Ice rink FAQs

Peak vs off peak

Peak Sessions:
Adult skate (18+ years) £20
Child skate (4-17 years) £15

• Wednesday: 4pm – 8pm

• Thursday: 4pm – 8pm

• Friday: 10am – 8pm

• Saturday: 11am – 9pm

• Sunday: 10am – 8pm

• School Holidays (19 December – 4 January): All sessions are peak

Off-Peak Sessions:
Adult off peak skate £17
Child off peak skate £12

• Monday: 3pm – 8pm

• Tuesday: 3pm – 8pm

• Wednesday: 12pm – 3pm

• Thursday: 12pm – 3pm

Hire & groups

Private hire £1225
School hire £400
Community hire £750

School groups
Wednesday & Thursday 12-1pm

Community groups
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 5-6pm

Private hire
Thursdays 6pm

Family fun sessions

These are for adults (18 years +) and children 4-12 years

Adult only sessions

These are for adults only (18 years+)

How do I pre-book book a session?

You can book online here.

Can I turn up on the day? 

We recommend that all sessions are pre-booked online to avoid disappointment and avoid queues on site at busy periods. Tickets may be booked on the day, subject to availability. 

How long is a skate session? 

Ice skating sessions on the ice are 45 minutes from the start of your timeslot. We allocate 15 minutes for changing into your ice skates.  

When should I arrive? 

Please arrive at the ice rink 15 minutes before your session start time to allow ample time to put your skates on and store any belongings. 

What happens if I arrive late? 

If you arrive late to the session, you will be granted access to the session. However, you will be asked to leave at the same time as other skaters within that session. You will not be able to skate into the later session. 

How old do you have to be to skate on the rink? 

To skate on the ice rink, you must be at least 4 years old. Family sessions will run on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Do I have to chaperone my children on the rink? 

Children 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult (18+) on the rink; adults and children must have tickets. One adult can supervise up to two children. 

Please be aware that skating is not recommended for individuals with serious illnesses, heart conditions, or pregnant women – it’s up to you to stay safe on the ice, so please be vigilant. 

What are peak and off-peak sessions? 

Peak sessions are the busier times to come skating and off-peak sessions are generally quieter. 

Quiet sessions

A session with minimal lights and music suitable for those with sensory sensitivities, also accessible for wheelchairs on the ice

Can I add tickets or amend my order? 

Tickets are non-refundable so please check your tickets carefully prior to checking out, as mistakes cannot always be rectified. 

If you can no longer attend the skate session you have booked and purchased you can exchange your tickets by contacting housemanager@watergatebay.co.uk Provided there’s availability, you can swap your skate session tickets for another date and time up to 48 hours before your original skate session is booked. Please be aware, if you wish to change your tickets from peak to off-peak you will not receive a refund for the difference in price. 

I can no longer attend; can I pass the booking on to friends/family? 

You are welcome to pass the tickets on to friends/family, please ensure you have sent your confirmation to whoever is attending prior to the session. Children’s tickets are not transferable to adults’ tickets.  

Will you provide ice skates?  

Yes, ice skates will be provided. We will have a range of sizes available for both children and adults. Skate size availability cannot be guaranteed as they will be issued on a first-come-first-serve basis. 

Can I bring my own ice skates?  

Skate hire is included in the ticket price, but you can bring your own skates if preferred.  

Watergate Bay Hotel Ltd is not responsible for your skates, shoes or property when skating at our rinks. The ice rink Manager will check your skates before the session to make sure they are adequate and meet our standards.  

There is not reduction in price if you bring your own skates. 

Can I book a skate aid? 

Skate aids will be available to hire on a first-come, first-served basis. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, child skate aids are only available for children under 120cm. Rink staff will measure all children hiring a skate aid to ensure they meet the height requirement. 

Can I bring my bag/belongings on the ice?  

Bags of any description are not permitted on the ice. You may leave your belongings underneath the bench where you change into your skates until you have finished your ice-skating session. Please note that leaving your belongings unattended is at your own risk.  

It’s best to leave valuables at home, in the hotel bedrooms or in your cars. Watergate Bay Hotel Ltd does not accept any liability for loss, theft or damage except if caused by intent or gross negligence of the company or its employees. 

What should I wear?  

We recommend wrapping up in warm, outdoor clothing. For your safety, we don’t allow long scarves or items of clothing that may trail on the floor and cause a hazard to other skaters. We also recommend you wear gloves to not only help with the cold, but also to aid traction on the ice when getting up should you have a fall.

As skates can get wet, it would be a good idea to bring a change of socks for after your session. 

If you fall over, you will get wet so you may wish to bring a change of trousers, just in case. 

Can I bring my dog? 

Guide dogs are allowed within the marquee, in the spectator area. Please be aware, the skate exchange is a busy area. On arrival you can ask a member of staff to escort you straight through to the spectator area.  

Where do I leave my shoes?  

You can leave your shoes with the ice-skating host who gives you your skates. Please note that Watergate Bay Hotel Ltd do not accept any liability for loss, theft or damage to your belongings except if caused by intent or gross negligence of the company and/or its employees.

What forms of payment will you accept at the ice rink?  

We will only accept card payments at the ice rink.

Is filming/photography on the ice allowed? 

Selfie sticks and go pro sticks are prohibited to use whilst skating on the ice rink. Spectators can use the spectator area to take any photos and videos. 

Do you have skate marshals? 

Yes, we have an onsite rink manager who will be monitoring the sessions.  

Do you have first aiders on-site? 

We have trained first aiders on site at all times in case of an incident. We do not require anyone to sign a waiver before skating. 

Is there wheelchair access? 

We recommend attending quiet sessions for a more enjoyable experience.

Is there a spectator area? 

Spectators can observe the rink and skaters for free from the spectator area. 

Can I park at the ice rink? 

Yes, the council car park will be open. Car parking is limited and on a first come first serve basis. Beach loft guests will still be able to access their parking spaces.

Is there somewhere to buy food and drinks at the rink before or after skating? 

There is a food and drink marquee at the ice rink. The Beach Hut will be open for bookings and there will be pizza.

Are there toilets at the rink? 

Yes, there will be toilets at the ice rink.

How does 'Skate and dinner at The Beach Hut' work?

Book your skate session through the skate booking page and book your dinner in The Beach Hut separately through The Beach Hut page.

To enquire about a group booking fill in our pre-booking form here for groups.

Or for school groups, complete a form.  

Can I book exclusive use? 

Yes, you can book the ice rink for exclusive use for a maximum of 70 people.  

If you are looking for a corporate event, we have the following package: 

Exclusive use hire of the ice rink for 1 hour (45 minutes skating and 15 minutes boot fitting)  

How does the weather affect the rink? 

The ice rink is inside a marquee, with a glass roof and sides.

Any cancellations regarding weather will be communicated before the session time.  

If your skate session is cancelled due to weather conditions, you can choose to reschedule or receive a refund for your ticket. 

Participating in ice skating carries an inherent risk, any participation is totally at the users’ own risk. Anyone with any medical conditions, serious previous injuries, recently broken bones, knee or joint problems, head injuries, pregnancy, mobility problems, or taking prescribed drugs should carefully consider whether it is safe for them to participate without endangering themselves or other participants whilst skating. Watergate Bay Hotel shall not be liable for any injury, loss or damage however caused, except for personal injury caused by negligence on behalf of Watergate Bay Hotel Ltd. 

Watergate Bay Hotel Ltd accepts no responsibility for any personal property left at the ice rink. Belongings left unattended are left at your own risk. 

Please read our full ice skating booking terms here.