REVIEW: Winter Skating @ Pavilion Ice Rink

Winter Skating at the Pavilion Ice Rink

If you didn’t get time to go in the rush before Christmas then you still have two weeks left to grab a session on what must be the countries prettiest Ice Rink. The Royal Pavilion rink is open until the evening of the 15^th January, all day and all weekend, with special sessions for families and a reduced rate before 5pm each day.

Once the sun’s gone down the rink transforms into a winter wonderland par excellence, with the Pavilion lit up and the rink lights themselves done with panache.  This year (at last) they have built a small side rink, entirely separate form the main rink, for children, with those delightful penguins skating aids which the youngsters love.  It’s a supervised rink and perfect for the little ones who want to try to the ice but are a little scared by all the adults whizzing around.   Especially the big hulking camp ones like me, who swirl and whirl with an intoxicating elegance like a hippo on blades….

For details of the rink see here

If you’re one of those adults who like to glide around, like me, then I’d recommend you get down and if you’re inspired after going along to the stunning Holiday on Ice show at the Brighton Centre this week (running till Sunday 8^th, book tickets here) , then an early evening session in the week or weekend is the perfect January pick you up.  When it’s cold and dry the place is perfect, a few goes around the ice will soon warm you up and the very friendly staff keep an eye on everyone to make sure the rink is a pleasure (and safe) for everyone who is on the ice, whatever their talents.

If you’re an enthusiastic amateur on the ice then there’s an easy to understand ‘learn to skate’ video provided by the rink.

Perfect thigh and butt exercise and a great way to reduce the winter dimples in the skin (skaters never get cellulite…) ice skating is underrated as exercise and sport, it’s also very social and fun.  Take your mates for a spin. Romantic too, if you like to take a circle around the rink with a loved one holding on.

After the rink there’s a wide choice of hot food and drinks, and a fully stocked bar too if all you want to do is go along for the tremendous atmosphere.

Grab it while you can, as it will be gone again for another year on the 15^th January. It’s a little quieter than before Xmas but just as much fun, with plenty of skates to hire, lockers, loo’s, viewing area and pretty good music provided by the local radio station the Pavilion Ice rink is a real January Winter treat.

From 10am every day until 9pm.

To book tickets see the website here

For the menu of the superb bar and restaurant see here

See you there!

Royal Pavilion Ice Rink

Brighton