WHERE CAN I BUY TICKETS?
We recommend that all sessions are pre-booked to avoid disappointment. Tickets can be purchased from the kiosk on the ice rink by card only. This is a self-service method you can book at Customer Services, depending on availability.
HOW DO I RECEIVE MY TICKETS?
They will be emailed to the email address you used to book your tickets. Please show your tickets upon arrival. Phone first, paper second.
IS THERE CAR PARKING AVAILABLE?
There are over 500 car parking spaces in the garden centre car parks. When we are busy and parking spaces are limited, please leave plenty of time to get parked.
WHERE DO I GO WHEN I ARRIVE?
The ice rink will be located in the top car park by the food hall entrance.
We ask that all skaters arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of their skating session. We must, however, stress that we cannot be held responsible for customers arriving late and missing either part or all of their session. Customers arriving late will therefore have a shorter skate session or no skating at all, and will not be entitled to a refund.
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 through the store to the ice rink which is located in the top car park by the food hall entrance.
WHAT IS THE ICE RINK SIZE/CAPACITY?
Ice Rink and Skating guidelines outline that we can safely have 187 people on the ice at any one time – we choose to only allow 175 skaters on the rink at any one time to allow for a more enjoyable experience
IS THERE A MINIMUM AGE OR HEIGHT REQUIRED TO SKATE?
All children under 14 must be accompanied and supervised on the ice by a paying adult. All skaters must be a minimum of 3 years old.
There is no minimum height required to skate. Parents must judge whether their children are safe on the rink.
WHAT ARE THE ICE SKATE SIZES?
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.
WHAT ARE SKATE AIDS?
We have 22 Penguins, (a stand up push-along skate aid suitable for a child to push along) and 15 Bananas (suitable for two younger children to sit astride, and be pushed along by an adult).
Ice Rink and skating guidelines outline that we are safe to have the 22 Penguins and 15 Banana skate aids on the rink at any one time.
HOW DO I BOOK A SKATE AID?
You are able to book your skate aid when you book your ticket. We sell out of the skate aids very quickly, so please book online to avoid disappointment.
HOW LONG ARE THE SESSIONS?
Every session lasts 45 minutes with each session starting promptly on the hour. 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.
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 should 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.
WHERE CAN I LEAVE MY BAG?
Bags of any description are NOT permitted on the ice and there are no lockers at the ice rink. We do have a buggy park where you can leave any prams. 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.
IS THERE ANYWHERE FOR SPECTATORS TO SIT?
Our Christmas Food Market offers a great place to sit and watch all the Ice Skating fun and also offers a delicious range of refreshments, including a Bratwurst sausage in a bun, waffles and cakes. We will also be serving hot and cold drinks including Prosecco and Beer on tap.
ARE WHEELCHAIRS ALLOWED ON THE ICE?
Yes, although every wheelchair user must be accompanied by their own carer. The wheelchair user pays normal peak/off peak price, but the carer is free. Please email events@ruxley-manor.co.uk to book.
We are required to restrict the number of wheelchairs on the ice per session for safety reasons.
Carers can wear skates or their own shoes, but please ensure they are sturdy shoes with grip as it is slippery on the rink.
Wheelchairs are simply pushed carefully onto the ice and the brakes are then locked. If the ice is very glassy the wheelchair will naturally slide, if on the other hand it is rough it would be advisable to leave the brakes free.
CAN I SKATE ON CHRISTMAS DAY?
No, we are closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.
CAN I BOOK MULTIPLE TICKETS?
Yes, you can book up to 175 tickets (the maximum amount allowed for each session) via our website
Alternatively the whole rink can be booked for £500 (including all skate aids) in selected off peak sessions only. Please email events@ruxley-manor.co.uk for details.
BOOKING CONDITIONS & REFUND POLICY
All tickets once booked cannot be amended, transferred or refunded. Please ensure that you are confident in being able to fulfil your booking before completing the purchase of your tickets. However if we find it necessary to close the Ice Rink for any reason we will offer you a full refund or the option to book an alternative session, subject to availability.
WEATHER CONDITIONS
Weather conditions can affect the surface of the ice. Calm, cold days mean the ice surface will remain dry. Wind 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. We do try and predict weather changes but a layer of water over the ice does not make it unsafe to skate, although you may get wet if you fall over!
We do not offer refunds if the ice is wet due to weather conditions.
ARRIVING LATE
We ask that all skaters arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of their skating session. We must, however, stress that we cannot be held responsible for customers arriving late and missing either part or all of their session. Customers arriving late will therefore have a shorter skate session or no skating at all, and will not be entitled to a refund.
WHO SHOULD I CONTACT IF I HAVE A QUERY ABOUT MY TICKETS?
Please email our Events Team: events@ruxley-manor.co.uk
ICE SKATING GENERAL INFORMATION
Ice Rink and Skating guidelines outline that we can safely have 187 people on the ice at any one time – we choose to only allow 175 skaters on the rink at any one time to allow for a more enjoyable experience
Ice Rink and skating Guidelines outline that we are safe to have 22 Penguins and 15 banana skate aids on the rink at any one time
The Ice Marshals are there for your safety, please listen to them and adhere to their guidance
T&C – Risk Assessment Statement:
Please note that all users of the ice rink skate at their own risk.
Skaters and spectators are deemed to have knowledge of and assume the inherent risks which include, but are not limited to the following:
• Injuries resulting from collision or contact with other skaters; injuries resulting from falls; injuries that involve objects or artificial structures that are properly within the intended path of travel of the skater; injuries resulting from wet flooring.
• Please ensure you are physically able to skate – Skating is NOT suitable for pregnant women or anyone with a heart, back, knee or hip condition. Do advise ice rink management if you, or anyone in your party has a medical condition that may be affected by skating, lighting, loud music etc.
• Please follow the 10 Rules of the Rink (below)
Ice Rink Management
• Ruxley Manor holds the right to refuse entry/eject patrons from the rink without refund
• Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable, this includes if you are late or you miss your session.
• Refunds are only given at management discretion. In exceptional circumstances and at the sole discretion of Ruxley Manor Management, the rink may need to be closed. In this event, everything will be done to rearrange another convenient session for skating.
• Personal belongings are left at the owner’s risk.
• You must obey instructions given by the Ice Rink Management and Ice Marshals at all times
• Notify an Ice Marshal immediately if you are hurt, injured or someone not complying with rink rules
• Do not play with or move fire equipment
• Do not return to Skate Exchange if any alarms have been raised, follow all Ice Marshals directions
• In case of fire, report to the Fire Assembly Point by St Botolph’s Church
Rules of the Rink
1. Have Fun
2. All users of the ice rink skate at their own risk. Falling over is highly likely!
3. Please supervise your children at all times – their Health & Safety is your responsibility
4. Ensure you and your parties skates are properly fastened
5. Please skate with consideration for others at all times
6. Skate in an anticlockwise direction only
7. No smoking, alcohol, food or drink on the rink. Mobile phones and cameras are not advised on the rink.
8. No element of competition with speed / timed events or a human chain is not permitted
9. Please use skate aids with consideration as they can be dangerous to other skaters
10. Appropriate clothing must be worn, take care with long scarves and coats
Please note:
Skating is a sport with inherent risks and guests state at their own risk.
Injuries include, but are not limited to – cuts and bruises, strains and sprains, dislocation and fractures
Any skating deemed dangerous to others will not be tolerated. Failure to comply with the above rules may result in you being asked to leave the ice.
Ruxley Manor Garden Centre
Maidstone Road
Sidcup
Kent
DA14 5BQ
