Can I buy tickets on arrival?

Yes, tickets can be purchased on arrival. However, to avoid disappointment, we strongly recommend booking online in advance, as sessions often sell out, especially during weekends and the Christmas holiday period.

Don't forget to reserve any skate aids, or Drinks and Cloakroom Packages you may need for your visit. Please note that these extras are subject to availability and may sell out during busy sessions.

Can I edit my booking?

If you created an account when making your booking, you can log in and amend your booking date or time yourself up to 24 hours before your session. All amendments are subject to availability.

If you booked as a guest and have made a genuine booking error, please contact us within 2 hours of your original purchase at gq@christmasicerinks.co.uk, and a member of the team will be happy to help.

Please note:

• Amendments are subject to availability.

• Amendments requested by customers who did not create an account will incur a 50% administration fee per booking.

• Unfortunately, refunds are not available.

I have lost my ticket

If you purchased your ticket online, we may be able to resend your e-ticket using the email address used when making your booking.

If we are unable to locate the booking, the Promoter cannot accept responsibility for lost booking details.

For physical tickets, the Promoter cannot accept responsibility for tickets that have been lost, stolen or damaged.

Before travelling, please check your booking confirmation carefully. Customers arriving without a valid ticket or booking confirmation may be refused entry.

Booking Information

We always recommend arriving at least 20 minutes before your scheduled session, or 30 minutes during peak periods, to allow plenty of time for check-in and skate fitting.

Advance online booking is strongly recommended, as many sessions sell out in advance.

Yes! We run a variety of themed skating sessions throughout the season, offering something for skaters of all ages.

Toddler skate sessions

Back by popular demand!

Our Toddler Skate Sessions are designed specifically for our youngest skaters and provide a calmer, quieter introduction to ice skating.

Each ticket includes admission for one adult and one child, with children's ages restricted to 3 to 5 years. Additional children can be booked using the Parent and Child Additional Child (3–5 Years) ticket option.

Session features include:

• A quieter and more relaxed skating environment.

• Ice grips provided for accompanying adults.

• Over-the-shoe skates (boots or wellington boots recommended) or full ice skates for children.

• Ice skates available from infant size 7 upwards.

• One Beluga Whale skate aid included per child.

Before heading onto the ice, children can collect a Beluga Whale skate aid in their preferred colour.

Our colourful Beluga Whale skate aids are perfect for young children who are learning to skate. They can be used for support whilst skating or sat on and pushed around the ice by an accompanying adult.

Please note:

• These sessions are exclusively for children aged 3 to 5 years and their parents or guardians.

• Children must be able to support their own weight when sitting or standing.

• There is a strict ratio of one adult to a maximum of two children.

• A maximum of one skate aid per child is included in the ticket price.

Sensory Friendly Sessions

Back by popular demand!

Our Sensory-Friendly Sessions are designed to provide a calmer and more comfortable skating environment for guests who may benefit from reduced sensory stimulation.

During these sessions:

• Capacity is reduced.

• Music is lowered or switched off.

• The rink environment is kept as calm and relaxed as possible.

Please note that the session immediately following a Sensory-Friendly Session will return to the standard operating format, with normal capacity levels and music reinstated.

Disco sessions

Back by popular demand!

This year we are running even more Disco Sessions at Gloucester Quays Ice Rink.

Enjoy skating to disco classics and feel-good hits from a variety of eras whilst gliding around the ice. These fun-filled sessions are perfect for anyone looking to combine skating with a great party atmosphere.

Disco Sessions take place on Thursday and Friday evenings. Please check the booking calendar for specific session times and availability.

Booking Information

We always recommend arriving at least 20 minutes before your scheduled session, or 30 minutes during peak periods, to allow plenty of time for check-in and skate fitting.

Advance online booking is strongly recommended, as many sessions sell out in advance.

We offer a Disabled/Wheelchair User Ticket for guests who may require additional support whilst visiting the Ice Rink.

Each Disabled/Wheelchair User Ticket includes one complimentary carer ticket, available to both children and adults. Please bring suitable proof of carer status with you.

Both manual and electric wheelchairs are welcome on the ice. Wheelchair users must be accompanied on the ice at all times by a carer, parent, guardian or responsible adult. Studded overshoes are available to help accompanying adults with grip and stability.

To book, simply select the Disabled/Wheelchair User Ticket, and the carer space will be added automatically.

For safety reasons, a maximum of six wheelchairs are permitted on the ice per session. If your group includes more than six wheelchair users, please contact beth@christmasicerinks.co.uk before booking.

As with all sessions, we recommend arriving at least 20 minutes before your session, or 30 minutes during peak periods.

