National Ice Centre
BEST FOR
Ages 2+
ENTRY
from £6
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Nottingham
What it’s like
Public skating sessions with a proper Tots Zone for under-5s, penguin skate aids and all, right in the middle of Nottingham.
This is a working ice rink with a full timetable rather than one session a day, so there's a Parent and Tots slot on Monday mornings, a quieter Sunday morning session where staff actively encourage slower skating, and discos on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday for kids who want music and lights with their skating. Tots Zone turns up on Fridays and Sundays too, with equipment hire built round small skaters, penguins, mini zambonis, snowmen and the rest, so a wobbly three-year-old has something to hold onto besides your hand.
Skates come in from toddler size 5, and there are courses aimed at 2 to 4 year olds plus tots lessons for 3 to 5 year olds, some with a parent on the ice and some without. Skate hockey lessons start from age 4 if your child fancies something with a bit more purpose than gliding in circles. Under-5s go free, junior tickets are £12, adults £13, and equipment hire is £5 on top, so a family session adds up faster than the headline price suggests. Active Nottingham and Blue Light Card holders get it for £8, but only if you email 72 hours ahead, not something you can sort on the day.
Pushchairs are allowed straight onto the ice during public sessions, wheels wiped and straps tucked away, and there's storage if you'd rather leave it at the side. Wheelchair users can skate too, either in the chair or a purpose-built sledge that needs booking ahead, and an essential companion skates free. The T&D Cafe does hot drinks, pasties and sandwiches, though skates have to come off before you go in, so factor in a changeover if you're planning food straight after a session.
It's a short walk from Nottingham train station and just a few minutes from the Lace Market tram stop, useful if you're not driving in. A blue badge car park sits right next to the venue on Dean Street on a first come first served basis.
What’s on here
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 2 upwards, with Tots Zone and Parent and Tots sessions for the very small
- Parking
- Available within few minutes' walk
- Food
- T&D Cafe serving hot and cold drinks, coffee, tea, pasties, sandwiches and sweet treats
- Pushchairs
- Allowed on ice during public skating
- Wheelchairs
- Accessible by wheelchair or purpose-built sledge (sedge must be booked in advance)
- Dogs
- Assistance dogs welcomed. Please contact venue if attending during loud sessions
- Getting there by bus or train
- Train: Nottingham Station 10 min walk
- Worth knowing
- Skating lesson membership includes unlimited free public skating
- Skates have to come off before you go into the cafe, so budget time for the changeover
- Blue Light and Active Nottingham discounts need booking by email 72 hours ahead, not on arrival
- Sunday morning is the one to pick if your child is nervous on the ice
- Lockers, baby change and feeding facilities are on level 2 near the Encore toilets
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Under 5s skate free, juniors (6-15) are £12, adults £13 and seniors £6. Equipment hire is £5 extra, gloves and socks £2.50.
Is there a discount for local residents or key workers?
Active Nottingham and Blue Light Card holders get £8 entry, but you need to email the venue at least 72 hours before you go.
What age can kids start skating?
Skates are available from toddler size 5. There are courses for 2 to 4 year olds and tots lessons for 3 to 5 year olds.
Is there a session for very young children?
Monday's Parent and Tots slot runs 11am to 11.30am, and Tots Zone with smaller equipment hire runs on Friday and Sunday sessions.
Which session is calmest for a nervous skater?
Sunday morning, 10:30am to 12:30pm, has quieter music and skaters are encouraged to go slower.
Can we bring a pushchair onto the ice?
Yes, on any public session, as long as the wheels are reasonably clean and bags or straps are tucked away. There's storage too if you'd rather not.
Is it accessible for wheelchair users?
You can skate in a wheelchair or a purpose-built sledge, though the sledge needs booking in advance. An essential companion skates free.
Can we get food there?
The T&D Cafe does hot and cold drinks, pasties, sandwiches and sweet treats, but skates aren't allowed inside so you'll need to change out of them first.
Is there parking nearby?
There's parking a few minutes' walk away, plus a blue badge car park right next to the venue on Dean Street, first come first served.
Can we get there by train or tram?
Nottingham train station is a 10 minute walk and the Lace Market tram stop is about 3 minutes away. Several bus routes pass the venue too.
Can lessons be moved to a different time if we can't make it?
No, lessons can't be mixed, matched or rescheduled to another slot due to demand.
Are dogs allowed?
Assistance dogs are welcome, though it's best to contact the venue if you're coming during a loud session like a disco.
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