The town’s real ice rink opened on Friday night in the picturesque Calverley Grounds.
The opening ceremony took place in the beautifully lit park with skating performances by Silver Blades solo figure-skaters Dixie Bignell and Freya Godfrey, to an ice skating duet with Yasmin Kerkham and Cassie Stone.
The final performance was by British novice champion and twice Silver British Junior medallist Isabella Larkin. She is part of the GB performance team and the Olympic pathway team.
Councillor Jane March, Cabinet member with responsibility for Tourism, Leisure and Economic Development says ‘It’s great, the ice rink is up and running and ready to welcome you! More beautiful than ever in the glorious Calverley Grounds, if you haven’t visited before I urge you to do so, it’s a fantastic experience and you can extend your stay by shopping, eating and drinking.’
The ice rink will be open for public skating (excluding Christmas Day) until Sunday 4 January 2015. The cost for one’s hour skating, including hire of skating boots, will cost from £7 for children and £9.50 for adults.
It’s never too early to book your session and advance bookings are highly recommended as skating sessions around Christmas and the New Year sell out fast. Tickets for the ice rink can be booked online at www.tunbridgewellsatchristmas.com or from the Assembly Hall Theatre and Tunbridge Wells Gateway in person or by calling 01892 554645.
Family tickets, school and groups rates (15+) are available. Go! Card holders will enjoy concessionary rates. For those smitten with the skating bug, there will even be a loyalty card. Half hour parent and toddler sessions take place every morning at 10am and Monday and Friday at 2pm (Monday 24 November – Thursday 18 Dec) with main skating following every hour. Advanced booking is recommended at peak times – Thursday and Friday evenings, school holidays and all day Saturday and Sunday. Wheelchairs are welcome on the ice but must be pre-booked in advance.
For full details on ticket prices, session times and the dedicated parent and toddler sessions visit
www.tunbridgewellsatchristmas.com.
Authentic Christmas chalets will overlook the ice rink and local independent retailers will be offering a variety of quality products including Christmas gifts and local food and drink.
The chalets will be open every Friday to Sunday and from Monday 15 December (closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day).
See the building of last’s years ice rink at Calverley grounds here.