For any additional accessibility requirements, please contact beth@christmasicerinks.co.uk and we'll be happy to help.

Yes! We welcome large groups and offer discounted rates for schools, clubs, charities and other organisations.

For group booking enquiries, please contact beth@christmasicerinks.co.uk for further information.

We also offer private hire options, subject to availability. The cost of private hire will vary depending on your preferred date, time and session requirements.

For private hire requests, we recommend contacting us as early as possible to discuss availability. A 20% deposit, or full payment where applicable, is required to secure a booking.

Yes. Ice skates are included in the price of your skating session at no additional cost.

You can either leave your shoes with us while you skate or provide a refundable deposit in exchange for your skates. Your shoes will be returned to you when you return your skates at the end of your session.

We stock skate sizes from Junior Size 7 through to Adult Size 16. For younger children, we also offer over-the-shoe bob skates, which feature two blades per skate to provide additional stability. We recommend wearing boots or wellington boots with bob skates. (bob skates are not suitable for children aged 5+)

Before heading onto the ice, please ensure your skates fit correctly. Ice skates are naturally stiff and should be fastened securely to provide the best support. If your skates feel unusually uncomfortable, please speak to a member of the Skate Exchange Team, who will be happy to exchange them free of charge.

For added comfort, we recommend wearing thick socks.

You are more than welcome to wear your own ice skates, and we will be happy to store your shoes in our Cloakroom free of charge. Please enquire when checking in.

Please note: The Promoter cannot accept responsibility for the loss, theft, damage or replacement of any shoes left in exchange for skates.

A Family Ticket is valid for four skaters and can be used for either of the following combinations:

• 2 Adults and 2 Children/Junior skaters, or

• 1 Adult and 3 Children/Junior skaters

Please note that skate aids are strictly for children aged 3-10 years. Junior ticket holders are not permitted to use skate aids.

Cloakroom storage is not included with Family Tickets and must be purchased separately if required.

We recommend arriving at least 20 minutes before your session start time, or 30 minutes during peak periods, to allow plenty of time for check-in and skate fitting.

All skating sessions last 45 minutes.

We recommend arriving at least 20 minutes before your session start time to allow plenty of time for check-in and skate fitting. During busy periods, weekends and school holidays, we recommend arriving 30 minutes early.

If you have already purchased your tickets, please proceed directly to the Skate Exchange building. You may be required to queue, so please ensure your e-ticket or booking confirmation is ready for inspection.

If you have purchased a Student Ticket, you must present a valid student ID when checking in. Failure to provide valid identification may result in the difference in ticket price being payable or entry being refused.

Once checked in, you will receive your skates and any skate aid tokens included with your booking. You will then be directed to the waiting area until your session begins.

Beluga Whale skate aids can be collected rinkside, in exchange for your skate aid token, at the start of your session.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Ice Rink and hope you enjoy your visit! ⛸️

There’s plenty to enjoy both on and off the ice!

• A fantastic selection of hot food, sweet treats and festive refreshments.

• A fully stocked event bar, serving hot drinks, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.

• A cloakroom facility located within the Skate Exchange building. Items are stored using a secure token system for the duration of your visit. Cloakroom storage costs £2.00 for up to two items.

• Our popular Games Hut

• A colourful children’s ride, perfect for younger visitors.

Facilities

Unfortunately, there are no toilet facilities located directly on-site.

The nearest public toilets, including accessible toilets, are located inside the Gloucester Quays Shopping Centre.

The nearest cash machine can be found on the ground floor of the shopping centre near Lifts/Stairwells A and B.

What About the Weather?

Our Ice Rink is an outdoor attraction and operates in most weather conditions.

The rink is covered by a canopy, providing additional protection from rain and adverse weather whilst still maintaining the atmosphere of an open-air skating experience.

We recommend dressing appropriately for the weather and wearing warm, comfortable clothing during your visit.

For safety reasons, children under the age of 3 are not permitted on the ice.

• Children aged 3 to 6 years must be accompanied on the ice by a paying adult, parent or guardian. For safety, we recommend a maximum ratio of two children to one adult.

• Children aged 7 to 9 years may skate without an adult on the ice but must be supervised from the rinkside viewing area at all times.

• Children aged 10 to 13 years must have a responsible adult present on site throughout their visit.

• Guests aged 14 years and over do not require an accompanying adult.

Adults supervising children on the ice may choose to wear studded overshoes instead of skates. Please note that standard admission charges still apply.

For our youngest skaters, we also offer our popular Toddler Skate Sessions, which provide a calmer and more relaxed introduction to ice skating.

