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

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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