HOW MANY PEOPLE DOES THE ICE RINK HOLD?

We choose to only allow up to 175 skaters on the rink for any one session although Ice Rink and Skating guidelines outline that for a rink our size we can safely have 187 people on the ice. The early morning sessions are normally slightly quieter if you feel that would suit your needs better.

HOW LONG ARE THE SESSIONS?

Our skating sessions are 45 minutes long with each session starting promptly on the hour.

WHAT TIME TO ARRIVE/WHAT IF I'M LATE?

We ask that all skaters arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of their skating session. We cannot be held responsible for customers arriving late and missing either part or all of their session. Customers arriving late will be allowed on the rink but will have a shorter skate session and will not be entitled to a refund.

IS THERE A MINIMUM AGE OR HEIGHT REQUIRED TO SKATE?

All skaters must be a minimum of 3 years old. If your child is 8 years or under they must be accompanied and supervised on the ice by a paying adult. If your child is 9-12 years they must have a responsible adult supervising them from the spectating area. There is no minimum height required to skate. Parents must judge whether their children are safe on the rink.

WHAT ICE SKATES ARE AVAILABLE?

Our Ice skates start from child’s size 8 going right through to an adult’s size 15. For very little feet we have a number of double bladed ‘Bob’ skates that fit over your child’s own shoes (please make sure they wear sturdy shoes as their shoes may get wet). All children must wear skates on the ice, even if they are on a skate aid. You are welcome to bring your own skates, although this will not alter the price of your ticket. Please notify one of our staff when you present your ticket.

CAN I WEAR MY OWN SKATES?

Yes, skate hire is included in the ticket price but you are welcome to wear your own hockey or figure skates. We will happily store your shoes for you whilst you skate.

WHAT SKATE AIDS ARE AVAILABLE?

We have 30 Penguins, (a stand up push-along skate aid) and 10 Bananas (a sit astride skate aid suitable for up to 2 younger children). These are available to hire for £5 each and can be purchased when you purchase your tickets (please book at time of booking as they sell out quickly). Ice Rink and skating guidelines outline that we are safe to have the 30 Penguins and 10 Banana skate aids on the rink at any one time.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

To make your visit as enjoyable as possible, we recommend that your clothing is suitable for your time on the ice as well as the weather. We advise that you wear trousers or tracksuit bottoms as these will dry quicker than denim if you get wet. Please bring long socks with you and have a warm waterproof jacket, gloves and hat ready for the action on the ice. We advise that children wear gloves.

WILL THERE BE SOMEONE TO HELP ME?

We have Ice Marshals available to assist you. There will always be an ice marshal on or near the rink to help you. They are there for your safety, please listen to them and adhere to their guidance.

CAN TRICKS BE PERFORMED ON THE ICE?

Our rink is a public rink which caters for all ages and abilities. The ice rink is not for professional use and as such skating at speed, skating backwards, tricks and acrobatics are not permitted – this is for the safety of all skaters.

ARE THERE RULES TO FOLLOW?

Yes we have 10 rules of the rink available further down on this page and called “Rules of the Rink”

IS IT REAL ICE?

Yes, our ice rink is real ice created by a matrix of pipes filled with incredibly cold liquid which keeps the rink frozen. The ice surface is maintained and regularly checked for quality and safety. The ice can be either wet or dry and both are perfectly suitable for skating.

IS WET ICE DANGEROUS?

No, Weather conditions can affect the surface of the ice. Calm, cold days mean the ice surface will remain dry. Wind across the surface of the ice causes friction which warms the surface of the Ice, resulting in a wet layer of water on the ice surface. Warm days can result in the marquee heating up, which again will result in a wet layer of water on the ice. If the ice surface is wet this does not make it unsafe to skate on. Ice, by its very nature is a slippery surface and slips and falls do happen therefore you may get wet if you fall over!

DO YOU OFFER DIFFERENT SESSIONS?

Yes, these are detailed below:

Regular Sessions –These sessions allow up to 175 skaters, 30 Penguins and 10 bananas on the rink.

Little Penguins – These session have reduced capacity, music and lighting for young child skaters. They allow up to 30 children but 60 participants (as adult goes free) and up to 30 skate aids on the rink.

Special Educational Needs Sessions (SEN) – These session have reduced capacity, music and lighting for SEN skaters. They allow up to 40 skaters but 80 participants (See carer goes free information below) and up to 40 skate aids on the rink.

ARE WHEELCHAIRS ALLOWED ON THE ICE?

Yes, although every wheelchair user must be accompanied by their own carer. The wheelchair user pays the standard session price, but the carer is free. We are able to accommodate manual and electric wheelchairs on the ice. There is no weight restriction for the type of wheelchair.
The motor must be turned off on all wheelchairs/specially adapted chairs as the motor melts the ice. It must be in manual mode. The carer must be in skates or in crampons. The carer must be comfortable on the ice/can skate.

WHERE DO I GO WHEN I ARRIVE?

The ice rink will be located next to the barbers at the back of the top car park. Please note that at peak times our car park can become extremely busy, and we ask that all skaters consider this fact when planning their journey. If you already have booked your ticket, please follow the directional signs to the ice rink which is located in the top car park.

At the end of the session you will be asked to vacate the rink via a public address system. Please leave the rink promptly to allow for re-surfacing of the ice by our Ice Marshals. This is an important part of the ice management process and will ensure everyone has an enjoyable ice skating experience.

WHERE CAN I LEAVE MY BELONGINGS?

We will exchange your shoes for skates and will store your shoes while you skate. Bags of any description are NOT permitted on the ice and there are no lockers at the ice rink. Ruxley Manor accepts no responsibility for personal belongings left.

WILL THERE BE MUSIC PLAYING WHILST I AM ICE SKATING?

Yes, of course! Ruxley Manor’s ice rink features an integral professional PA/sound system that will play popular music throughout your skating session. Our Ice Marshals will be able to communicate with skaters via the PA system. We have reduced music during SEN sessions.

IS THERE ANYWHERE FOR SPECTATORS TO SIT?

Yes, there is seating around the rink where you can sit and watch all the Ice Skating fun. We also have a delicious range of refreshments.

CAN I SMOKE OR VAPE?

Smoking and vaping are not permitted at the venue.

CAN I BRING MY DOG

No dogs are permitted inside the venue (except assistance dogs).