Outdoor Ice Rinks in Britain
If your pond or lake is yet to freeze over, get your skates on and head to one of Britain's dazzling outdoor ice rinks, says Anna Tyzack
Dates are for December 2006 - January 2007
London
Greenwich Ice Rink
December 2 - January 14
The Old Royal Naval College provides a backdrop for Greenwich's ice rink.
Book tickets here
Somerset House Ice Rink November 22 - January 28
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A long standing favourite for winter ice skating, Somerset House's courtyard is turned into one Britain's most scenic outdoor ice rinks. Open 10am - 10pm
Book tickets here or call: 0870 1451163
Kew Gardens Ice Rink
November 25 - January 7
Surrounded by trees bedecked with fairy lights, the Kew Gardens Ice Rink is pretty as a picture.
Book tickets here or call: 0870 4000601
Hampstead Heath Ice Rink
December 2 - January 14
The Hampstead Heath Ice Rink at Parliament Hill Fields is returning for a second year.
Book tickets here or call: 0870 0601792
Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink December 2 - January 14
Ice skating within the grounds of Henry VIII's splendid palace.
Book tickets here or call: 0870 0601778
Natural History Museum Ice Rink November 9 - January 21 In the grounds of the Natural History Museum this winter, offering the chance to enjoy open air ice skating in a grand London setting.
Book tickets here or call: 0870 4000601
Royal Windsor Ice Rink December 2 - January 14
Alexandra Gardens is transformed into a giant outdoor ice rink. From 10am to 10pm. Alexandra Gardens, Windsor.
Buy tickets here or call: 0870 169 6892
Rest of Britain
Exeter Ice Rink
December 2 - January 14
Bampfylde Street (next to the Exeter Bus Station)
Tickets: 01392 265885
Taunton Ice Rink
December 7 - January 2
Next to the Brewhouse Theatre.
Buy tickets here or call: 0845 1302773
Warwick Castle Ice Rink
December 11 - January 3
Warwick Castle doesn't just have an ice rink this year, but a 60 metre ice slide, below the Castle's dramatic towers and ramparts.
Tickets: 0870 442 2375
Plymouth Ice Rink
November 18 - January 2
The West Country's largest ice rink. Tickets: 01752 765500
Manchester Ice Rink
November 17 - January 17
Manchester's Piccadilly Gardens is boasting a brand-new outdoor skating rink complete with an Ice Bar this winter. Tickets: 0870 066 6840
Edinburgh Ice Rink
November 24 - January 7
Princes Street Gardens will once again host Edinburgh's Winter Festival and one of Britain's largest outdoor ice rinks.
Tickets: 0131 622 6552
Glasgow Ice Rink
November 25 - December 24
Glasgow's George Square will be turned into a grand ice skating palace with mulled wine to thaw out chilled skaters.
Tickets: 0141 566 4983
Skating in Cornwall
November 5 - February 25
The Eden Project's winter festival boasts the region's first open-air ice rink.
Tickets: 01726 811972
Norwich Ice Rink
November 11 - January 7
Tickets: 01603 212212
Cardiff Ice Rink
November 16 - January 7
Skating al fresco in front of Cardiff City Hall.
Tickets: 02920 872 087
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