FAQs & Photo Gallery

In the heart of Cheltenham town centre in Imperial Gardens, GL50 1QA, just off the Promenade, at the rear of Cheltenham Town Hall. 

Open daily Friday 29 November 2024 to Saturday 4 January 2025, excluding Christmas Day.

Sunday – Thursday: First session 10am – 11am, last session 8pm - 9pm

*Plus an extra late night session 9.15pm – 10.15pm on Sunday 22^nd, Monday 23^rd, Tuesday 24^th December.

Friday & Saturday: First session 10am – 11am, last session (adults only) 9.15pm – 10.15pm

Tickets now on sale here. Standard and peak advance prices are for a one-hour skate, including skate hire. 

Advance bookings will be charged a £1.50 booking fee per transaction. On the door prices are charged an additional £1.50 per ticket but will not attract an additional booking fee.

Peak prices are for all Saturdays in December and the week before Christmas Day, Saturday 21st - Tuesday 24th December.  

Gift vouchers: New for this year. Give the gift of a magical skate. Contact the box office on 01242 384805 or by email [email protected] to order.

Personal assistants: Free of charge. There is no need to book a personal assistant ticket. A free ticket will be issued to personal assistants accompanying a paying skater when proof of eligibility is shown at the onsite Box Office.

*Concession rates are available for: 65 years+, students (TOTUM card holders or similar), Blue Light Card holders, Veteran ID card holders. Book your session in advance and show proof of eligibility to rink staff when you arrive for your session.

Yes, save10% for parties of 20 paying skaters or more. Available on standard and peak tickets. To qualify for the discount, group bookings must be made with the Box Office by phone 01242 384805 or email at [email protected]

We expect weekday sessions in term-time and morning sessions to be quieter, and they are recommended for anyone wishing to skate in a more relaxed environment, including wheelchair users (who are welcome to use the rink at any time).

We have also created some dedicated Relaxed Glide sessions for SEN visitors. The atmosphere during these sessions will be more sensory friendly with fewer tickets sold, no disco lights and quieter music. Standard prices apply.

If you’d like to learn more about what to expect at the rink, please watch this video, created by a local student. 

These will take place:

Saturday 30th November 10am – 11am

Monday 9th December 4.45pm – 5.45pm

Sunday 15th December 7pm – 8pm

Thursday 26th December 10am – 11am

Wednesday 1st January 12.15pm-1.15pm.

These sessions can be booked online here.

Yes! College and university students are invited to join us on the ice for lively fun sessions, every Wednesday during term time - just for students! (4, 11 & 18 December, 8 - 9pm). 

Cost for a one hour skate: Just £11.50 for totem card holders PLUS £1 off entry at Gloucestershire's biggest student night at MooMoo and Popworld AND a free shot or draught soft drink!

Book your ice rink tickets in advance and show your TOTUM card, or other proof of student status at the rink. For discounted night club entrance, & shot/or soft drink, show your ice skating ticket, at MooMoo's entrance.

Students can take advantage of concession rates during any open session. 

New for 2024 - Little Princess Parties - Special ice-skating appearances from everyone’s favourite snow queen and her sister! Regular ticket prices apply. We expect these to sell out so book now to avoid disappointment.

Sunday 8th December 1.15pm - 2.15pm, Saturday 14th December 10am - 11am and Tuesday 31 December 11am - 12pm.

We listened to your feedback. New for 2024 - Grown-up Glide, an exclusive late-night ice skating session for adults only.

Every Friday and Saturday 9.15pm – 10.15pm, enjoy the rink during the last session of the evening, free from the little ones.

It’s all about gliding freely—no skate aids, just pure skating fun! Regular prices apply. 

Yes, we invite schools to bring students along to experience this magical winter activity and enjoy some fun exercise in a one-hour skating session.

We are offering special rates for school bookings. Tickets cost £5 per pupil (up to 16 years). One free adult per five paying pupils. All additional adults pay usual price. Eligible Monday-Friday, 10am-2.15pm from Friday 29th November – Friday 20th December.

Exclusive one hour school hire (up to 140 skaters) £700. You can even choose your very own music!

All school bookings must be booked with the Box Office by phone 01242 384805 or email at [email protected]

All bookings to be paid at time of booking or within 7 days of making the booking.