Rink Rules and Do's and Don'ts

To help ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience, all skaters must follow the rink rules below. These rules are displayed on our rinkside Do's and Don'ts signage and are enforced by our Ice Marshals and Management Team.

• Mobile phone use is not permitted whilst skating on the ice.

• Large bags are not permitted on the ice. Cloakroom facilities are available for £2.00.

• The rink is designed as a public leisure rink for skaters of all ages and abilities and is not intended for professional training or performance use.

• Skating at excessive speeds is not permitted.

• Backwards skating, tricks and acrobatic manoeuvres are not permitted during standard public skating sessions.

• Weaving through other skaters, horseplay and skating in chains of more than three people is not permitted.

• Skaters must not carry other skaters whilst on the ice.

• Skate aids are for children aged 3 to 10 years only. Children may either stand behind the skate aid for support or sit facing forwards with their feet flat on the ice whilst being pushed by another skater.

• All skaters must skate in an anti-clockwise direction.

• All skaters must be considerate and aware of other participants at all times.

• All skaters must follow the instructions and directions given by Ice Rink staff.

• Skaters should take extra care when entering and leaving the ice rink.

Our Ice Rink is open from 19th November 2026 until 3rd January 2027. Please check our booking calendar for available dates and session times.

Tickets can be purchased online through this website or at the Skate Exchange on arrival. However, we strongly recommend booking in advance, as many sessions sell out during busy periods.

Location

Gloucester Quays Ice Rink
 Orchard Square
 The Docks
 Gloucester
 GL1 2EH

Parking

Gloucester Quays offers a multi-storey car park with approximately 1,400 spaces.

The car park is accessed via St Ann Way (GL1 5SF). Standard parking charges apply.

Public Transport

For bus routes and public transport information, please contact Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 or visit their website for the latest journey information.

Cycling

Gloucester Quays provides bicycle racks at various locations across the site, including:

• St Ann Way

• The Car Park Rotunda

• Baker Street

• Merchants Road (near Côte Brasserie)

• Llanthony Road (near TGI Fridays)

Please note:

• Bicycles must not be wheeled through the internal shopping mall.

• All bicycles are left at the owner's risk.

• Bicycles secured in unauthorised locations may be removed.

Arrival Times

We recommend arriving at least 20 minutes before your session start time, and 30 minutes before your session during busy periods, weekends and school holidays.

Late arrivals may still be permitted to join their session; however, additional skating time cannot be provided once the session has finished. Arriving early will help ensure you can enjoy the full 45-minute skating experience.

Yes! Our colourful Beluga Whale skate aids are perfect for younger children who are learning to skate. Children can either use them for support whilst skating or sit on them whilst being pushed around the ice by a parent, guardian or accompanying adult.

To guarantee a skate aid for children aged 3 to 10 years, we strongly recommend booking in advance, as numbers are limited.

In the interests of fairness, skate aids are only available to book with a Family Ticket, Child Ticket or Toddler Session Ticket, and are limited to a maximum of two skate aids per booking.

Subject to availability, skate aids may also be hired on the day for £5.00 each.

If you have any questions or require further information, please contact the Ice Rink Team at gq@christmasicerinks.co.uk.

As this is an outdoor activity, we strongly recommend dressing appropriately for the weather and being prepared for changing conditions.

For the most comfortable skating experience, we recommend:

• Wearing long, thick socks.

• Wearing gloves.

• Dressing in several thin layers rather than one thick layer.

• Wearing waterproof clothing where possible.

• Bringing your own safety equipment, such as a helmet, knee pads or wrist guards if desired.

We also have a limited number of helmets available free of charge, subject to availability. Please enquire at check in.

Can I Bring My Own Skates?

Yes, you are welcome to bring and use your own ice skates.

Customers using their own skates are entitled to one complimentary cloakroom space for up to two items, which can be used to store shoes, a skate bag and personal belongings during their visit.

Cloakroom Facilities

We operate a cloakroom facility within the Skate Exchange using a secure token system.

• Cloakroom storage costs £2.00 for up to two items. Oversized items will require additional cloakroom costs.

• Items can be stored for the duration of your skating session.

• If you lose your cloakroom token, please speak to a member of the Management Team immediately.

Please note that skaters exit the rink from a different location than they enter. As a result, there is no alternative storage area available unless a friend or family member is remaining in the viewing area with your belongings.

Cloakroom Liability

The Promoter cannot accept responsibility for the loss, theft or damage of any property or items left in the cloakroom.

We strongly recommend wearing appropriate safety equipment whilst skating, including a helmet, knee pads and wrist guards where appropriate.

