Our guide to the top 10 ice rinks worldwide
From Yorkshire to Dubai, here is a look at the best ice rinks around the world where you should get your skates on
As Christmas season approaches, ice rinks across the country will have been popping up for festive events.
Here we have a run down of 10 of the best skating arenas around the world where you can enjoy the seasonal past time.
London
LONDON has at least eight Christmas ice rinks this year including Somerset House, the Tower of London and the Natural History Museum, as well as Hampton Court and two at Canary Wharf.
Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is our pick.
It is the largest open-air rink in the UK and is surrounded by all the Christmassy fun you could possibly want.
There are rides and games, food and drink, the chance to visit Santa and the circus.
PLAY: London Winter Wonderland is open from now until January 2.
Skate from £9.50 per adult and £7.50 per child.
For more info see .
STAY: The 4H Corus Hotel Hyde Park has rooms from £108 per night.
See
New York
ICE skating in Central Park is a must-do if you visit the Big Apple during the colder months.
The Wollman rink in the southern part of the park has been welcoming seasonal skaters since 1949.
Movie fans will recognise it from New York classics such as Love Story and Serendipity.
If you’re unsteady on your feet there are even lessons available.
PLAY: Open from now until April.
Tickets are £9 on the gate or you can buy them in advance – including entrance to Top of the Rock observation deck in the Rockefeller Center – for £38 per person.
See .
STAY: The Courtyard by Marriott Manhattan/Central Park has doubles from £136.
See .
Yorkshire
McARTHUR Glen York Designer Outlet is hosting a Winter Wonderland, so you can do all your Christmas shopping at bargain prices then have a great time on real vintage fairground rides and some warming mulled wine.
PLAY: Ice Factor is open until January 2.
Skate from £10.45 for adults and £9.45 for children.
Call 01653 619 169 or see .
STAY: The Park Inn by Radisson York City Centre is from £85 per room per night including breakfast.
See .
Vienna
IT doesn’t get much more festive than Vienna Christmas World.
Candles adorn the entrance and this year, spectacular lighting will hang on trees along Ringstrasse Boulevard making the whole area glow.
PLAY: For the first time, visitors can skate through the park over two large ice rinks and along numerous paths.
Open daily until Boxing Day, from £6.
STAY: Fleming’s Deluxe Hotel is close to the rink and has rooms from £150, including breakfast with free mini-bar and wifi.
See .
Brighton
WITH the Royal Pavilion as the backdrop, the ice rink has a magical feel thanks to its beautiful lighting at night.
There is also a huge rink-side bar and restaurant.
PLAY: The Royal Pavilion Ice Rink is open until January 15.
Skate from £10 for adults and £7 for children.
See .
STAY: At the My Brighton Hotel.
The Winter Indulgence Package costs from £109 per night for a double room (minimum stay two nights).
Includes breakfast and welcome drinks.
See .
Amsterdam
THROUGHOUT the winter, you can get your skates on at Ice Amsterdam at the Museumplein with the Rijksmuseum as a stunning backdrop.
PLAY: As well as the traditional skating, try human icebowling with a sled, a person and a dozen cones.
From Dec 17 – 30 the ice rink will be joined by a traditional Christmas market.
Open until February.
Tickets from 4.5euros (£3.80) at .
STAY: Two nights room-only at the 4H Hampshire Hotel The Manor, with flights from Luton on December 13, is from £116 per person at .
Cornwall
CHRISTMAS is a magical time to visit the Eden Project.
The site is lit from twilight, and new for this year is a Festival of Light and Sound.
As darkness falls, light projections, music and colour will transform the biodomes.
PLAY: The eco-haven’s indoor ice rink is open from now until February 19.
Tickets are £7 for adults, £6 for children or £24 for family of four.
See .
STAY: Weekend breaks at the Retallack Resort start from £258.
Call 01637 882 500 or see.
Winchester
THIS rink has the best of both worlds – it’s outside, but covered by a clear roof so you can avoid the rain but enjoy the stars.
And, of course, it’s next to the beautiful Winchester Cathedral.
There is a rink-side café where you can get prosecco or you can use the cathedral refectory.
PLAY: The ice rink is open from now until January 2.
Skate from £10.95 for adult.
Child prices start at £6.50.
See .
STAY: Rooms at the Holiday Inn Winchester are from £90, with breakfast.
See .
Dubai
IT may seem daft to think of ice skating in one of the hottest destinations on Earth, but Dubai never fails to surprise.
If you fancy combining your skate with the chance to simply step outside to warm up in blazing sunshine, the ice rink at the Dubai Mall is for you.
There’s also a Village Market, complete with elves’ arts and crafts workshop.
PLAY: The 105-minute sessions are from £13.
See.
STAY: The Al Murooj Rotana is right opposite the Dubai Mall.
Rooms are from £136.
See .
Edinburgh
EDINBURGH’S rink is all the way around the Melville Monument in St Andrew Square.
And there is loads of festive fun going on all over the capital, from a big wheel to a Christmas tree maze and a Scottish market with local crafts, food and drink.
PLAY: The Edinburgh Ice Rink is open from now until January 7.
Skate from £9 for adults and £5 for children.
See .
STAY: Rooms at the Mercure Edinburgh City Princess Street Hotel start at £68.
For more information or to book, see .