Fewer things scream festive season than both young and old all wrapped up warm, holding hands, and ice skating around a picturesque venue altogether, so get your skates on and go check out our guide to the best pop-up rinks around the country.
Edinburgh – St Andrew Square
Starting in Scotland the oval ice rink at St Andrew Square, Edinburgh loops around the Melville Monument - hire a pair of skates and spin across the ice behind a gorgeous backdrop of the glittering city.
Newcastle – Centre For Life
Whether you are one of the thousands keen to have a winter whirl on the ice or just happy standing with a hot drink in hand watching people fall over, the Centre for Life’s annual ice rink is an eagerly-awaited annual treat.
When it comes to seasonal signposts, the Skating@Life open air rink has worked its way right up the festive charts in the city to be right up there with Fenwick’s window.
York – Designer Outlet, Fulford
The Ice Factor will boast its biggest rink ever this year – at an astounding 975sqm, it’s the biggest in the north of England. With its iconic 30ft high Christmas tree, the rink and its surroundings, set in Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland, will once again be inspired by the magic of Christmas.
Cardiff – City Hall
The Welsh capital's Winter Wonderland is situated right outside the splendid Edwardian baroque City Hall and university buildings. Alongside the open-air ice rink, there will be a ferris wheel, a rinkside café and live music. Cardiff Castle and the town centre are a few minutes' away, where the best independent shops are to be found in the Victorian shopping arcades. The Winter Wonderland will also provide the backdrop for Calennig (meaning 'New Year's gift'), the city's traditional New Year's Eve celebrations.
Manchester – First Street, Deansgate Locks
In a new location this year the 70ft x 50ft ice rink can cope with up to 100 skaters at any one time and is open seven days a week.
Promoters say the First Street attraction will welcome visitors of all ages and abilities, with the trusty penguins on hand to help stabilise any wobbly skaters.
And for those considering an after-skate meal, there are plenty of food and drink options on First Street offering 10 per cent off for all ice skating ticket holders.
London – Natural History Museum
On Exhibition Road stands the Romanesque home of the Natural History Museum, and in its grounds is one of the prettiest skating rinks in London. It is surrounded by trees draped in 80,000 fairy lights, and there is a separate rink for younger children.
London – Somerset House
Glide in the tracks of Pippa Middleton, Julien Macdonald, Paloma Faith and many others, at one of the loveliest ice rinks in the country, set in the fountain court of neoclassical landmark Somerset House. With musical takeovers from Peckham-based radio station Balamii, an R&B night with Supa Dupa Fly and lots more guests, ice skating at Somerset house just got even better.
Brighton – Royal Pavilion
The ice rink outside the Royal Pavilion in Brighton is romantic, fun and always busy. Make sure that you book now to get the dates that you’d like, then enjoy skating underneath the pavilion with its illuminating light show. The bar is adjacent to the rink, providing mulled wine and cider, plus food all day long.