You are welcome to bring your own helmet, including a bicycle helmet, provided it fits correctly and is in good condition.

We also have a limited number of helmets, suitable for both children and adults, available free of charge on request and subject to availability.

If you would like to borrow a helmet, simply ask a member of staff when you arrive.

If you created an account when making your booking, you can log in and amend your booking date and time yourself up to 24 hours before your scheduled session, subject to availability.

If you checked out as a guest or purchased your tickets at the Ice Rink, please contact gq@christmasicerinks.co.uk. Amendments requested by customers who did not create an account will incur a 50% administration fee per booking and are subject to availability.

We recommend arriving at least 20 minutes before your session, and 30 minutes during busy periods, to allow enough time for check-in and skate fitting.

If you arrive late, you may still be allowed onto the ice; however, additional skating time cannot be provided once your session has ended, so arriving early is important to enjoy the full session.

Refunds

Unfortunately, all tickets are non-refundable, and all sales are final.

Refunds will only be issued if a session or event is cancelled by the Ice Rink and no suitable alternative session can be offered.

Yes, we do! 🎉

Our popular Ice Rink Birthday Party Packages are back and offer a fun, memorable and stress-free way to celebrate a special day on the ice.

What's Included?

⛸️ 45 Minutes of Skating
 Enjoy a full skating session with friends and family.

🐳 Beluga Whale Skate Aids
 Available for all children who would like extra support on the ice.

🎈 Dedicated Party Host
 A party host will be on hand to help your celebration run smoothly from start to finish.

🦌 Birthday Child Bonus

• Birthday shout-out during the skating session

☕ Treats for Everyone

• A deluxe hot chocolate or soft drink for each child

• One complimentary hot drink for the birthday child's parent or guardian

Pricing

£16 per child
 Minimum group size: 10 children

Additional adult skaters can be added for £13 per person. 

Age and Supervision Guidelines

Our recommended supervision ratios are:

• Children under 3 years old are not permitted on the ice.

• Children aged 3 to 6 years must be accompanied on the ice by an adult, parent or guardian. We recommend a maximum of two children per adult.

• Children aged 7 to 9 years may skate without an adult on the ice but must be supervised from the rinkside viewing area.

• Children aged 10 to 13 years must have a responsible adult present on site.

• Guests aged 14 years and over do not require an accompanying adult.

For all party packages, one accompanying adult space will be complimentary. 

Adults accompanying children on the ice may choose to wear studded overshoes instead of skates.

Interested in Booking?

Make this birthday one to remember with a celebration full of winter magic, fun and great memories.

To enquire or book, please contact:

beth@christmasicerinks.co.uk 🎂⛸️🎄

Absolutely!

We offer a fantastic selection of hot food, sweet treats and festive refreshments to keep you fuelled throughout your visit.

Our fully licensed event bar serves a wide range of drinks, including:

• Hot drinks and soft drinks

• Deluxe Cadbury's Hot Chocolate

• Lager on draught

• Warming mulled wine and mulled cider

• A selection of other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

Looking for an extra treat? Adults can add a shot of Baileys to their hot chocolate for the perfect festive indulgence.

Don't forget to ask about our Drinks and Cloakroom Package, which offers great value for families and groups. For £20, you get 4 x cloakroom spaces, and 4 x drinks to enjoy after skating. (Draft pint, Hot chocolate, Mulled wine, soft drink, or small wine only. No alcohol to be consumed before ice skating)

Whether you're warming up after a skate or simply enjoying the festive atmosphere, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

During weekends and the Christmas holiday period, the Ice Rink can be particularly busy.

If you have young children, are new to skating, feel a little nervous on the ice, or would simply prefer a quieter experience, we recommend booking a weekday daytime session where attendance is often lower. Please note that quieter sessions cannot be guaranteed.

If you would prefer a session with reduced capacity, take a look at our popular Sensory-Friendly Sessions, which are designed to provide a calmer skating environment. These run with no music or flashing lights, they also have a lower capped capacity.

If your child is aged 3 to 5 years, we also recommend our Toddler Skate Sessions, which offer a quieter and more relaxed introduction to ice skating.

Whichever session you choose, we recommend booking in advance, particularly during busy periods, to avoid disappointment.

Our Ice Rink is an outdoor attraction and operates in most weather conditions. The rink is covered by a canopy, providing additional protection from rain and adverse weather whilst still maintaining the atmosphere of an open-air skating experience.

Surface water on the ice, caused by wind, warm temperatures or inclement weather, is completely normal and does not generally affect the ability to skate. However, customers may get wet if they fall, so we recommend dressing appropriately for the weather and bringing a change of clothing if desired.

