Ice Ice… Maybe?
It’s Cherrrissstmass! Which means there’s loads of outdoor ice rinks springing up. Time to get your skates on, people…
It’s dark and bitterly cold outside. So why is bunging on a few skates and going bum-over-boob on a load of ice such an appealing prospect? We’ve no idea, but we’re not going to question it too much. It’s a magic thing and, as we all know, magic doesn’t hold up to close inspection.
These ice rinks – or arenas of wonderment as we’ll now call them – are everywhere. We thought we’d flag up a couple of our favourites because, when it’s all said and done, there’s nothing better to do and nowhere better to go when there’s bugger all on the box, it’s dark and depressing outside and you’ve a load of warm coats and a loved one to drag down on to the ice with you.
But where can you do an impression of a jumper in a washing machine while you perch precariously on two thin slices of metal? And where can you feel the terror of leaving somewhere with less limbs than when you arrived? Be sure to send us your suggestions below, but here are a couple of ours.
Winter Wonderland, Cardiff
Parked in the civic centre, right outside the National Museum & Galleries Of Cardiff, Winter Wonderland is a belter. Local radio station Red Dragon broadcasts from the site, there’s a cool little bar and fairground nearby and there’s a load of ice on which to make a complete prat of yourself. What else do you want?
Natural History Museum, London
Where else can you feel like a better person and a complete berk at the same time? The ice rink outside the Natural History Museum in London, that’s where. Fill up on a load of knowledge inside, lose your dignity on the ice rink outside. Brilliant!
The Ice Factor, York
Rumoured to be the final time the ice rink will appear in this picturesque setting, we strongly urge welovelocal’s York locals to make the most of this beauty. At the Ice Factor, skaters navigate their way around an oak tree (some more successfully than others), while the Law Courts, Castle Museum and Clifford’s Tower look on. Not to be missed.
Somerset House
The rest of the UK may balk, but Somerset House could just be the Daddy of all Chrimbo ice rinks. Set in the breathtaking surroundings of Somerset House, you’d be hard pushed to find a more beautiful skating backdrop in the world. It’s also the tenth birthday of the ice rink at the House, which means there’s even more reason to celebrate this wonderful city-centre staple.
So, you’ve heard our suggestions. Got any in return? The comment box is below…
