Skate at the Royal Tunbridge Wells ice rink

Christmas is coming to Tunbridge Wells!

Friday 18 November 2016 to Monday 2 January 2017

Skating tickets: adults from £10.50, children from £7.00

Tickets on sale from 1 October at www.tunbridgewellsatchristmas.com or 01892 554645 or in person at the Assembly Hall Theatre Box Office.

The onsite ice rink Box Office opens on Friday 18 November.

A favourite festive destination, ice skating in Royal Tunbridge Wells offers something for skaters, shoppers and spectators across the season

From 18 November, Calverley Grounds will be transformed into a beautiful winter ice rink signalling the start of the festive season. Ice skating in Tunbridge Wells returns for 2016 with stylish skating, festive food and drink, music and Christmas cheer.

By day or night, visitors can skate in the beautiful splendour of Calverley Grounds’ amphitheatre, bathed in twinkling festive lights.

Supported by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, the 35 x 20 metre ice rink, with a capacity of up to 250 skaters, will be open seven days a week (closed Christmas Day). The ice rink welcomes skaters of all ages and abilities and is perfect for a family day out, a romantic first date, a festive office party or just a great fun night out with friends.

For those wishing to watch friends and family enjoying themselves, the spectator’s area is back, adjacent to the rink and offers a range of drinks and food.

Councillor Jane March, cabinet member with responsibility for Tourism, Leisure and Economic Development, said: ‘When the ice rink opens in Royal Tunbridge Wells, it is a sign that Christmas is coming! If you haven’t visited the rink in Calverley Grounds you really should, it is a lovely thing to do with a truly festive feel.’

Dedicated 30 minute parent and toddler session will take place every morning at 9.45 am to 10.15 am and 10.15 am to 10.45 am and midweek Monday to Friday at 2 pm (from Mon 21 November to Friday 16 December). These sessions cost from £7.00 – this allows one adult to skate with each toddler, seal skating aids are available.

Main skating sessions, will take place from 11 am until 9 pm – last skating session 8 pm. Please note the last skating session will be 5 pm on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Years Eve and New Year’s Day. The rink is closed on Christmas Day.

Booking for peak times is essential – Thursday and Friday evenings, all day Saturday and Sunday and Christmas week. Adult tickets cost from £10.50 and children’s tickets (aged four years and above) from £7.00. Family tickets, concessions and Go! Card tickets are also available. Ticket price includes hire of skating boots and lasts for 45 minutes. New this year is the Season Ticket, priced at £150 which allows unlimited skating across the whole six weeks.

Inside the ice rink marquee, Fuggles Beer Café will be selling real ale and craft beers, some Belgian classics and Christmas beers, alongside its famous mulled cider, mulled wine and a range of seasonal gins, wines and soft drinks. Fuggles Cafe provides the perfect spot to watch the skating whilst enjoying a festive drink inside the heated, indoor café. Open every evening Monday to Friday and all day weekends.

The basil café will be selling more festive goodies to feast on! From freshly ground coffee and specialty hot chocolate to delicious mulled wine and daily soup specialties – along with a fabulous selection of award winning cakes and bakes – including gluten free options. Keep an eye out this year for something new, something hot and something different.

There will be lots of other good food – Apple & Cor! is delighted to be at the ice rink for the second year. It will be serving a gourmet 16 hour BBQ smoked pulled pork brioche, gourmet steak burger brioche, gourmet jumbo sausage and onions served in a roll. For something sweeter why not try the homemade mince pies or apple strudel with a glass of mulled wine! The company does parties and corporate group rates and will need 24 hour notice, for further information please call 07808 338466 and speak to Ben.

And no family visit to the ice rink would be complete without a visit to Father Christmas. To book your tickets in advance or for further information and reviews go to www.fatherchristmasmarket.co.uk.

The Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Ice Rink is supported by AXA PPP, the Kent and Sussex Courier, Index Magazine and Heart.

#dwntwn