Cardiff Winter Wonderland
BEST FOR
Ages 3+
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Cardiff
What it’s like
Free to wander around, with an outdoor ice trail through the castle grounds, a covered rink, a big wheel and funfair rides you pay for separately.
Getting in costs nothing. You only pay when you fancy a go on something, whether that's the ice rink, the ice trail winding through the castle grounds, the giant wheel or one of the funfair rides. There's live music dotted about too, so it's more of a wander-and-decide setup than a ticket-on-the-door one.
The rink itself is under cover, which matters more than you'd think, because the ice trail isn't. If your kids fancy the trail, dress them for outdoors properly and pack spare socks, since wet feet in skates for half an hour isn't much fun for anyone. Skating needs a ticket booked online in advance and there's no box office on site, just QR codes pointing you to the booking page, so sort that before you go rather than hoping to wing it.
Skate sizes can run out when it's busy, which is the sort of thing that would annoy you if you'd travelled a way to get there, so booking early rather than turning up hopeful seems the sensible move. There's no parking at the castle itself. Card only for everything on site, contactless preferred.
Suits kids from about three up, and the funfair rides and the trail give slightly older ones something to properly get their teeth into while younger ones can watch the wheel go round. Toilets and a changing places facility are on site, and wheelchairs are allowed on the ice, though electric wheelchair users may need to switch to manual and having a carer along is recommended.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Age 3 up, older kids get more out of the rink and rides
- Booking
- Ice rink tickets must be booked online in advance
- Parking
- No parking on site. Use city centre car parks
- Pushchairs
- Pushchair storage available. Check on site for details
- Wheelchairs
- Permitted on ice. Electric wheelchair users may need to switch to manual mode
- Bring spare socks if you're doing the ice trail, it isn't covered and feet get damp
- Book skating online ahead of time, there's no ticket desk on the day
- Skate sizes can sell out on busy sessions, so don't leave it too late to book
- Open bottles aren't allowed in, but sealed water is fine
- Anyone buying alcohol who looks under 25 will be asked for ID
Plan your visit
Do we have to pay to get in?
No entry fee, you just pay for whichever attractions you use, like the rink or the rides.
Do we need to book the ice rink in advance?
Yes, and there's no box office on site so it has to be done online beforehand. You can exchange tickets up to 24 hours before your session if plans change.
What if it rains or it's windy?
The main rink is covered so that carries on fine. The ice trail isn't covered, and in genuinely bad weather like high winds the whole site might close at short notice.
Is there parking?
Not at the castle itself. You're looking at the city centre car parks, which can fill up fast, especially if something else is on that day.
What age is it suitable for?
The minimum age listed is three. Little ones might just enjoy the wheel and the lights rather than skating.
Can we pay by cash?
It's card only across the site, and they prefer contactless.
Is it accessible for wheelchair users?
Wheelchairs are allowed on the ice, though electric wheelchair users may need to switch to manual mode. Bringing a carer or personal assistant along is recommended, and personal assistants get a free ride on the funfair when accompanying someone who needs the help.
Are the toilets accessible?
There's an accessible toilet and a changing places facility on site, plus regular toilets on City Hall Lawn and in the castle.
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