With only 43 days until Christmas, we’ve started to fill our diaries with festive lunches, shopping marathons, and trips to some of the UK’s best ice rinks. Strapping on your skates is the perfect way to kickstart your Christmas spirit, especially if you refuel with a delicious dinner afterwards! Here are some of our favourite ice rinks and our top tips for where to eat nearby.
Ice Skate Birmingham – 14th November 2015 – 10th January 2016
Situated close to the Frankfurt Christmas Market, Birmingham’s ice rink can accommodate 300 people at any one time! There are penguin skating aids to keep the kids upright and an Ice Lounge where the grown-ups can enjoy mulled wine and cider. For dinner, try Fleet Street Kitchen for deli boards and chargrilled meats, Lasan for some of the best Indian food in town, and Pasta di Piazza for a family-friendly feast.
Ice Skating at Hampton Court Palace, Surrey – 20th November 2015 – 3rd January 2016
Skate on the banks of the Thames in front of King Henry VIII’s magnificent palace, which is 500 years old this year. Book in advance to dine at award-winning restaurants like The French Table, Retro Bistrot and The Foresters – they’re all only a short drive away.
Glasgow on Ice, Glasgow –27th November – 31st December 2015
Glasgow on Ice returns to George Square this year for five weeks of skating, fairground rides and festive fun. You can warm up nearby with pizza and cocktails at SoHo, curries at Café India, or superb steaks at Alston Bar & Beef. For a real treat, head to Hutchesons and splash out on the Chateaubriand for two to share.
Skate at Somerset House, London – 18 November 2015 – 10 January 2016
Skate in the splendour of the stunning Somerset House courtyard, just a stone’s throw from Covent Garden. There are lots of great restaurants within walking distance, from grand brasseries like The Delaunay and Balthazar to iconic dining destinations like J Sheekey and The Savoy Grill. For something a little more casual, there’s Champagne + Fromage, Big Easy and Flesh & Buns.
Manchester Ice Rink – 12th November 2015 – 3rd January 2016
Located just over the bridge from Spinningfields, the Manchester Ice Rink is perfect for a family day out or an evening of skating with friends. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, cross the bridge for tapas at Iberica or turn skate night into date night with a special meal at Hawksmoor or Quill.
Princes Street Gardens Ice Rink, Edinburgh – 20th November 2015 – 4th January 2016
After a trip to Santa’s Grotto or a ride on the Big Wheel, get your skates on and take a turn around Edinburgh’s glittering ice rink. You can refuel afterwards with French favourites at Café St Honoré or enjoy modern Scottish cooking at WHISKI Rooms or Angels with Bagpipes.
Royal Pavilion Ice Rink, Brighton – 7th November 2015 – 17th January 2016
With the former Royal Pavilion palace as a backdrop, this is one of the most beautiful ice rinks in the UK. There are lots of places to eat nearby, including British bar-restaurant No 32 and award-winning vegetarian eatery, Food for Friends. OpenTable diners also love the authentic Indonesian dishes at Warung Tujuh and GB1 at the Grand Hotel for fresh fish and oysters on the seafront.
Eyeskate, London – 14th November 2015 – 3rd January 2016
After checking out the Southbank Winter Market, you can skate in style at the huge riverside rink beneath the London Eye. The excellent Skylon is only a stroll away or you can cross the bridge for supper at Terroirs, The Strand Dining Rooms, or The Ivy Market Grill.
Looking for the perfect festive lunch spot or somewhere to dine on Christmas Day? Try a search on OpenTable or ask our experts – we’re only a tweet away…
