Hyde Park Winter Wonderland opens along with ice rinks across the UK

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland has the X Factor – according to Simon Cowell who joined a host of celebs at the opening of its 10th anniversary year.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Simon, his partner Lauren Silverman and son Eric enjoyed the fun with Laura Whitmore, Eva Longoria, Tom Daley, Ella Eyre, Anton Du Beke, Nick Grimshaw, Anais Gallagher, Rafferty Law and Mel C.

New attractions include The Nutcracker on Ice featuring world-class skating in a new indoor venue, the Winter Palace Theatre, the all new Arctic Adventure at The Magical Ice Kingdom and family favourite The Sooty Christmas Show.

Other attractions in the park until January 2 include the UK’s largest outdoor Ice Rink, Zippos Circus and Cirque Berserk, Giant Observation Wheel, The Bavarian Village and over 200 chalets in the Christmas market.

Ice rinks are opening up all over the UK for Christmas and New Year family fun.

Take a look at one near you…

ice rinks across Britain

Cardiff
Cardiff has an open air rink and new Bierkeller Bar serving tasty mulled wine and an array of seasonal Welsh produce in its Winter Wonderland. Open until January 3 and, being outside the Civic Centre, it is in a perfect position to also do some Xmas shopping. Adult £9.50, child from £6.50. Picture: Betina Skovbro Photography
See www.cardiffswinterwonderland.com

ice rinks across Britain

Edinburgh
Not just one great rink but two! Nestled under the stunning Scott Monument and giant big wheel, the East Princes Street ice rink, is set among the bustling European Market.
The ice rink in St Andrew Square Gardens is a sparkling unique addition, circumnavigating the iconic Melville Monument, complete with bridges and a circular bar at its foot. Sessions between 30 and 45 minutes. Open until January 7. Prices: from £5.
See www.thisisedinburgh.com

ice rinks across Britain

Newquay, Cornwall
Tucked nicely behind the Esplanade Hotel, in a Winter Wonderland setting, visitors can skate with their familes and then have delicious food and drink before or after walking along the north rugged coast of Cornwall. The Esplanade Hotel is overlooking the UK’s most renowned surfing beaches, Fistral. Until January 11. Adult £6, under 12s £4.
See www.newquay-hotels.co.uk

ice rinks across Britain

Eden Project
Around 100,000 skaters per year have sharpened their skills at Eden in Bodelva, Cornwall, since the ice first set in the winter of 2004. Once again, there are sessions to suit everyone from twirling toddlers to pirouetting seniors until February 19. Adult from £3.50, child from £3.
See www.edenproject.com

ice rinks across Britain

Newcastle upon Tyne
Take a whirl on the open air rink in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne, perfect for a romantic date or a skate with mates! Whether you are meeting up with friends, or skating with family Skating@Life is great fun.
Open every day until February 26 (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day). Adult from £9, child from £7.
See www.life.org.uk

ice rinks across Britain

Somerset House
Skate at Somerset House with Fortnum & Mason off London’s Victoria Enbankment, is set in the beautiful splendour of the neoclassical courtyard. The famous rink is open until January 15. From £7.50. Club nights and skate school tickets also available.
See www.somersethouse.org.uk

ice rinks across Britain

Westfield London
The capital’s coolest indoor ice rink returns to Westfield London in the grand Atrium event space. Beautifully illuminated after dark, it makes a spectacular nighttime destination. Themed sessions, and ‘bumper sessions’ during off peak hours, where you can skate for as long as you want from 12 noon until 4pm for the price of a single ticket. Open from November 24 to January 8. Adult from £10.50, child from £8.50, family from £31.50.
See uk.westfield.com

ice rinks across Britain

Bournemouth
Skate under the trees in Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens. Blankets, mulled cider and food in the Après-Skate chalet. Open until January 3. Adult from £9, child from £8.
See www.makeitbournemouth.co.uk

ice rinks across Britain

Nottingham
Festive outdoor ice skating is at the heart of Nottingham Winter Wonderland this Christmas. Enjoy live music at the traditional bandstand, wander the Victorian styled market cabins or pay a visit to a bar selling mulled wine, spiced cider and other hot toddies. Open until January 8. Adult (12 and over) £9.50, Under 15s £8.50, Under 12s £7.50.
See www.nottinghamwinterwonderland.co.uk

ice rinks across Britain

Lincoln
An outdoor ice rink in the heart of the beautiful cathedral city. Perfect for an evening with friends or family day out. Penguin-shaped aids are also available to help introduce children to skating. Open November 26 to January 1. Adult £7.50, Concessions (under 17 and 60+): £5.50
See Visit Lincoln

ice rinks across Britain

Winchester
The open-air ice rink is set against the magnificent backdrop of Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire, and one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. Open until January 2. Adult £10.95, child £8.95, 4-7 £6.50.
See www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk/christmas/ice-rink

ice rinks across Britain

Bath
One of the best Christmas ice rinks in the South West – set in the spectacular parkland setting of Royal Victoria Park beneath the world famous Royal Crescent in central Bath. Open until January 3, visitors can also enjoy the Ice Lounge, a hospitality and catering serving a range of food and drinks alongside the rink. Adult from £8.75, under 16 from £7.25.
See www.bathonice.com

 

 

 

ice rinks across Britain

York
The rink at Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland at ‪York Designer Outlet is ideal if you want little ones to learn to skate. You can hire special ice shoes as well as stabiliser Bobo the Penguin, who is joined by more of his friends this year, for £2 per session. Yorkshire Winter Wonderland runs until January 3. Adult £10.45, child £9.45, family from £27.
See www.yorkshireswinterwonderland.com

ice rinks across Britain

Birmingham
Ice Skate is in the iconic Centenary Square, just along from the Frankfurt Christmas Market. With more than 600 square meters of ice, 220 people can skate at any one time. Until January 8, adult £9.25, child £7.25.
See www.iceskatebirmingham.co.uk

ice rinks across Britain

Manchester
This year the rink is in the courtyard of the old London Road Fire Station as part of the Winter Gathering, a magical winter experience featuring street food stalls, bars, markets, an art gallery and a programme of live music and DJs. Until January 8, adult £15, child £12.
See Manchester Ice Rink