The Skate Exchange area is also undercover for your comfort and convenience.

Unfortunately, refunds cannot be offered due to weather conditions. However, if the Ice Rink is forced to close for safety reasons, alternative skating sessions will be offered wherever possible.

Weather conditions are monitored closely throughout the season. High winds, snow, ice and unusually warm temperatures can all affect the operation of the Ice Rink. In extreme weather conditions, the Promoter may decide to delay, suspend or cancel skating sessions in the interests of customer and staff safety.

If a session needs to be cancelled, updates will be published on our website and social media channels. Customers who have booked online will also be notified by email where possible.

As we always try to keep the Ice Rink operating wherever it is safe to do so, decisions regarding weather-related closures are often made as close to the session time as possible.

If you are travelling a significant distance and are concerned about the weather, please contact us before setting off by emailing gq@christmasicerinks.co.uk or via our social media channels.

If you discover that you have lost a personal item during your visit, please report it to a member of staff or the Duty Manager as soon as possible.

We retain lost property recovered on site for a limited period and will make every reasonable effort to reunite items with their owners.

If an item matching your description is located, we will contact you and arrange for its return where possible.

Please note that the Management Team and Promoter cannot accept responsibility for the loss, theft or damage of personal belongings, however caused.

Lost property that remains unclaimed after 14 days may be disposed of or donated at the discretion of the Ice Rink.

If you believe you have lost an item during your visit, please contact us at gq@christmasicerinks.co.uk with a detailed description of the item and the date and time of your visit.

The safety and wellbeing of our customers and staff is our top priority. To help ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience, we have a number of safety and security measures in place:

• We encourage all skaters to wear appropriate safety equipment, including helmets. You are welcome to bring your own helmet, and a limited number of helmets are also available free of charge on request.

• CCTV operates throughout the site for safety and security purposes.

• Mobile phones must not be used whilst skating on the ice.

• The Ice Rink is designed as a public leisure rink for skaters of all ages and abilities. Excessive speed, backwards skating, tricks, acrobatic manoeuvres, weaving through other skaters, horseplay and skating in chains of more than three people are not permitted during public sessions.

• Skaters must not carry other skaters whilst on the ice.

• Children under the age of 3 years are not permitted on the ice. 

  • Children aged 3 to 6 years must be accompanied on the ice by a paying adult, parent or guardian.

  • Children aged 7 to 9 years may skate without an adult on the ice but must be supervised from the rinkside viewing area.

  • Children aged 10 to 13 years must have a responsible adult present on site.

  • Guests aged 14 years and over do not require an accompanying adult.

• A cloakroom facility is available for £2.00 for up to two items. Items left elsewhere around the rink are left entirely at the owner's risk.

• Smoking, vaping and the use of e-cigarettes are not permitted within the Skate Exchange building or any covered area. Smoking whilst on the ice is strictly prohibited.

• Schools, clubs and organised groups should carry out their own risk assessments prior to attending.

Ice Skating and Risk

Ice skating is a sporting activity and, like all sports, carries an element of risk. Ice is a slippery surface and slips, trips, falls and collisions can occur.

To help manage these risks, we have trained Ice Marshals on duty throughout skating sessions and a professional medical team available on site. Where required, Ice Marshals will assess incidents and request medical assistance.

A dedicated medical room is available on site should treatment be required.

By participating, skaters acknowledge that they understand the risks associated with ice skating, including falls, collisions with other skaters, contact with objects or structures, and other risks inherent to the activity.

All participants take part voluntarily and do so at their own risk.

Liability

The Promoter cannot accept responsibility for injury, loss, damage or accidents except where liability cannot be excluded by law.

All skaters are expected to follow rink rules, act responsibly and comply with instructions given by Ice Marshals and Management at all times.

For further information, please contact the Site Manager at beth@christmasicerinks.co.uk.

We accept most major debit and credit cards. Cash payments can also be made at the ice rink, subject to availability.

Our Drinks and Cloakroom Package offers great value for families and groups visiting the Ice Rink.

For £20, the package includes:

• 4 cloakroom spaces

• 4 drinks vouchers

Each drinks voucher can be exchanged for one of the following:

• A draft pint

• A hot chocolate

• A mulled wine

• A soft drink

• A small glass of wine

The package can be purchased alongside your skating tickets and is a convenient way to store your belongings and enjoy a festive drink during your visit.

Please note that all drinks vouchers are subject to the venue's licensing rules, and proof of age may be required where appropriate. No alcohol to be consumed before ice skating. Any skaters found to be under the influence will not be permitted on to the session.  🍷☕⛸️