Chiltern View Ice Rink Review
DISCLOSURE – THIS EXPERIENCE WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST/S FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW.
Reviewed by Mel Randle
Last night we were invited as a family to attend the opening of Chiltern View Ice Rink at Chiltern View Garden Centre in Aylesbury. The rink is advertised as ‘The Biggest Ice Rink Around’ and ‘The ONLY real ice rink in Aylesbury’
It was quite the party – we were welcomed by Father Christmas on a motorbike, two reindeer had flown in for the evening, we rubbed shoulders with Mickey and Minnie, and even the Grinch got in the Christmas spirit! We enjoyed nibbles, pop cakes, drinks, entertainment from Suzanne Shaw and the fabulous La Voix! There were awesome ice dancers, a fire performer and the most wonderful human snow globe!
But, obviously you are not going to have this every day of the week on the run up to Christmas, so what can you expect from a visit to the rink…..
Most importantly it’s an outdoor covered ice rink, so you are good to go in all weathers! We dressed for winter but it wasn’t too cold, and after a couple of turns round the rink, we started to strip down!
The place is beautifully decorated! It literally is like a winter wonderland with everything from Christmas trees to Nutcrackers and Candy Cane. There are lots of Christmas ‘selfie spots’ and photo opportunities. It’s worth a wander round even if you are not a skater as the rink is free to enter if you are just spectating.
All skaters require a ticket and skate sessions are at allocated times. This will ensure the ice is never overcrowded and you won’t be hanging around waiting for space. Skates are included in the ticket price and skate aids can be hired in advance. My daughter (7) loved these as this is the first time we have had a skate aid that children can also sit on. We had our very own ‘polar bear’. For the first couple of laps my daughter sat on him and I pushed her round. As her confidence grew, she took the bear by the ears (literally) and took to her skates using the bear to hold onto. By the end of the session she had taken a few tentative steps unaided! Classic Christmas tracks and a disco ball added to the whole atmosphere.
For the non-skaters (my husband) and for pre and post skating, there is plenty of seating rink-side and a lovely café/licensed bar selling a selection of hot and cold food and drink. We enjoyed between us hot dogs, latte, beer, and candy floss, all reasonably priced (£4.50 for a hot dog) so we didn’t feel we had been robbed at the end of the night which very often happens at these sort of Christmas events. The bar is open to anyone who just fancies popping down for a drink and soak up the atmosphere.
At an extra cost of £5 per person you can enjoy a Virtual Reality sleigh ride in Santa’s Magical Sleigh. Check the website for age restrictions etc.
Chiltern Ice Rink is open everyday (except Christmas Day) until 31st December at Chiltern View Garden Centre, Wendover Road, HP22 5GX
Tickets and time slots can be booked online at chilternviewicerink.co.uk
There are some special entertainment events taking place. Please check website for details.
Rating: 5/5