The Cheltenham Ice Rink offers the perfect festive celebration for friends, family, or colleagues to get together and enjoy a magical evening, whether a birthday or a Christmas party.

We offer 10% group discount on bookings of 20+, or you can go all out and hire the whole rink for your celebration.

To qualify for the group discount, bookings must be made directly with the Box Office.

Exclusive hire is available during standard sessions for £1,200 incl. VAT. Each one-hour session can accommodate up to 140 skaters.

If you’re planning a special celebration, we can also offer advice on festive dining and accommodation in Cheltenham. Please call 01242 384805 or email [email protected] with your preferred date, time, and party size to discuss availability.

All bookings to be paid at time of booking or within 7 days of making the booking.

Yes, we invite home educated children and their parents to take advantage of special rates too.

Tickets cost £5 per pupil (up to 16 years). One free adult per five paying pupils. Eligible Monday-Friday, 10am – 2.15pm from Friday 29th November until Friday 20th December.

Proof of home educator status to be shown on arrival at the rink.

All home educator bookings are to be made directly by telephone on 01242 384805, or email at [email protected]

Yes! We know that little ones enjoy being on the ice but might appreciate a quieter environment and we have created some dedicated Little Gliders sessions for pre-schoolers aged 3-5 years old - 

Tuesday 3rd December 10am – 11am

Wednesday 11th December 10am - 11am

Thursday 2nd January 10am – 11am

The sessions cost £15 for one adult and one child under 5. These sessions can be booked online here.

Children must be at least 3 years old. All children aged 3 to 7 years old must be accompanied onto the ice by someone 18+ years in skates, with a maximum of five children per adult. Children aged 8 to 11 must be accompanied by an adult, although the adult need not be skating.

If you are pregnant, have a heart condition or any serious illness we recommend you seek medical advice on whether you can participate. Cheltenham Ice Rink takes no responsibility or liability for those who do skate against guidance.

While anyone ice skating will need a ticket, Cheltenham Ice Rink welcomes everyone. Whether you are with a group who is skating or not, you are welcome to spectate at no additional cost. Please note - the viewing area is not heated so you will need to wrap up warm!

Yes, if you plan to come skating more than once a week, you might like to consider a season ticket to get best value for money. Season tickets can only be purchased by phoning the Box Office.

Season tickets are valid during standard skating sessions only. Entry is not guaranteed so it is advisable to book sessions in advance to avoid disappointment. Sessions must be booked with the Box Office, either by phone - 01242 384805, email - [email protected] or in person at the rink.

Each ice-skating session lasts for one hour, 15 minutes longer than most other seasonal ice rinks around the UK.

Please arrive at the Box Office at least 30 minutes before your session to allow ample time to put your skates on, put your belongings in a locker and get ready to skate.

To ensure the best experience for visitors we’ve reduced the number of people on the ice at any one time for 2024/25.

Ticket availability is indicated by shading against the timeslots on the booking page. The darker the shading, the more skaters you can expect on the ice. Typically, the quietest sessions are in the early morning, late afternoon, and evening.

Yes, the rink is accessible, wheelchair users are welcome for all open sessions however, must be accompanied onto the ice by a personal assistant. The wheelchair user will require a ticket - the personal assistant is free of charge and does not require a ticket, please show ID to the Box Office staff on arrival.

Upon arrival at the Ice Rink, our staff will assist you and your companion onto the ice via ramped access. Please note - The ramps are permanent features and skate marshals will accompany all wheelchair users onto the ice for the first time to ensure everyone is comfortable.

Imperial Gardens is conveniently located in the centre of town and is easy to reach on foot, by bike or scooter. We encourage all visitors to choose sustainable transport methods. Full details on how to get to Cheltenham can be found on the Visit Cheltenham website.

By train

Cheltenham Spa train station is one mile from the Ice Rink with signposted walking routes and regular buses or taxis from the station concourse.

By bus

Cheltenham Ice Rink is a short walk from Royal Well bus station. For details of bus timetables see here. Cheltenham also has a new Park and Ride facility at Arle Court.

By car

Car parks are located throughout the town centre and full details of council-run car parks can be found here. All council-run car parks have designated disabled parking bays. If no disabled parking bays are available, blue badge holders may park in any other car park bay. There are also a small number of roadside disabled parking bays near to the ice rink for blue badge holders.

