Northwest Rollersports CIC
BEST FOR
Ages 3-99
ENTRY
from £2
WHERE
Atherton, Manchester
What it’s like
A no-frills rink where kids skate proper family sessions, learn from marshalls, and cheap admission beats most soft play.
Skating is the whole point here, and it's the family sessions that fill the floor rather than a fairground ride bolted onto a shed. Kids as young as three can get skates that fit, and there are Floor Skate Marshalls about on every session if someone needs a hand up off the floor. Tuesday evening, 4:45pm to 6:30pm, is the proper lesson slot at £6, worth booking into the diary if your child's wobbly on their feet rather than just turning up cold on a Saturday.
The week runs in odd little pockets rather than one set timetable. Monday evening goes late, 6pm to 9:30pm, Wednesday's a short 6pm to 7:30pm burst, Thursday's 5pm to 8pm, and Saturday is the big one, 11am to 7pm. School holidays add a 2pm to 4pm weekday slot, which is handy if you're stuck for something to do on a wet Tuesday in half term. Worth knowing that Saturday family sessions sometimes get bumped for hockey league games, so it's not always guaranteed to be open to the public at that time.
Money-wise it's fair for what you get: £6 a skater, £3 skate hire, £2 if a parent just wants to sit and watch. The family pass at £20 for four doesn't include skate hire on top, which stings a bit once you've added it up for everyone, but it still undercuts most days out. There's a café doing hotdogs and burgers plus a new coffee shop.
Birthday parties run their own separate time slots rather than fitting round the public sessions: Saturday and Sunday at 11am-1pm, 2pm-4pm or 5pm-7pm, Thursday 6pm-8pm, and Friday 5pm-7pm. Silver package is £13 a child with two hours skating and a party box, Gold's £15.50 with hot food instead, and both need a minimum of ten skaters. Under-12s need a responsible adult with them on the floor, which is fair enough given the speeds some of the older kids get up to.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 3 to 12, though adults skate too
- Booking
- No booking needed for public skate sessions
- Parking
- Free disabled parking in car park
- Food
- Café with snacks and drinks. Food court
- Parties
- Silver package £13 per child, Gold package £15.50 per child (min 10 skaters)
- Worth knowing
- Free family ticket for use on return visit included with children's party packages
- Family pass at £20 doesn't include skate hire, add £3 a head on top
- Tuesday's lesson slot runs 4:45pm-6:30pm, separate from the evening open session
- Party packages need a minimum of ten skaters
- Saturday family sessions can be bumped for hockey league fixtures
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£6 a skater, £3 for skate hire on top. Adults watching from the side pay £2, or there's a family pass at £20 for four which doesn't cover skate hire.
Do we need to book?
No, public skate sessions are just turn up. Lessons and parties are the exception, those you'd want to sort in advance.
What age can they start skating?
The skates fit from around three or four years old. Under-12s need a responsible adult with them.
What are the opening hours?
Monday 6pm-9:30pm, Tuesday 4:45pm-6:30pm, Wednesday 6pm-7:30pm, Thursday 5pm-8pm, and Saturday 11am-7pm. School holidays add a weekday 2pm-4pm slot.
Can we learn to skate?
There's a lesson slot on Tuesday evenings for £6, and Floor Skate Marshalls are on hand during every session if you just need a bit of help.
Is Saturday always open for family skating?
Usually, but family sessions can get cancelled if there's a hockey league game on, so it's not guaranteed every week.
What food is there?
A café with hotdogs, burgers and snacks, plus a coffee shop that's just opened.
Can you cater for allergies at parties?
Vegan, gluten free, dairy free and halal options are all catered for at parties.
What do birthday parties include?
Silver's £13 a child with two hours skating, skate hire, party room and a party box. Gold's £15.50 and swaps the box for hot food. Both need at least ten skaters.
When can we book a party?
Saturday and Sunday have three slots, 11am-1pm, 2pm-4pm and 5pm-7pm. Thursday's 6pm-8pm and Friday's 5pm-7pm.
Is there parking?
With free disabled parking in the car park as well as general spaces.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs?
There's an accessible toilet and the site describes itself as wheelchair accessible.
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