Southampton Christmas Ice Rink

Set against the majestic backdrop of the Civic Centre in the heart of the city, the temporary ice rink will provide an opportunity for people to glide on a real ice rink this winter and will form the centrepiece of the city's Christmas celebrations.

The 20m x 30m ice rink, which is brought to you by Cousins Entertainment Ltd and Southampton City Council, will have a capacity of 200 skaters at any one time. It will be open from Friday 21 November until Sunday 11 January, excluding Christmas Day.

Opening Times
Hourly sessions - including skate change from shoes to skates and back again
Sunday to Wednesday - 10.00am to 8.30pm
Thursday to Saturday - 10.00am to 9.30pm

Special Openings
Christmas Eve - 10.00am to 6.30pm
Christmas Day - Closed
Boxing Day – 11.00am to 8.30pm
New Years Eve – 10.00am to 8.30pm
New Years Day – 10.00am to 9.30pm

Price and Tickets
Each skating session will last for an hour (including skate change, from shoes to skates and back again).

Peak Prices - £8.50 adult, £6.50 children, students, concessions. Family Ticket £28.

Off Peak Prices - (Monday - Friday 10.00am until 3.00pm during term time) £6.50 adults, £4.50 children, students, concessions. Family Ticket £21.

Groups - Buy 10 tickets get one free.

Schools - £3.95 per child, teachers go free (Monday - Friday 10.00am until 3.00pm during term time)

Safety First!
IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT ICE SKATING CAN BE HAZARDOUS. ALL SKATERS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY SKATE AT THEIR OWN RISK. PLEASE READ THE SAFETY INFORMATION & CODE OF CONDUCT.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the ice rink still be open if it is raining?
The Ice Rink is open come rain or shine. So please dress according to the weather. On occasion there may be a layer of water on the ice surface, but this will not affect your skating although you may get wet if you fall over!

Is there a minimum age to use the ice rink?
Please note that there is a minimum age for children of 4 years old to go on the ice rink. 4 – 7 year olds must be accompanied onto the ice by an adult (18 years old and above) in skates. A maximum of 5 children per adult. We recommend for our evening sessions that children under age of 14 are accompanied by an adult (the adult need not be skating).

What clothes should I wear?
To make your visit as enjoyable as possible we recommend the following dress code:
Long socks – i.e. not trainer socks; trousers or tracksuit bottoms for male and female skaters, thin layers of clothing under a thick jumper or sweatshirt with a waterproof above; gloves, hats and scarves are also recommended – the scarf must be tucked in securely. Please note – 'hoodies' are not permitted to be worn up on the ice as they affect your all-round vision.

Should I wear sunglasses?
On sunny days it is recommended that you use sun block and sunglasses to help protect you from the glare and reflective nature of the white ice surface.

Do I need to bring my own skates?
Skate hire is FREE. If you wish to bring your own skates please ask a member of staff to check their condition and suitability for our rink. All of our skates are brand new, sharp (!) and ready to go. We can accommodate all sizes up to and including adult size 15. for our youngest skaters we go down to EU size 27.

I use a wheelchair; can I still use the ice rink?
Absolutely, wheelchair users are welcome to take to the ice and join in the fun in their own wheelchair. You must be accompanied by a responsible person, in skates when on the ice at all times.

Please note that:
• When booking your ticket please state you are a wheelchair user.
• Your session is free, only your skating companion will be charged.
• Upon arrival at the rink, Cousins Entertainment Ltd staff will assist you and your companion onto the ice via ramped access.

For your safety and enjoyment and to ensure that you get the most out of your visit, the sessions available are Monday – Friday, any session. For Health & Safety reasons for all concerned, weekend sessions will not be available.

Is there anywhere I can put my personal belongings while I skate?
Where possible please keep your personal belongings to a minimum. Any items left behind skate hire or in lockers (if provided) are left at the Owners Risk. No bags or rucksacks are allowed on the ice. The organisers accept no responsibility for any items which are left unattended.

Refund Policy
No refunds will be made unless Cousins Entertainment Limited have found it necessary to close the ice rink due to Health & Safety or technical concerns. On rainy days the rink will operate as normal and as an outdoor event, no refunds will be given for bad weather.

Leaflets can be picked up from the Civic Centre, Tourist Information Centre, Libraries, Leisure venues and Southampton Guildhall Box Office.

Dates

Southampton Christmans Ice Rink 1 Dec 2008 - 31 Dec 2008

Southampton Christmas Ice Rink 1 Jan 2009 - 11 Jan 2009

Road Directions

Car Park Closure
The Civic Centre Car Park will close completely for all vehicles, including motor cycles and disabled parking on Sunday 9 November and will reopen on Friday 23 January 2009. With the exception of emergency vehicles, this will become a completely pedestrian area. Alternative parking options for Civic guests, disabled drivers and visitors to Gateway will be signposted well in advance of the closure.

Disabled Parking
If you have a disabled persons badge you will be able to use the disabled persons parking bays situated in West Marlands Road. Badge holders may use any pay and display bay without charge provided the badge is clearly displayed in the vehicle, the nearest bays are immediately outside the Civic Centre in West Marlands Road and Commercial Road.

 Facilities

Provider Preferences

• In town/city centre
• Outdoor Event

Accessibility

• Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors

Children & Infants

• Family Friendly, Children Welcome

Establishment Features

• Prior Booking Recommended

Specialist Features

• Family Fun