For users of electric vehicles, details of town centre electric charging points can be found here.

Beverages and a range of snacks and treats will be available to purchase rink-side from a food stall. There are many local cafes, restaurants, hotels, and bars all within a short walk of the ice rink.

We encourage visitors to enjoy a festive day out in Cheltenham and take advantage of the wide ranges of eateries our town centre has to offer, from cosy cafes to award-winning restaurants. See our guide to places to eat in Cheltenham.

The best ticket prices can be found online with advance booking so we strongly recommend that you pre-book your session online here to avoid disappointment and avoid queues on site during busy periods.

If you have a smart phone there’s no need to print your ticket, we’ll scan the QR code from the screen. Please download your ticket before you arrive. Tickets for future sessions can be purchased at the Box Office, located at the Ice Rink or online.

All ice-skating tickets are non-refundable. No refunds will be made unless the management has found it necessary to close the Cheltenham Ice Rink due to health & safety or technical concerns.

If you know you will be unable to attend your pre-booked session and need to change it, please email [email protected] at least 48 hours before your session and the team will endeavour to move your tickets to an equivalent session. Please be advised movement of tickets are discretionary and subject to availability. View our full Terms and Conditions.

A limited number of free lockers are available on a first come first served basis. Box office staff will assist on arrival. We suggest you just bring with you what you can skate in unless you have someone spectating who can look after your belongings for you.

Yes, ice skates are included in the price of your ticket.

Our skate sizes go from a child size 9 through to an adult size 12. Please note skates do not come in half sizes. A limited supply of over the shoe, two bladed children’s ‘bob skates’ are available for our younger skaters and are available on a first come first served basis. Please ask at the Skate Exchange and be sure to arrive in good time.

Yes, we have skate aids available for hire for £5 per session and we recommend booking these in advance at the same time as you book your skating session here.

Pre-booked skate aids will be handed to you when entering the ice. There may be skate aids available to hire on the day of your skate but please note that this is subject to availability.

Yes, figure skates and hockey skates are allowed, but the organisers reserve the right not to allow skates deemed to be unsafe. Please be aware that there is no change to the pricing if you bring your own skates.

Yes, public toilets will be available approximately 200m from the ice rink. There is also an accessible toilet, 130m from the rink along a paved surface.

Yes, the Cheltenham ice rink uses real ice to give you an authentic winter experience. To ensure a high-quality and safe experience for everyone, the ice is resurfaced after every other session.

The ice rink is under cover so unless the weather poses a safety risk, sessions will continue as normal.

By its nature, the ice rink environment is cold so please ensure you dress appropriately. We recommend that you wear thick socks and gloves (to both keep you warm and protect your fingers).

It’s usually best to wear several thin layers that can be easily removed rather than one thick layer.

Phones / cameras are not allowed on the ice due to distraction and risk of falling. Please leave your phone / camera in a locker or with a spectator.

Yes, our Ice Skate Marshals are on the Ice Rink to monitor safe skating and will assist, when possible, if you are a novice.

We respectfully ask all skaters to listen to any instructions given by our Skate Marshals – they are there for everyone’s safety. Rude or abusive behaviour directed towards them may result in you being asked to leave the ice and no refund will be provided.

Yes, a first aider will be available to assist as required. There is also a dedicated area for anyone who may require first aid. In the event you or a member of your party should need first aid treatment, please alert a member of staff.

No, unfortunately we are not able to provide skating lessons.

The rink is not for professional use. Skating at high-speed, skating backwards and tricks will not be permitted as they may endanger not only yourself but other rink users as well.

Only assistance dogs will be permitted into the marquee and must remain on a lead in the spectator areas.

Please note when you book tickets for the ice rink you will automatically be subscribed to the Visit Cheltenham free fortnightly newsletter, which promotes local events and places to eat, drink, shop and stay in the area. You may unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time.

Please contact us via [email protected] or call us on 01242 384805.

Please note, the Cheltenham Ice Rink Instagram account and other social media channels are great to keep up to date with the latest Cheltenham ice rink news and giveaways, however all ticketing enquiries must be dealt with over phone/email and not via social media.