FAQ's - The Cheltenham Ice Rink

WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?

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

WHAT ARE YOUR OPENING DATES & TIMES?

Cheltenham Ice Rink will be open Friday 17 November 2023 daily, excluding Christmas Day, until Monday 1 January 2024.

Sunday – Wednesday: 10am – last session starts at 8pm

Thursday – Saturday: 10am – last session starts at 9.15pm

HOW CAN I BOOK AND WHAT DOES IT COST?

Tickets are now on sale here. Prices start from £11.50 for an adult (from 16 years), £10.50 for a *concession (see below), £9.50 for a child (3 - 15 years of age), £35 for a family ticket (2 adults + 2 children or 1 adult + 3 children) and a special discounted rate of £13 for pre-schoolers (1 adult and one under 5) on the following dates - 20 December, 10am - 11am. 

Group discounts are available for parties of 20 or more and must be booked via the Box Office by calling 01242 384805.

*Concession rates are available for: 65 years+, students (TOTUM card holders or other proof of student status accepted) and Blue Light Card holders.  You will be required to show proof of eligibility to rink staff when you arrive for your session. Discounts also available for schools and home educated families, full details below. 

HOW LONG IS THE SESSION ON THE ICE?

Each ice-skating session lasts for one hour (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. 

WILL IT BE BUSY?

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. 

HOW CAN WE TRAVEL TO CHELTENHAM ICE RINK?

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 Park and Ride facility.

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.

WHERE CAN I EAT NEAR CHELTENHAM ICE RINK?

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 for full details and our exclusive deals for ice rink ticket holders. 

WHO CAN SKATE?

Children must be at least 3 years old. All children aged 3 to 7 years old must be accompanied onto the ice by an adult (someone 18 years old and above) in skates, with a maximum of five children per adult. Children aged 7 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.

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!

IS THE RINK WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?

Yes, the rink is accessible, wheelchair users are welcome for all sessions however, must be accompanied onto the ice by a carer.  The wheelchair user will require a ticket - the carer is free of charge and do 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.

SHOULD I PRE-BOOK A SESSION OR CAN I TURN UP ON THE DAY?

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.

IF I CANNOT MAKE IT TO MY BOOKED SESSION, WILL I GET A REFUND?

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.

ARE LOCKERS AVAILABLE?

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

IS SKATE HIRE INCLUDED IN THE TICKET PRICE?

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

WHAT SIZE SKATES ARE AVAILABLE?

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.

CAN I BOOK A SKATE AID?

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.

CAN I BRING MY OWN SKATES?

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. 

ARE THERE TOILETS ON SITE?

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. 

DO YOU USE REAL ICE?

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.

WHAT HAPPENS IF ITS RAINING?

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

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

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.

CAN I TAKE PHOTOS ON THE ICE?

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. 

WILL THERE BE QUIETER OR RELAXED SESSIONS?

We expect our off-peak sessions, including weekdays 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 created some dedicated SEND sessions where the atmosphere will be quieter, relaxed and sensory friendly with fewer tickets will be sold. These will take place:

11am-12noon every Wednesday, 5.45-6.45pm Monday 11 December, 4.45-5.45pm - Wednesday 13 December, 10-11am Saturday 16 December

These sessions can be booked online here.

ARE THERE FAMILY SESSIONS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-SCHOOLERS?

Yes! We know that little ones enjoy being on the ice but might appreciate a quieter environment and we have created some dedicated pre-school sessions for skaters aged 3-5 years old. These will take place from 10-11am on Wednesdays 22 and 29 November and Wednesdays 6, 13 and 20 December.

The sessions cost £13 for one adult and one under 5-year old. These sessions can be booked online here.

ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL THEMED NIGHTS?

Yes! Join us on the ice for our special themed nights. 

Our last one, an 80s Night Special, takes place Thursday 21 December, 8 - 9pm.

We encourage fancy dress. The best dressed will win a voucher to enjoy a cocktail / or mocktail at The Quad. (Please wear ice skating appropriate fancy dress clothes, inc. gloves).

There's no extra cost for themed sessions, which can be booked the usual way - here. 

DO YOU OFFER CORPORATE PARTIES AND EXCLUSIVE HIRE?

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 can offer group booking discounts for groups of 20 or more, or you can go all out and hire the whole rink for your celebration.

Exclusive hire is available during off-peak sessions for £1,500 inc. VAT.  Each one-hour session can accommodate up to 200 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.

DO YOU OFFER SCHOOL BOOKINGS?

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:

For pupils aged 3 – 16 years old. Tickets cost £5 per pupil

Sessions can be booked on weekdays 10am – 2.15pm from 17th November until 21^st December.

One free adult / teacher per five paying children. £5 per skate aid (to be booked in advance).

School groups also can book the ice rink for exclusive use at a special rate. A one-hour session for up to 165 skaters is £912 inc. VAT and you can even choose your very own music!

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

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

DO YOU OFFER DISCOUNTS FOR HOME EDUCATED CHILDREN?

Yes, we invite home educated children and their parents to take advantage of special rates too: For pupils aged 4 years – 16 years old

Tickets cost £5.00 per pupil per session on weekdays 10am – 2.15pm from 17th November until 13th December.

One free adult per five paying children. 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]

DO YOU HAVE SKATE MARSHALS?

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

WILL THERE BE FIRST AIDERS ONSITE?

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.

DO YOU PROVIDE ICE SKATING LESSONS?

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

CAN I PERFORM TRICKS ON THE ICE?

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.

USE OF EMAIL

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

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

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.