Dundonald International Ice Bowl

Name: Dundonald International Ice Bowl
Address: 111 Old Dundonald Rd, Belfast, BT16 1XT, GB
Telephone: 028 9080 9100

Belfast

Courtesy of Dundonald International Ice Bowl

WHERE

Belfast

What it’s like

Ice skating on an Olympic size rink, tenpin bowling and jungle-themed indoor play, all under one roof.

Three things to choose between here, or all three if you've got the stamina. The rink is Olympic size, there are skating aids shaped like penguins and snowmen for kids working out their first steps on the ice, and a "tots" course runs for 3 to 4 year olds if you want them properly taught rather than just clinging to the barrier. Downstairs there's tenpin bowling, with glow-in-the-dark Xtreme sessions that come with a DJ, karaoke and prize giveaways, the sort of thing that turns a normal Tuesday into an event. Indiana Land is the jungle-themed indoor play bit for when small legs need a change of pace from ice and lanes.

Bowling is timed rather than by the game now, so you're booking either 30 minutes or an hour, and up to six people can pile onto one lane. They're firm that prebooking is essential for bowling, and online booking is strongly advised for the rink too if you're coming on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, since walk-ins only get in when a session isn't full. If you want it quieter, weekday term time and evenings are the ones they point to themselves.

One thing worth knowing before you pay: tickets can't be transferred, amended or refunded once bought. On busier days the skating aids also get rationed to 20 or 30 minutes per person rather than the whole session, which is a fair trade-off given how many families turn up wanting one.

Parking is free and on site, there's a lift and wheelchair access throughout, and a carer skates free if they're with a wheelchair user. Lockers need a £1 token from a vending machine in the rink, single use only, so bring a coin or two.

Facilities

Accessible toilet

Birthday parties

Blue badge parking

Booking required

Group bookings

Lockers

Food on site

Parking

Sensory friendly

Wheelchair accessible

Need to know

Best for: No set age limit for skating; tots courses for 3 to 4 year olds
Parking: Free car park on premises for all customers
Wheelchairs: Wheelchair accessible with lift access, free disabled parking, carers skate free with wheelchair user

Tickets can't be transferred, amended or refunded once bought, so pick your slot carefully
Skate sharpening is £10 a pair and can pause completely during peak holiday periods
Locker tokens are £1 from a vending machine in the rink, single use only
Tots skating courses run for 3 to 4 year olds if you want proper instruction

Plan your visit

Do we need to book?

Bowling, yes, prebooking is essential. For skating it's strongly advised on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays; other times you might get in as a walk-in if the session isn't full.

Is there a minimum age for skating?

No set minimum, it's left to the parent or guardian's judgement. The smallest skate size they stock is infant size 5.

What if my toddler can't skate yet?

There are penguin skating aids for children under 1.2 metres and snowmen aids for those between 1.2 and 1.5 metres, plus polar bear aids for under 1 metre. On busy days these get limited to 20 or 30 minutes per person rather than the full session.