Yes, Exeter usually has an ice rink as part of its festive offerings, typically at the Exeter Winter Wonderland in Northernhay Gardens, which runs alongside the Christmas Market, featuring an undercover real ice rink with skate hire, Santa's Grotto, rides, and festive food, with booking recommended for skating sessions.
With humble beginnings as an open-air Christmas market in Hyde Park, Winter Wonderland has since grown into an extravaganza with ice skating, shows, roller coaster rides, street food stalls, festive bars and live music.
Yes, Exeter has a popular seasonal undercover real ice rink called Icescape at Westpoint, which runs during the winter months (typically December to early January) at Westpoint Exeter and also hosts the Exeter Winter Wonderland with its own rink in Northernhay Gardens. Both offer skating sessions, skate hire, and themed events like disco nights, catering to families, adults, and toddlers.
🎄 Family deals at Exeter Winter Wonderland! ✨ Starting now, we're offering new family and group discounts for ice skating at the South West's BIGGEST real ice rink! ⛸️👀 ❄️Family of 4 for £40 ❄️£10 tickets for students ❄️£10 group tickets - and the organiser goes free!
Teaching a young kid to ice skate is fun for both parent and child. Although most children do not express an interest in ice skating until they are at least three years old, any child who can walk can technically learn to skate.
🎡EXETER WINTER WONDERLAND🎠CHRISTMAS MARKET🎢FAMILY FUN FAIR🎅🏻SANTA'S GROTTO🎄❄️ICE RINK⛸
Why is ice skating so expensive in the UK?
“The cost of the refrigeration is astronomical,” explained Ms Coombes, citing electricity bills of £3,500 per day just to keep the rink cold 24/7. And at Christmas, you're paying for more than just time on the ice.
Yes, for most beginners, ice skating is harder than roller skating. The thin blades, slippery surface, and technical control required make it a tougher skill to learn from scratch. But that doesn't mean it's not worth it!
Winter Wonderland (Hyde Park) is a polarizing attraction: it offers a great festive atmosphere, lights, and entertainment but is frequently criticized as overpriced, overcrowded, and too commercialized, with long queues and expensive food/rides, making its "worth" highly dependent on expectations, budget, and timing, with weekday mornings being the best bet for a better experience.
Obey the rink rules, which often include traveling in the same direction as other skaters; figure skating only in the center (or not at all); not making a chain of skaters; not wearing earphones; not carrying children; and not stopping along the walls. No bad language.
Yes, ice skating is excellent for weight loss as it's a fun, full-body workout that burns significant calories (300-600+ per hour) by engaging your legs, core, and glutes for balance and movement, boosting your metabolism, and combining aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Consistency and intensity are key, along with a healthy diet, to create the necessary calorie deficit for losing weight.
Yes, ice skating is hard for beginners because of balance challenges on slippery blades, but it's very achievable with practice; expect to fall, focus on bending your knees and maintaining good posture, and learn basic moves like the "snowplow stop" before trying anything advanced, with consistent practice making it much easier over time.
It's Never Too Late to Learn How to Ice Skate. Discover adult skating programs, beginner tips, and the joy of gliding at any age. Have you ever dreamed of gliding across the ice — but thought you missed your chance? Think again.
Although most children do not express an interest in ice skating until they are at least three years old, any child who can walk can technically learn to skate. If your child wants to begin learning, be sure to work carefully with them, teaching them both the technique and safety involved in ice skating.
Ice skating in the UK generally costs around £10-£18 for an adult and £7-£15 for a child, with prices varying significantly between venues, seasons (peak vs. off-peak), and if skate hire (£2-£4) is included. Family tickets and discounts for students, seniors, or early birds are often available, while skate aids (like penguins) usually add a few pounds.
