Winter wonderlands: snow and ice days out

Liven up chilly days with our round-up of the UK’s best ice rinks, indoor snow domes and magical winter landscapes. By Natalie Glock

 

Whatever the weather decides to do, there are a host of winter wonderlands popping up across the country, crying out for that re-enactment from It's a Wonderful Life that has evaded you for so long.

 

GO FOR SNOW

Snozone, Milton Keynes, Bucks; Castleford, W Yorks; Braehead, Renfrew

www.snozone.co.uk

Indoor snow domes don't come more equipped than Snozone's three sites in Milton Keynes, Castleford and Braehead, Scotland. The real snow slopes are a favourite with skiing and snowboard aficionados and are perfect for beginner's lessons, but the equally enjoyable tobogganing and ice slides will add that little extra Christmas fun and the kids can go sledging with Santa on Christmas Eve.

 

 

The Chill Factor, Trafford Way, Manchester

www.chillfactore.com

Home to the largest indoor slope in the country, Chill Factor in Manchester has something for everyone thanks to their family friendly luge and tube runs, not to mention the cute Snowplay centre for kids aged from two to 10. Factor in the year-round alpine village and Santa's Grotto from the November 21 until Christmas Eve, and you've got the perfect winter wonderland all under one roof. 

 

 

The real thing, in the Scottish Highlands

For lovers of the great outdoors and when only the real deal will do, the Scottish Highlands have countless perfect winter landscapes, and skiing and snowboard fans flock each winter to the five main ski resorts of Cairngorm, Glenshee, Nevis range, Glencoe and the Lecht. For up-to-the-minute snow reports and information on accommodation go to the Visit Scotland ski website.

 

 

 

ON ICE

Christmas lights can only go so far in marking the Christmas countdown, but the arrival of the country's temporary ice rinks means there's a reason to get your skates on and indulge in some wintry fun.

 

 

Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park, London
21 November 2009 - 3 January 2010, www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

London's largest temporary ice rink opens its door once again this year in Hyde Park as part of an enchanting Winter Wonderland. Once you've skated under the stars, the German Christmas market, ice palace, Snowball bungee, Zippo's Christmas Circus and festively themed food hall beckon for the ultimate Christmas precursor.

 

 

Natural History Museum's ice rink and Christmas fair, London
5 November 2009 - 17 January 2010, www.nhmskating.com

Set in the museum's gardens, this 900-square-metre ice rink offers a striking backdrop for outdoor skating. In addition to the main rink there will be a children's rink for younger skaters, the stylish Café Bar and a classic fairground carousel. Surrounded by 76,000 fairy lights in the nearby trees, it's the perfect way to welcome in the winter season with family and friends.

 

 

Skate at Somerset House, London
17 November 2009 - 24 January 2010, www.somersethouse.org.uk

If Hyde Park is the largest, then Somerset House's ice rink is the most glamourous of London's rinks, and this year celebrates it's 10^th birthday. Set in the 18th-century courtyard and overlooked by the Tiffany tree, the beautiful outdoor rink is open all day into the evening, and promises chic extras such as screenings of 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' during Saturday morning sessions and the comforting hot drinks supplied in The Skate Café and Bar.

 

 

The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol
12 November 2009 - 9 January 2010, www.mallcribbs.com

Centrally located, Bristol's outdoor rink, the largest in the South West, is the perfect antidote to stressed-out Christmas shopping. Relax and have fun with your skates on, visit Santa's castle with the kids and swap the stores for a traditional Christmas market.

 

 

Skating at the Centre of Life, Newcastle
14 November 2009 - 21 February 2010, www.life.org.uk 

The Centre of Life in Newcastle plays host to the Northeast's most popular ice rink throughout the winter months, now in its ninth successful year. By opting for the combo ticket offer, families will receive a skating session as well as access to the centre's exhibitions and theatre.

 

 

Ice skating at the Eden Project, Cornwall
24 October 2009 - 21 February 2010, www.edenproject.com

For a more surreal but no less beautiful setting for outdoor skating, why not try the rink set amid the greenhouse biomes of Cornwall's Eden Project. The rink is surrounded by fir trees and silver birches filled with lights, as part of the Christmas Winter Wonderland - this year there is the added opportunity to learn curling on the ice.

 

 

Spinningfields ice rink, Manchester
12 November 2009 - 3 January 2010, www.spinningfieldsicerink.co.uk 

Hardman Boulevard at Spinningfields will be transformed into the ultimate winter fun from the middle of November complete with ice rink, sparkling Christmas trees, contemporary yuletide decorations and plenty of quality eateries in the vicinity. Exciting new attractions this year will include a magical carousel ride and temporary arctic bar The North Pole.

  

 

The Ice Factor, York
14 November - 3 January 2010, www.theicefactor.co.uk

Back for its fifth consecutive year, York's open-air ice rink, the Ice Factor, offers certainly one of the country's most picturesque outdoor rinks. Skaters glide around an illuminated oak tree in the centre of the 600 sq m rink, overlooked by the spectacular facades of the 13th-century Clifford's Tower, the Law Courts and the Castle Museum, right in the centre of historic York.

 

 

Galway Bay on Ice,

1 December 2009 - 10 January 2010, www.discoverireland.com

Visitors to Galway Nimmo's Pier at The Claddagh, will see it transformed in December into one of Ireland's premier Christmas attractions this year. Consisting of an 800square metre indoor skating arena. Galway Bay on Ice will be a Magic Winter Wonderland, with Ice Café and Viewing Gallery - an event which will cater for all the family.

 

 

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