Grimsby Ice Rink
BEST FOR
Ages 0+
ENTRY
from £1
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Grimsby
What it’s like
Public skating sessions on an indoor rink, with penguin and polar bear aids for wobbly first-timers.
Sessions run for an hour and a half, and that's plenty of time to go from clinging to the barrier to actually gliding, especially if you book one of the skate aids. The penguins and polar bears are there for exactly that reason: two sizes of frame to hold onto while little legs work out what ice actually wants from them. Skate hire is separate from admission and sizes run from an infant 4 up to a 15, though the site is upfront that both hockey and figure skates are subject to availability, so don't bank on a specific style if you've got your heart set on one.
Booking is done online in advance and it isn't optional. Turn up without one and you risk being turned away if the session's full, which feels like a faff until you remember it also means the ice won't be rammed when you get there. Under-13s need an adult in the building at all times, and the Saturday night disco is reserved for over-13s or confident skaters, so that's not the one for a first go on the ice with a six-year-old.
Beginners get a proper structured route in with the Skate UK lessons, running through progressive levels, and there's a Passport to Hockey route too if your child fancies sticks over spins. A Record of Achievement booklet is £5 if you want the progress written down somewhere other than a proud parent's memory. Ice discos add a bit of theatre to the same skating for £8, and spectators can watch for £1 if not everyone in your group fancies lacing up.
Parking is free right outside the front entrance, which takes one cost off the day. Lockers are £1, or £2 if you want phone charging built in, worth grabbing if you don't fancy holding your coat rinkside for ninety minutes. Wheelchair access is limited on the ice itself to manual chairs with staff help, and the rink building itself has no disabled facilities, though the leisure centre next door does.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Good for all ages, though under-13s need an adult with them throughout
- Booking
- Online booking required in advance
- Parking
- Free car park outside front entrance
- How long to allow
- 1 hour 30 minutes per session
- Wheelchairs
- Manual wheelchairs allowed on ice
- Dogs
- Service animals only
- Parties
- Birthday parties available Saturdays 5:30pm or Sundays 4:30pm with optional studio hire and ice marshal
- Skate sizes run from infant 4 to a 15 but styles are subject to availability, so don't count on a specific figure or hockey skate
- Lockers are £1, or £2 for one with phone charging
- A Record of Achievement booklet is £5 if you want lesson progress logged
- Sessions can be affected by private hire or hockey matches, so it's not always a straightforward public skate
- You'll get a QR code by email after booking that staff scan you in with
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Public skate admission is £6.45, with skate hire an extra £2.60. Spectators watching from the side pay £1.
Do we need to book?
Booking online in advance is required, and it is only done through their booking system. Walk-ins can be turned away if the session is already full.
How long is a session?
Sessions last an hour and a half. They ask that you don't arrive more than 15 minutes early, since they need the gap between sessions for maintenance.
Is it suitable for young children?
Children are welcome at public and family disco sessions, and skate aids called penguins and polar bears are available to hire for £5 to help smaller skaters balance. Under-13s must have an adult with them in the building.
What about the Saturday night disco?
That session is reserved for over-13s or confident skaters, so it is not the one to pick for a first attempt on ice with younger children.
Can beginners get lessons?
There are 30 minute beginner lessons for £7.45 including skate hire, plus a structured Skate UK programme running through progressive levels for those who want to keep improving.
Is there parking?
Yes, there is a large free car park right outside the front entrance.
Can we bring our dog?
Only service animals are allowed inside the building.
Is the rink wheelchair accessible?
Manual wheelchairs are allowed on the ice with staff assistance, though there is a possible step down to manage. The rink building itself has no disabled facilities, but the neighbouring leisure centre does.
Can we book a birthday party?
Parties are available on Saturdays at 5:30pm or Sundays at 4:30pm, with the option to add studio hire and an ice marshal.
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