience: Crawley, Three Bridges

6. Ice Skate Birmingham

Visit Centenary Square in Birmingham’s city centre for a session at Ice Skate Birmingham. The rink’s new clear roof means you can skate in comfort, come rain, shine (or snow!).

  • Opening dates: Thursday 5 November 2006 until Sunday 3 January 2027

  • Nearest station to Ice Skate Birmingham: Birmingham New Street

7. Ice Skating at Eden Project

Cornwall’s glittering Ice Skating at Eden Project is bathed in Northern Lights colour. It’s covered, so no need to worry about the weather, and offers family fun and parent and toddler sessions, alongside general admission. You will need a ticket for Eden Project too.

You can also get 2FOR1 entry to Eden Project with National Rail’s Days Out Guide (doesn’t include ice skating).

  • Opening dates: Friday 30 October 2026 until Sunday 21 February 2027

  • Nearest station to Ice Skating at Eden Project: St Austell

8. Warwick Castle Ice Skating

The east front of the castle, underneath the majestic Guy’s Tower, is transformed into a magical skating rink for Warwick Castle Ice Skating. Your skating will be soundtracked by a selection of Christmas classics.

You can also get 1/3 OFF entry to Warwick Castle with National Rail’s Days Out Guide (doesn’t include ice skating).

  • Opening dates: Sunday 21 November 2006 until Sunday 3 January 2027

  • Nearest station to Warwick Castle Ice Skating: Warwick

9. Ice Skating at Glasgow’s Winter Wonderland on the Green

The Glasgow Green Ice Rink is part of the city’s annual Winter Wonderland festivities. The outdoor rink is suitable for all ages, and also has a themed festive bar!

10. Winter Wonderland Nottingham – Ice Rink and Sky Skate

The centrepiece of Winter Wonderland Nottingham is the Ice Rink and Sky Skate. Choose from the ice rink at ground level, a dedicated kids rink, and the Sky Skate Ice Path high above the city centre!

  • Opening dates: Friday 12 November until New Year’s Eve (Friday 31 December) 2027

  • Closest station to Winter Wonderland Nottingham: Nottingham

Get 1/3 off train fares with a Railcard

  • Save up to 1/3 off your trips when you travel by train with a Railcard

  • From children to seniors, over 20 million people in Great Britain can save with a Railcard. See which one is right for you

  • Buy yours today for just £35 and you’ll make the cost back in 1 or 2 trips! 

Offers are correct at time of publication but subject to change.

Glide at Battersea Power Station image credit: © Glide/Joshua Atkins

Advertisement