Shake the ice
MARJORIE YUE
Get your skates on and slip over to one of the many ice rinks popping up all over the country for a festive spin. Whether you’re Torvill and Dean wannabes or a tottering Todd Carty on ice you’re in for a cool time.
Liverpool’s Pier Head is the new location for this year’s Ice Festival which includes an outdoor ice rink complete with a clear canopy to enjoy stunning views of the Mersey river and the Three Graces while you skate.
You can really chill whizzing down the UK’s longest ice slide or have a drink at the bar carved out of ice. liverpool-360.co.uk
Edinburgh’s ice rink is whirling back to St Andrew Square, next to the Nativity scene in the gardens. The oval rink is always a popular Christmas draw – it attracted over 60,000 skaters last year. The adventurous can also scale the Ice Wall at Santa Land, in East Princes Street Gardens. edinburghschristmas.com
The east lawn of the exotic Royal Pavilion is the setting for Brighton’s 880 sq metre rink, with an area for beginners. Or you can soak up the atmosphere at the rinkside Bar & Kitchen. royalpavilionicerink.co.uk With over 600 sq m of the slippery stuff, Birmingham’s ice rink in Centenary Square can accommodate 300 skaters at any one time. But you can just be a spectator in the warmth of The Ice Lounge, which has a viewing platform. iceskatebirmingham.co.uk
With the famous cathedral as the dramatic backdrop, you can skate on Winchester’s ice rink whatever the weather, thanks to the addition of a clear roof as you take in the spectacular views of the magnificent building. winchester-cathedral.org.uk
Swansea Bay’s Waterfront Winter- land has two rinks – the main Admiral rink and one for children, where little ones can get help from penguin stabilisers. Spectators can get a rinkside seat at one of the bars and food stalls to simply watch the action. swanseachristmas.com/ice-skating
An outdoor ice rink is at the heart of Nottingham’s Winter Wonderland on the Old Market Square in front of the splendid domed Council House. And to complete the frozen experience there’s a skate-up ice bar with glasses and furniture made of ice. nottinghamwinterwonderland.co.uk