For the third successive year, the Open Air Tunbridge Wells Ice Rink is back, and this year the rink is even bigger and better. Set in the natural amphitheatre of Calverley Grounds, it is open seven days a week until Sunday 5th Jan 2014 (closed Christmas Day).
Whether you are a professional skater or someone trying it out for the first time, visit this fantastic town centre location and enjoy a skate with family and friends and you will be guaranteed bags of fun and plenty of laughs. If ice skating is not for you, but you still want to be part of the superb festive atmosphere, there are plenty of other things to do in Calverley Grounds such as visiting the many ‘Christmas Chalets’ which offer all kinds of Christmas themed gifts and a huge variety of food and drinks.
Local craftspeople will be exhibiting in the chalets selling everything from candles to scarves, confectionery to hampers and Christmas trees to pet gifts. All the exhibitors are local independent businesses whose products are unique and of a very high quality. Also, this year, there is now an ‘on-site’ photographer available everyday to capture all your memories.
Indoors, one of Tunbridge Wells’ most popular cafes is back at the ice rink for the third year. The Basil pop-up café returns with a festive feast of goodies for everyone. From its finest freshly ground coffee and speciality hot chocolates to wholesome soups and delicious mulled wine. With an array of daily specials and a fabulous selection of award-winning cakes and bakes – why not make it a basilicious trip to the ice rink this year? Open 7 days a week (excluding Christmas Day and New Year’s Day). Bookings for small parties available, call 01892 526422 for more details.
If you are a parent with small children, there are ‘Parent & Toddler Ice Skating Sessions’ especially for you. Sessions, for children from two to under 4 years, are great fun and provide a safe environment for small children to enjoy ice skating. The toddler ice skating sessions start every day at 10.00am and are 30 minutes long (also weekdays until 19 December from 2.00pm – 2.30pm) and one adult goes free per toddler (additional adults are charged at the child price). Only one child aged 2 – under 4 years is allowed on the ice rink per adult and children 4 years and over are not permitted on the ice at this time.
These ice skating sessions are weather dependent and may be re-scheduled if it is raining or the ice is wet, therefore the sessions cannot be pre-booked. Tickets can be purchased the morning of skating from the onsite Box Office – if you want to find out if the sessions are going ahead you can call the dedicated ice rink number and press option 1 – 01892 554645. Please bring a change of clothes as your toddler may get wet and please note, helmets will not be provided for parent and toddler sessions. If you wish your toddler to wear a helmet whilst on the ice please bring your own.
If you want to phone the Box Office, please note that they are open to telephone callers Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm and Saturday 9.30am to 5.30pm. On Sundays you can book online, or, for same-day skating, in person at the ice rink.
The ice rink is supported by AXA PPP, Heart and the Kent & Sussex Courier, and you can see here, through the magic of time lapse photography, how the area has been transformed into a winter skating wonderland – How Tunbridge Wells’ ice rink was made!
If you want to phone the Box Office for tickets, please note that they are open to telephone callers Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm and Saturday 9.30am to 5.30pm. On Sundays you can book online, or, for same-day skating, in person at the ice rink.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your skates on and get down to Calverley Grounds this Christmas and enjoy the thrills and spills of skating on ice!
